Susquehanna Service Dogs
Volunteer Opportunities
Here are the answers to some common questions potential volunteers may ask:
- What can I do to help?
- The answer to that question can be very brief (help fold papers for a mailing) or very complex (be a Puppy Raiser), depending on your time, your level of interest, your personal skills, and your resources.
- SSD has been able to offer a growing quality program due in large part to the dedication of its volunteers. Without people like YOU, the costs of preparing a dog for a life of service would double or triple.
- Click here to get involved.
- What does it cost?
- Not a thing more than your time! While some volunteers choose to be "members" of SSD (which includes a newsletter and information about activities), volunteer activity usually involves giving yourself and some time to help get things done.
- Do I have to come to the kennel?
- Depends on what you are doing. Some activities take place where the dogs are trained (which could include several buildings, malls and public places around the Harrisburg area). Demonstrations can happen almost anywhere. There are things that could be done right from your home (making phone calls, doing paperwork, some handwork, etc.). You may need to come to KCFS where one of our offices is located, or to the SSD kennel.
- How old do I have to be?
- Almost every age group has been involved at one time or another. We've had school children collect things and undertake fund-raising projects. Senior citizens have been involved in many projects including volunteering for PawsAbilities. Families have been involved in the Puppy Raiser program, which can include children from the cradle on up.
- Do I need any kind of dog-training skills?
- Nope! In fact we even have some people with dog-related allergies who believe strongly in the program, but never come into contact with the dogs! They support the program from their homes, jobs or other places to help spread the word or do non-dog-contact activities.
- What if I don't have a lot of time?
- I don't have a lot of free time, but I'd like to help financially. How can I do that? Financial aid is always welcome, in any amount. Whether it's kids collecting pennies, or families, clubs or businesses contributing hundreds to thousands of dollars, there is definitely a level that fits for you. See the Wish List for more information.
- What is SSD's biggest need?
- Funds to run our program. If you like to help fundraise we need you. Other ways to help are participating in Tabs for Labs or Recycling ink cartridges.
Sample Tasks
Following are some examples of ways volunteers can help to support the work of SSD. If YOU have additional suggestions, please feel free to suggest them.
- Make phone calls
- Collect items needed for training or kennel maintenance (please contact SSD for a list of items currently needed)
- Take photographs of events, outings, training for general use, publicity and our scrapbook
- Handyman Activities to "fix it" when it breaks or "make it" when it's needed
- Help transport puppies and dogs to veterinarian appointments
- Provide housing for Partners (service dog "users") from out of town during training and transfer for a few days or a few weeks. Please note that there is a critical need for ACCESSIBLE housing!
- Provide transportation for people with disabilities
- Assist with mailings (any of the following: affix postage, stuff envelopes, fold mailings, seal envelopes, take to post office, etc.)
- Answer phones during busy period
- A variety of office tasks depending on your skill level
- Pass out literature
- Answer general questions
- Help with training Tuesday and/or Thursday mornings
PawsAbilities Sample Volunteer Activities
PawsAbilities is a major promotion and fund-raising activity held each Spring at the PA Farm Show Complex. Planning is a year-round activity, and more than 350 volunteers are needed in the months before and during the event.
- Transportation of equipment
- Set-up
- Tear-down
- Greet Participants
- Sell Tickets
- Distribute Programs
- Hand-Stamper
- Security at strategic doors
- Run Dog Olympics events
- Event Stewards & Assistants
- Registration
- Pre-Registration (before day of event)
- Assist with raffles and straw draw
- Sell T-Shirts and "PawsAbilities Paraphernalia"
- Solicit Sponsors
- Sell Ads for Program
- Solicit prizes
- Label and record prizes
- Runners
- "Pooper-Scoopers"
- Make announcements
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