Volunteering to help train Service Dogs isn’t just about working with dogs — it’s about changing lives. These incredible animals provide critical support to individuals with disabilities, veterans coping with trauma, and people facing a range of challenges that make daily life more difficult. Becoming part of their journey can help someone regain independence, build confidence, and experience greater joy in everyday moments.

If you love dogs, imagine the fulfillment of bonding with a pup who will grow into someone’s lifeline. For families, training a service dog together can be a deeply meaningful experience that teaches empathy, responsibility, and the power of teamwork. And if you’re simply someone looking to give back, this is a unique and impactful way to make a real difference in your community.

You don’t need to be an expert — just someone with patience, compassion, and the willingness to learn. Whether fostering a dog in training, helping with socialization outings, or supporting trainers through volunteer work, there are countless ways to get involved and be part of something life-changing.

Why Service Dogs Matter

Service Dogs assist people with a wide range of disabilities, including mobility challenges, PTSD, hearing or vision impairments, and medical conditions like epilepsy or diabetes. These dogs undergo extensive training — often at a cost of thousands of dollars — to learn tasks like retrieving items, alerting to sounds, or providing emotional support. Since receiving nonprofit status, Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities (ECAD) has placed over 350 Service Dogs nationwide.

Ways to Volunteer

There are many ways you can be part of the incredible journey of transforming tiny puppies into confident, capable Service Dogs. And you don't have to be a dog handler to make a difference! Various volunteer opportunities are available if you enjoy organizing and promoting events, securing gift donations, writing grants, designing graphics, or lending a helping hand.

Weekend Puppy Raising

If you love dogs but aren’t ready for full-time pet ownership — or if you’re still deciding if a dog is right for your family — ECAD’s Home for the Weekend Program could be the perfect fit.

Our Home for the Weekend program offers a unique opportunity to welcome a dog into your home part-time. As a weekend fosterer, you'll help teach essential house manners, expose the dog to new environments, and reinforce basic obedience skills — all while enjoying the companionship of a well-trained pup. It’s a great way to support our mission and experience the joy of having a dog on a schedule that works for you.

Nursery Team Volunteers

ECAD puppies begin the next phase of their journey at eight weeks old with our dedicated nursery families. These compassionate volunteers play a vital role by opening their homes, hearts, and lives to guide the young dogs through their first steps toward becoming Service Dogs.

Nursery families open their homes to a young puppy, typically eight to ten weeks old, for six to seven months, with the option to extend the stay for an additional period. During this time, families help the puppy learn basic commands such as “sit,” “come,” “down,” and “stay” while also introducing essential household manners and exposing the puppy to new environments and experiences.

ECAD provides the puppy, food, and crate — you give the love, time, and care that help shape a future service dog!

Youth Volunteers

Suppose you're a young person who loves dogs and wants to make a meaningful impact by helping individuals in need receive the well-trained Service Dogs they deserve. Then the ECAD Youth Volunteer Program might be the perfect opportunity for you.

At ECAD, we rely on dedicated volunteers to help care for our dogs and maintain the facilities where we train these incredible future Service Dogs. Join us and be part of a mission that changes lives — one paw at a time.

Additional Volunteer Opportunities

• Drive the ECAD bus for community events or training field trips with clients and/or student trainers. 
• Help out with client-based events such as team training and graduation. Needs include preparing rooms for clients' arrival, organizing a welcome breakfast or lunch, creating and sending out graduation invitations, decorating, or organizing a graduation dinner.
• Support our fundraising efforts by obtaining financial donations or gifts-in-kind from individuals, groups, or businesses.
• Assist with facility improvements at our training centers. Needs include building and maintaining covered outdoor runs, wheelchair-friendly landscaping, storage facilities, and paving. Some projects will also require volunteers to raise funds or obtain supplies through donations.

Getting Started

Ready to make a difference? Here's how to begin:

• Research Organizations: Identify organizations whose mission aligns with your interests and availability.
• Attend Orientation: Most programs require volunteers to attend an orientation session to understand their responsibilities and the organization's expectations. 
• Complete Necessary Training: Some roles may require additional training or background checks. 
• Stay Committed: Consistency is key in training Service Dogs. Ensure you can commit to the schedule and responsibilities outlined by the organization.

How to Obtain a Service Dog 

ECAD breeds Service Dogs and trains them as puppies. By the time they’re 9 months old, puppies know basic commands. They then undergo extensive training for 18 to 24 months before being matched with a person. Trainers individualize the final training after identifying a potential match. When a client arrives for team training, the dog has had up to 1,500 hours of training and socialization. Contact ECAD to learn more or apply for a Service Dog.

Help Us Transform the Lives of People Living With Disabilities

Volunteering to help train Service Dogs is more than just spending time with adorable puppies — it's about changing lives. Your contribution can empower individuals with disabilities to lead more independent and fulfilling lives. Whether you raise a puppy, foster, or assist in other capacities, your efforts are invaluable. 

Everyone can help people with disabilities through Service Dogs. Support us with a donation, a bequest, or planned giving; contribute to our wish list; or create a fundraiser. Your support can change, or even save, someone’s life!