Volunteer with dogs.
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Help give a pup the best possible start and receive plenty of puppy love in return!
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Do you live near or commute past Bald Hills on a daily basis? Help support our training program as a Bed and Breakfast boarding carer.
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Becoming a boarding carer is the most flexible option to volunteer with our dogs, as we look for both long-term and short-term carers who can look after the dogs on an “as needed” basis.
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Are you interested in welcoming one of our exceptional breeding dogs into your home?
Get involved with our dogs and puppies
There are many ways to get involved with our dogs and puppies.
Our dogs might be the furry faces of our organisation, but it’s the dedication of our incredible volunteers that makes their success possible. You could support their journey by becoming a puppy raiser, a boarder, a bed and breakfast carer or a breeding carer.
Future Guide Dogs require different levels of care and commitment at all stages of their journey, so we are always in need of more generous people to share their time with them.
It takes a lot of time, patience, commitment and love to raise Guide Dogs.
From the time our puppies are born, they begin training to become life-changing Guide Dogs. They rely on lots of special people throughout their journey, and that’s where volunteers like you come in.
Puppy Raising
Become a puppy raiser and give a pup the best possible start.
You could be a puppy raiser for a six-month period, introducing the pup to all of the environments they will need to be comfortable working in when they are a Guide Dog.
Raising and training a puppy is an amazing experience that is incredibly rewarding for the whole family.
Bed and Breakfast Carer
Looking for a part-time pal? Our unique bed and breakfast homestay program is perfect for you.
You will host one of our dogs in your home during evenings and weekends for up to 20 weeks.
Each weekday morning, you’ll bring the dog to our Bald Hills campus before 7:30am for their full day of training. At 4pm, after their busy day, you’ll collect your dog, ready to unwind in your cozy home.
Experience the joy of sharing your home with one of our dogs without the full-time commitment and play a vital role in their journey to becoming a Guide Dog.
Find out more about bed and breakfast carer responsibilities
Boarding Carer
If you’re looking for a new pal with a flexible commitment, dog boarding could be just for you.
Becoming a boarding carer is the most flexible option to volunteer with our dogs, as we look for both long-term and short-term carers who can look after the dogs on an “as needed” basis, with most boarding cases starting at a minimum of a week long.
As a boarding carer, you need to be able to provide a safe and comfortable environment for the dog. You will have the support of our team, who will make sure you have all the skills and equipment you need. All expenses including food, equipment, and veterinary visits will be covered by Guide Dogs.
Breeding Carer
Are you interested in welcoming one of our exceptional breeding dogs into your home?
While our breeding dogs don’t require the same commitment to training as those in our training program, they can be comfortably left at home for up to four hours at a time.
As part of the program, our breeding carers attend regular handler classes every two months. These dogs are the best of the best, having completed 12 months in the puppy raising program and part of their Guide Dog training, as well as extensive health screenings. We provide their food, preventative treatments, and vet expenses during their time in the program, as well as boarding support if you need to go on vacation. Once their careers come to an end, they typically retire with their loving family for good.
Meet some of our Puppy Raisers
Meet Leesa: Graphic Designer, Art Gallery Owner and Puppy raiser!
Leesa from Red Hill is one of our more experienced Puppy raisers, having just welcomed her seventh pup into her home.
Leesa is a terribly busy professional, running both her own graphic design business and an art gallery! She is proof you can have both a demanding and rewarding professional life while still maintaining time for puppy love – a combination we are so grateful for here at Guide Dogs.
Meet Carlo: Self-employed apartment resident and long time Puppy raiser!
Carlo is a long-time Puppy raiser for Guide Dogs, having now raised five pups. Volunteering as a second-stage Puppy raiser, Carlo looks after pups in the six-to-nine-month age range, which he says works well with his lifestyle.
Carlo is a self-employed financial advisor and works from home the majority of the time.
Volunteer to support a future Guide Dog
Expression of Interest
Existing Volunteers
Already a volunteer?
Visit our volunteer portal, Canine Connect here.
Ready to continue?
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