Volunteer on Campus
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Southeastern Guide Dogs! We are thankful for our army of on-campus volunteers who makes it possible for us to better serve our puppies, dogs, students and graduates. With our volunteers’ help, we are able to offer a lifeline of freedom and independence that otherwise wouldn’t be possible for our students – at no charge.
Please click here to complete a short self-assessment and see if campus volunteering is right for you: Join Our Volunteer Team
“After you’re here and see all of the good that comes from giving to those who can’t see and giving back to veterans, it’s hard not to want to do even more.”
— Karen Kowaleski, campus volunteer
Frequently Asked Questions
Volunteering Q&A
What types of campus volunteer opportunities are typically available?
What is the minimum time commitment required to become a campus volunteer?
What is the minimum age requirement to become a campus volunteer?
What are the physical requirements to become a campus volunteer?
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any additional eligibility requirements for campus volunteers?
Get updates about our puppies and people.
Here I am, to soothe your broken heart.
I won’t let go, you can count on me!
When the world seems too dark, I’ll be your light. The month of May reinforces our deep regard for these heroes, with both #MilitaryAppreciationMonth and #Memorial Day on the calendar. We honor the service and profound sacrifice of those who have perished in war, and we stand with the loved ones left behind.
Are you the big spoon or the little spoon? #SundaySnuggles
Today's #SundaySnuggles is brought to you by Vinson Law PA, one of our loyalty level Walkathon 2023 sponsors.
Every 👍 is a boop on this big boys snoot!
Friday Funday with these two boys ☀️🤩 John (left) and Edison (right) were kind enough to pause their playtime to grace your timeline with their handsome faces 🦮💛
Before our service dogs are matched with their forever person, they go through the Assistance Dogs International Public Access Test. Join us today at 1:00 p.m. EST as Emily Dombrowski, Director of Service Dog Training, and Marisa Blanco, Service Dog Team Manager take us through a mock test with one of our service dogs in training.
🐾 Raise a puppy, change a life!🌟 Join us in the incredible journey of puppy raising, and witness the transformative power of shaping these bright pups for their future careers. Together, let’s make a lasting impact and unleash the potential of these four-legged heroes. https://www.guidedogs.org/get-involved/raise-a-puppy/
Unlock the unseen with Unseen Worlds, an immersive and thought-provoking experience. Step into an imaginary park from the perspective of someone who cannot see. Take a blindfolded stroll with a highly-trained guide dog. Hear from a graduate how a dog offers freedom and independence. Reserve your spot today and gain a new perspective on the world around you. Limited to 6 guests per session. https://www.guidedogs.org/connect/visit-our-campus/unseen-worlds/
#GuideDogs #Experience #UnseenWorlds
A gentle nose nudge – You can do this.
A warm hug – It will be OK.
A steady tail wag – You’re not alone.
Our extraordinary dogs speak hope into the silence of invisible wounds that far too many endure. Post-traumatic stress, grief, anxiety. When it feels like the world doesn’t notice these unseen needs, our dogs look into the depths of hurting souls to restore joy and find hope.
May is #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, but our heroic dogs support wellbeing all year long.
Recognize Mental Health Awareness Month with us, and learn how our dogs shed light into the darkness: https://www.guidedogs.org/about-us/
Fill Your Heart with Puppy Love! You know that warm, melty feeling you get when you see a bumbling, tumbling puppy, a little furball of deliciousness? That’s the PupPal experience! For only $19 a month, we'll send you baby doggy videos and pics directly to your inbox. Invest in their future—and fill your heart with puppy love! www.guidedogs.org/puppal
Littermates, and guide dogs in training, Ronnie (left) and Boots (right), had a great time exploring Hyde Park and Bayshore Boulevard on a recent training route! 🌊🦮
Two paws up for the weekend from this goofy girl named Sirius 🐾
Army veteran Beverly McLaughlin searched for a service dog that could help her with night terrors and mobility issues. She found that other schools weren’t available to help a pre-911 veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder caused by military sexual trauma. That’s why she was delighted to find Southeastern Guide Dogs and meet a goofy, loving dog named Lunkenheimer.
Lunkenheimer’s slow pace matches his handler perfectly. “Just like me, I don’t take anything really quick,” Beverly says with a laugh. With his easy manner, Beverly looks forward to tamping down her anxiety enough to be able to shop in big stores without fearing crowds. And when she feels trapped in a tight space and needs to remove herself from a triggering situation, Lunkenheimer’s presence signals to people to make way and let her pass.
Their first night together, when habitual nightmares woke Beverly at 3 a.m., Lunkenheimer put his chin on her shoulder and made her feel safely anchored. That skill, and his ability to offer her a brace when she is getting up from a low seat, are revelations for the former military driver and occupational therapy assistant. “I’m starting to relax more,” Beverly notes. “If others are thinking about getting a dog, don’t put it off,” she adds. “You deserve to have your hero companion. Don’t think you’re unworthy—you’re worthy!”
Our latest PupPal is pawsitively perfect down on the farm—and will plant herself in your heart! PupPal members get to meet Mazey up-close-and-puppy-personal, plus they receive delightful digital goodies. Become a PupPal for just $19 a month and fall in love with Mazey today! www.guidedogs.org/puppal
Click here for descriptive video for the visually impaired: https://vimeo.com/817490257/22ca353e41
Wishing a very happy Mother's Day to all the moms and dog moms out there from the Southeastern Guide Dogs family 🐾
Watch the touching story of Emily, a veteran who fell in love with her Army husband before losing him to war. With a dog-sized hole in her heart, Emily turned to Elle, a four-legged angel filled with hope and joy. Any way you spell it, Elle is for Love on this episode of our Emmy Award-winning series, Dogs of Destiny.
Click here for discriptive video for the visually impaired: https://vimeo.com/825571146/8f80bc8e69
This episode of Dogs of Destiny is brought to you with grateful recognition Elanco for their generous partnership.
You're always welcome here! Visit our beautiful Palmetto, Florida campus and reserve a place for one of three unique experiences: Beyond the Dark, Unseen Worlds, or our guided tour. Reserve your spot today at https://www.guidedogs.org/connect/visit-our-campus/.
We’re pawfectly proud of our 2- and 4- legged grads! Here on our campus, new teams of guide dogs and service dogs and their handlers celebrate commencement year ‘round. But now is the season for our high school and college-age puppy raisers to strut across the stage with their own diplomas. Congratulations, grads! We’re applauding you!
“With Betty Jo I can do my own thing. I can be more of my own person. I can separate more and live my own life,” says Rachel, a college freshman living with vision loss. She no longer fears walking between campus buildings because Betty Jo guides her safely across streets. Her social anxiety dissipates every time she reaches down and pets her dog. “I didn’t like dogs at first,” Rachel admits. “But Betty Jo is my best friend and a life changer.”
What exactly is an infinity collar and what do they have to do with a litter of three-week-old puppies? Tune in to Facebook LIVE at 1:00 p.m. EST as Lauren Holtz, Manager of Breeder Evaluation & Early Puppy Education, takes us behind the scenes in the puppy nursery to teach us about this important training tool.
There’s healing power in the love of a good dog—a dog like Pella. She gives cuddles and comfort to veterans and their families at Emerald Coast Behavioral Hospital in the Florida Panhandle. Read all about Pella, her daily rounds, and the difference she makes every day.
https://www.guidedogs.org/life-unleashed-library/spring-2023/the-perfect-prescription/