Volunteer in Palmetto
Our volunteers have something to smile about.
At Southeastern Guide Dogs, we’re thankful for an army of volunteers who make it possible for us to better serve our students and graduates. With their help, we can continue offering a lifeline of freedom and independence that otherwise wouldn’t be possible for our students — at no charge.
Our volunteers are as different as can be in personalities and talents, yet they all have something in common: generous hearts. If you’d like to join our family, we have plenty to do — and plenty of puppies to go around! We offer specialized training, a gift shop discount, informative lectures, service awards, and even tax benefits.
At this time, all volunteer opportunities at our Palmetto Campus are filled.
We hope you will continue to explore the website and find other ways to get involved in the meantime, such as puppy hugging, dog walking, or even being a puppy raiser or breeder host. Please continue to check back for openings for our exciting volunteer opportunities!
Volunteer Opportunities at Our Palmetto Campus
Dog Walker Educator – Love interacting with the public? You’ll answer questions about dog walking while making sure things run smoothly.
Dog Walker Patrol – A friendly enforcer who interacts with our dog walkers. Keep things safe by ensuring that dog walking rules are followed and assist anyone having problems. You’ll cover the dog walking routes in a golf cart.
Gardening – Green thumb? Help maintain our many different gardens.
Hugger Helper* – Love puppies and people? Work in our Puppy Kennel to greet our guests and educate them about the School; ensure that guests follow the rules and have a good time!
Kennel Assistant* – Don’t mind getting your hands dirty? You’ll start by helping to clean kennels and wash dog dishes. Many volunteers advance to being more hands-on with our dogs. Opportunities available seven days a week.
Maintenance – Handy on the job or around the house? Help with general maintenance and upkeep of our buildings and grounds.
Office Help – Friendly? Organized? Join us at our front desk greeting guests, answering phones, copying, filing, and shredding.
Palmetto Gift Shop – This is “retail therapy” for the outgoing and energetic! Volunteers greet our guests, showcase our merchandise, and ring up purchases. Monday through Saturday.
Canine Enrichment* – Are you ready for playtime? Excite our dog’s imaginations and have some fun! Volunteers provide stimulating activities including human bonding through brushing and petting; novel playtime with toys such as large balls and puzzles; olfactory stimulation with aromatherapy and spice; and more.
Weekend Getaway* – A vital part of the Kennel Enrichment program where volunteers provide a temporary return to a home environment for our in-for-training dogs. Only specially-trained current volunteers are invited to participate in this exciting program.
Puppy Socialization* – Serious fun! Help put our 4-8 week old puppies through puppy pre-school by exposing them to different surfaces, sights, and sounds. You’ll work on housebreaking, crate training, and leash walking too.
*These positions require moderate to aggressive physical activity including but not limited to, standing for prolonged periods, lifting up to 35lbs repetitively, kneeling, stooping, bending, squatting, and sitting.
All positions take place Monday through Friday during normal business hours unless otherwise noted. Site-specific training is provided for all positions.
All volunteers must be 18 years of age, complete a volunteer application for an available position, and attend orientation.
High School Students may obtain their Bright Future hours through puppy hugging and dog walking.
