We use volunteers in three areas. Click each link below to read details about each:

Volunteer for events throughout Texas

Volunteer at the Training Center in Dripping Springs

Foster a dog in your home for nights and/or weekends

The training for assistance dogs is highly specialized and only very experienced trainers work directly with the dogs. However, you will be around our dogs almost every time you volunteer.

Adult volunteers of all ages are welcome. Children 7-18 may volunteer with a parent present at all times. All volunteers must comply with the volunteer guidelines and all safety procedures.

Something comfortable and easy to clean! Wear shoes with good traction to prevent slipping. Please note, we do not allow flip flops, sandals or open toed shoes for safety reasons.

If you need anything special, SDI will provide it.

We’ll keep track for you. The volunteer log is located in the Volunteer Coordinator’s office where you sign in and out. This helps SDI track your time and is also important information when we apply for grants where volunteer hours and activity are considered.

Volunteer Hours Tracker

Please address any concern directly with the Volunteer Coordinator or staff. If you need further help you can contact any of our executive team listed on the “Contact Us” page of our website at www.servicedogs.org

Committed volunteers improve our training program and we are grateful! We try to keep an upbeat atmosphere and expect people to have fun as long as we are being productive in the process. However, if you do not follow our guidelines with the dogs you can actually hinder the training process.

Our dogs are not pets! You may not interact with them freely as you do your own pets or other animals. You must be conscious during each of your interactions with our dogs and not approach, pet or interact without a trainer’s guidance. If you have questions please ask. The Volunteer Coordinator or staff can answer all your questions.

If you sign up for an activity we are counting on you to be there. If you must cancel please do so as soon as possible, preferably 2 days before the activity to allow us time to find someone else. If you “no show” more than 2 times without notice, we will not schedule you again.