Become a Volunteer

Make a difference and change lives by raising a puppy! Puppy raisers welcome a 9-week-old puppy into their home to socialize and teach them foundational skills for 15-18 months. No experience is necessary. We will teach you everything you need to know about raising an assistance dog.

Our puppy raisers live in single family homes, townhouses, and apartments – some with fenced yards and others without. They have dogs, cats, rabbits, and fish or are currently not pet owners. They live in urban, suburban, and rural areas. They work full- or part-time, attend school, and are retired. No matter their differences, they have one thing in common – the desire to change lives!

We have puppy raising programs in Grantville, Malvern, and State College and ask that you live within an hour’s drive.

Raiser Responsibilities

• Attend regular puppy classes for one hour every week for the first 9 weeks and then 2-3 times per month until the dog is approximately 18 months old
• Participate in public outings throughout the year – many outings are hosted in your local community
• Teach the puppy good house manners and basic cues and skills as instructed by our professional trainers
• Take the puppy to new and interesting places, such as stores, parks, restaurants, and more

Susquehanna Service Dogs covers all veterinary costs and provides monthly heartworm, flea, and tick preventatives. While each puppy raiser receives a starter kit of food, toys, and supplies, they are responsible for providing program-approved food, treats, and toys for the puppy while in their care.

Application Process

• Complete the online application. You will receive a welcome email with information about upcoming orientation times after we process your application. (Please allow 10 business days for processing.)
• Attend our orientation and clicker training class and observe a puppy class.
• Complete a home visit conducted by one of our volunteers and an Ambassador dog or dog in training.

Apply to Raise a Puppy

Our Campus Puppy Raising Programs give college students a unique opportunity to raise assistance dogs and change the lives of others. Students enhance their time management and leadership skills, while dogs in training become well-socialized and enriched by their surroundings.

Students raise a puppy for 15-18 months. They attend puppy classes, teach the puppies good house manners and basic skills and cues, and take the dogs on outings to new and interesting places.

We will work with students and college administrators to develop puppy raising programs that best fit students and the structure of the college. For more information about starting a program on your campus, email [email protected].

Current Campus Puppy Raising Programs

• Penn State University, Roar for More – classes held on PSU main campus
• Millersville University, Paws on Deck – classes held in Grantville, PA
• Elizabethtown College, Dogs in the Dell – classes held in Grantville, PA

Raiser Responsibilities

• Attend regular puppy classes for one hour every week for the first 9 weeks and then 2-3 times per month until the dog is approximately 18 months old. During college breaks, dogs must continue their training by attending classes. If necessary, the dog may need to go to a puppy sitter during these times.
• Participate in public outings throughout the year.
• Teach the puppy good house manners and basic cues and skills as instructed by our professional trainers.
• Take the puppy to new and interesting places, such as stores, parks, restaurants, and more.

Susquehanna Service Dogs covers all veterinary costs and provides monthly heartworm, flea, and tick preventatives. While each puppy raiser receives a starter kit of food, toys, and supplies, they are responsible for providing program-approved food, treats, and toys for the puppy while in their care.

Application Process

• Complete the online application. You will receive a welcome email with information about upcoming orientation times after we process your application. (Please allow 10 business days for processing.)
• Attend our orientation and clicker training class and observe a puppy class.
• Complete a home visit conducted by one of our volunteers and an Ambassador dog or dog in training.

Apply to Become a Campus Puppy Raiser

Puppy sitting is a great way to get involved with our assistance dogs in training without the full-time commitment of raising a puppy. You choose when you sit to fit with your schedule!

Sitters play an important role in our dogs’ training. By watching one of our dogs for a short amount of time, you’ll give the dog valuable experiences in a new home and routine, which help make the dog’s transition to advanced training and their partners much smoother.

Our puppy sitters live in single family homes, townhouses, and apartments – some with fenced yards and others without. They have dogs, cats, rabbits, and fish or are currently non-pet owners. They live in urban, suburban, and rural areas. They work full- or part-time, attend school, and are retired. No matter their differences, they have one thing in common – the desire to change lives!

Application Process

• Complete the online application. You will receive a welcome email with information about upcoming orientation times after we process your application. (Please allow 10 business days for processing.)
• Attend our orientation and clicker training class.
• Attend a puppy sitter-specific training class.
• Complete a home visit conducted by one of our volunteers and an Ambassador dog or dog in training.

Once you’ve completed all the requirements and are approved, you will be added to our email list. Whenever we have dogs in need of sitters, you will receive an email, and you can choose the sitting opportunities that work for you.

Apply to be a Puppy Sitter

Our Canine Enrichment Program ensures the adult dogs in our Advanced Training program experience mental, physical, and social stimulation in addition to their daily time working with our professional trainers.

This program includes group dog play, decompression time with volunteers, and a variety of activities to activate various parts of their brains. This is a great opportunity for volunteers who are seeking hands-on work with adult dogs but aren’t able to be a raiser or sit a dog in their home. Additional training is required for this volunteer position. Our Canine Enrichment volunteers begin as Kennel Helpers and have the opportunity to move into other roles as their experience grows.

Application Process

• Complete the online application. You will receive a welcome email with information about upcoming orientation times after we process your application. (Please allow 10 business days for processing.)
• Attend our orientation and clicker training class.
• Complete the Kennel Helper training program.

Apply to be a kennel helper

SSD has many more ways for you to get involved. Some involve working with our dogs, while others don’t. Every opportunity plays an important role in moving our mission forward. Some examples of opportunities include weeding flower gardens, vacuuming and washing dog transport vehicles, power washing, and more.

We are also always looking for volunteers interested in organizing a wish list donation drive.

Complete the online application, sign up for an orientation class, and learn more about how you can support our mission to change lives!

Sign up to volunteer