Job Description

Canine Partners is a registered charity that transforms the lives of people with physical disabilities by partnering them with assistance dogs. Our amazing dogs bring a greater independence and quality of life to their partners, offering support, security, companionship, and practical help with everyday household tasks.
By volunteering at Canine Partners, you contribute to something incredibly special - 'transforming the lives of people with physical disabilities by partnering them with assistance dogs'
About the opportunity
Make a difference by fostering a dog in assistance training on their journey to becoming a life-changing assistance dog! As an Assistance Dog Training volunteer, you'll provide a loving, stable home environment and support their continued development with guidance from our expert trainers.
Canine Partners are looking for volunteers who can provide loving homes for our young dogs, aged 14 months upwards, whilst helping to train them to be canine partners.
By volunteering you will:

• Be a valued member of our Charity
• Know that you are integrally involved in the care and training of a dog that will change the life of a person waiting for their Canine Partner
• Benefit from the companionship and enjoyment of having a dog in your life without lifelong commitment or costs associated with dog ownership
• Meet like-minded people
• Can develop your knowledge of puppy development and training.

'With out the continued hard work and support from our volunteers, we would not be able to provide our clients with our life changing dogs.'
What is involved

• Commitment to providing a loving home, care, and training for a dog for the duration of their time in training.
• We consider this a full-time role as you, or another approved adult member of the household, will be required to care for the dog for much of the day and overnight.
• Our trainers need access to the dogs during weekdays for training purposes. We ask that you commute to and from our training centre when required to drop off/collect the dog. Drop off and collection times are between 7.30 - 9.30am and 4-6pm. We try to be as flexible as possible with the times that are best for you.
• Availability to attend pre-arranged training sessions at your home, in your local area, and at our training centre.
• Attend an Introduction session before we coordinate a dog into your care
• With our guidance, and using positive training methods, to continue the training of the dog in various areas. For example: Home behaviour, Social behaviour, Behaviour around other animals, Walking on a lead, Off lead exercise
• Maintaining the dog's health and welfare and, via support and training, to recognise behaviour/health concerns and report them immediately to the dog's trainer

What we require from you

• You live within a 30-minute drive of our training centre
• (post code LE12 9SR)
• That you, as the dog's main carer, are over 18 years of age
• You have a dog friendly secure garden
• Though desirable, prior dog ownership is not required.
• All members of the household are keen to foster.
• There is no more than one pet dog living in your home. The pet dog must be over 12 months of age and would need to undergo our pet dog suitability assessment
• Have the time and ability to commit to the training and care of a young dog. This is a physical role
• Have access to a suitable vehicle to transport the dog
• That you or other approved adult member of the household are at home most of the day, and overnight, to care for the dog
• Attend two training sessions each year
• Understand that the dog in your care remains under the ownership of Canine Partners

Support and Training

• Induction process which includes telephone assessment and home visit
• On-going Instruction and support from our dog trainers. This will be in person, via video link, phone calls, handouts etc.
• Holiday cover and appointments cover can be arranged.
• Payment of expenditure such as mileage to and from a training session with a Canine Partner representative
• Access to our volunteer portal with many resources for your use.
• Invitation to join our Official Canine Partners Community Facebook Group

Apply on our website:
We understand that there is a huge time commitment expected with our dog-related volunteering roles. We aim to be flexible where we can, so even if you can only offer a small amount of the time outlined, please do contact us by emailing . We are happy to discuss all options and ways that you could help us make a difference to people living with a disability.
This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.

Skills Required