It Starts with a Puppy…and Someone Like You!
Help Dogs Change Lives
The way we spend our free time can hold more meaning than we think.
A few hours here. A free weekend there.
But if you’re thinking of giving back, your time can become something more—offering hope to others and reaching farther than you might expect.
At Dogs Inc, that kind of impact is part of everyday life. The nonprofit relies on a community of big-hearted volunteers who help shape the journey of dogs that will one day guide, support, and stand beside the people who need them.
Making a Difference Since 1982
For over 40 years, Dogs Inc has been transforming people’s lives through their extraordinary dogs.
Each one is trained for a different kind of impact—but all with the same purpose: to bring greater independence, confidence, and connection to their humans.
Guide dogs help people with vision loss navigate the world with more freedom, while service dogs stand beside veterans battling both visible and invisible wounds, as well as support Gold Star family members. The organization also provides service dogs in their new Scent Detection Program to give lifesaving care for people living with type 1 diabetes.
Therapy dogs offer comfort to local first responders and patients in military facilities, and skilled companion dogs bring reassurance and companionship to children, veterans, and the military community when it’s needed most.
Dogs Inc provides all of these life-changing dogs, along with online and in-person training, for free. Plus, guide and service dog teams receive ongoing alumni support, premium dog food, and annual veterinary care—all at no cost.
None of it would be possible without the generosity of Dogs Inc’s supporters and dedicated volunteers. For those interested in becoming part of the mission, there may be more ways to get involved than you think.
Take Home a Puppy: Become a Volunteer Puppy Raiser
Every guide, service, and therapy dog starts out the same way: as a puppy. And every puppy holds the potential to open a world of possibilities for someone in need.
That’s where volunteer puppy raisers come in.
For up to a year, they welcome a pup into their home and into their routine, bringing them along for the everyday moments that help build confidence and prepare them for what’s ahead.
“When you pick up a puppy, the goal is to live the exact same life that you lived prior to the puppy,” said Meghan W., an eight-time puppy raiser for Dogs Inc. “That’s going to give them the real-life experience of going everywhere that you go in order to set them up for success in the future.”
From running errands to relaxing at home, it all counts. Raisers get to soak up the joy of life with a puppy, while helping shape a confident, well-rounded dog with a bright future.
And they’re supported every step of the way.
The nonprofit provides dedicated advisors for guidance, in-person and virtual meetings, and a community ready to troubleshoot and cheer each other on, all while working around the raiser’s schedule.
“I am never alone at Dogs Inc,” said Jenny Senko, a Pittsburgh-based puppy raiser. “There is always someone to problem solve with me. They do an amazing job of helping me feel supported and excited about all the things we can try to help these pups succeed.”
And if raising a puppy full-time isn’t the right fit? There’s still a place for you.
Raisers can take a pup home for three or six months, co-raise with family or friends, or step in as a puppy sitter. Puppy sitters care for pups in training while their primary raisers are out of town or on vacation.
“If you can’t have a dog full-time, puppy sitting is a way to make a tiny contribution to the ultimate mission of these dogs who will transform someone’s life,” said Lisa Plasencia, a local Dogs Inc puppy sitter.
Welcome a Dog into Your Home
Behind every extraordinary dog is a thoughtfully built foundation: decades of research, top-notch pedigrees, and thousands of hours of training, care, and love.
Some dogs play a special role in that foundation.
Known as puppy parents, these dogs are chosen for their temperament, intelligence, and health, helping shape future generations of guide and service dogs.
To support that work, Dogs Inc partners with volunteers who welcome these dogs into their homes. Host families provide a loving environment and care for the dog day-to-day, while also keeping up with training and traveling to the nonprofit’s Palmetto campus when needed.
It’s a role that fits into everyday life but also reaches far beyond it.
And when a puppy parent retires, hosts can adopt their dog at no cost, turning the experience into a bond that lasts well beyond the program.
Volunteer at the Palmetto Campus
Step onto Dogs Inc’s 66-acre campus, and it’s easy to see the mission in motion. They offer a wide range of volunteer opportunities, and each one plays a part in preparing dogs for their future partners.
“I love the dogs, the other volunteers, and the employees here,” said Leslie Belew, who has donated over 10,000 hours of her time to the organization. “When I meet the students when they’re on campus for class, learning to work with their guide or service dog, and you see what their dog has done for them and their independence, it makes it all worthwhile. You think, ‘Gosh, I had a little hand in that.’”
Most volunteers work directly with the dogs, assisting with Puppy Education, spending time in the Canine Fitness Center, or simply offering moments of enrichment between training sessions.
“It’s incredibly meaningful to be around the dogs and support their development,” said Wendy Ivanov, a campus volunteer. “I know that even small moments of enrichment and care can impact their journey into becoming a life-changing partner.”
Others help bring the mission to life in different ways: leading tours, supporting events, answering phones, or welcoming guests as they experience the campus up close.
“I’m a total extrovert, and I love the interactions I have with the people who work here, the volunteers, and the public,” said Vic Augello, who often spends his time chauffeuring tour groups around campus. “As a shuttle driver, I can see the multitudes of dogs that Dogs Inc cares for. I’m so happy for that. It’s very rewarding!”
Some volunteers give a year, a weekend, or a few hours. Every single one makes a difference. Whether you’re working hands-on with dogs and pups or helping behind the scenes, every role helps move the mission forward.
There’s a place for you at Dogs Inc, and their friendly team can’t wait to meet you.
If any of these volunteer opportunities interested you, visit dogsinc.org/get-involved.
