It takes a village to raise a puppy and we depend on volunteer support to make it happen! If you are interested in volunteering with us, check out the opportunities below, and Apply Here.

Puppy Coach - Raise a Valor Service Dog

Are you looking for the ultimate volunteer experience? Have you always wanted to do more and just didn't know how? Raising a Valor Service Dog is a fulfilling volunteer experience that will allow you to directly impact the life of a very deserving wounded veteran or first responder.

We get our service dogs in-training as puppies and from the age of 12 weeks to 2 years old they are placed with a dedicated foster parent (you!) who raises, loves and trains them to be a mobility and PTSD service dog. We call these wonderful volunteer foster parents a “Puppy Coach”. We have three commitment levels for Puppy Coaches: (1) PUPPY ACHIEVEMENT training level is working with and socializing puppies from ages 8 weeks to 10 months, we have our (2) TASK READY training level which is working with dogs 10 months old to 20 months old, and (3) we still have our full 2 year PUPPY COACH commitment. All commitment levels are needed, so apply today!

Puppy Coaches bring their service dog in-training to class each week in Wimauma, FL or Valdosta, GA. At the Tampa area location, we offer evening and weekend classes! At class, the Puppy Coach and the service dog in-training learn all that they need to know in order to practice at home. The fun part about raising a service dog in-training is that they have full public access and are expected to spend all of their time with their coaches, whether it be during work, at home, running errands, events, vacation, etc. Now you can be the person walking through the mall with an adorable service dog!

The role of being a Puppy Coach requires a deep commitment, but the rewards are life changing.  At the conclusion of training you will see all of your hard work pay off as your dog transitions into its new role as a partner and best friend to a very deserving wounded veteran.

What does it take to raise a Valor Service Dog?

  • A passion for supporting veterans and first responders

  • A love for dogs

  • Work/home life that’s conducive to having a dog with you everywhere

  • 8, 10 or 20 month commitment

  • Ability to attend 1-2 hour training classes in Wimauma, FL or Valdosta, GA, 1X per week

  • Willing to do at-home command practice (10-15 minutes daily)

  • Willing to fill out a monthly status report

  • Ability to routinely exercise the dog via walks or swimming

  • Ability to make occasional trips to our veterinarian

We will be with you every step of the way!
VSD has puppy sitters available for the occasional fill-in if a Puppy Coach is going out of town, has a work event or a commitment where the puppy can’t accompany them.

All costs are covered! Valor Service Dogs covers all costs associated with being a Puppy Coach (including food, trips to the vet, a crate, toys and miscellaneous supplies) so that expenses aren’t a burden to our Puppy Coaches.  
 

Puppy Sitter

Puppy Sitters step in in the event that one of our puppy coaches is either traveling, on vacation, or just needs a break (puppies can be a lot of work!). We look for people that live near Tampa, FL or Valdosta, GA, and who are available on weekdays and weekends. 

Puppy Escort

A puppy escort is the person who flies or drives to other service dog organizations to pick up a new Valor puppy and then flies the puppy back to Tampa, FL. Puppy escorts also help out with vet visits, and dropping off or picking up dogs traveling between our Florida and Georgia locations. Flight/gas costs are covered by us. If spending a day flying with an 8-week old puppy or driving one of our service dogs in training sounds fun (who can resist puppy breath!?), apply today!

Puppy Nursery

Puppy Nursery Volunteers are trained to assist our staff in providing continuous around the clock care to our future service dogs in training. This position begins shortly after birth and helps to ensure optimal development of the puppies through physical and mental enrichment. In addition, volunteers help with daily tasks to provide a clean and safe environment ensuring optimal living conditions.

Volunteers are scheduled for 4-hour shifts, 24-hours per day, two volunteers per shift. Two-person groups are encouraged. Sign up to volunteer with your family and friends - we can schedule you for the same shift! Single volunteers are needed too! Please keep in mind sitting for extended periods of time, bending, picking up puppies from the floor, and lifting/carrying items up to 30 pounds are required for this position.

This opportunity requires an in-person training course to show the volunteer the appropriate way to handle the puppies and explain VSD protocols while on-site. Volunteers must be 18 years of age to be eligible for this role.

The Puppy Nursery is located at our Wimauma, Florida facility.

This opportunity is not currently active. Anyone interested will be added to the Puppy Nursery Interest Email List for updates when the opportunity will reopen.

General Volunteer

There are a number of ways you can get involved and support our heroes. Here are some ideas: Cleaning/Maintenance, Event assistance, Fundraising, and Gardening/HandyMan work. Let us know what you are interested in and we will get you involved!

Professional Services Volunteer

Do you have a professional skill or service that you would like to share with Valor Service Dogs? We would love to speak with you about volunteering!

At this time, we are unable to accommodate student volunteers for course credit.