FAQs
Learn more about Canine Companions
General Questions
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Canine Companions is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained service dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. We provide our dogs and support services free of charge to recipients.
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Canine Companions trains service dogs and facility dogs:
- Service Dogs – assist adults with physical disabilities, deafness or insulin-dependent diabetes by performing daily tasks or alerting to important sounds or changes in blood sugar.
- Service Dogs for Children – assist children or adults with physical or cognitive disabilities and are handled by an adult facilitator who is responsible for the care and management of the team.
- Facility Dogs – work with a professional in a visitation, education or healthcare setting.
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Although Canine Companions is unable to serve you at this time, we encourage you to consider other accredited Assistance Dogs International (ADI) member organizations. As members of ADI, these organizations strive to uphold the highest standards in the training and placement of assistance dogs. The ADI member database can be found here: www.assistancedogsinternational.org.
ADI has a search feature which allows you to check off specific criteria. Checking these boxes will filter your search criteria to populate organizations that provide these specific types of service dogs.
To search for organizations that provide alternative types of service dogs, follow these steps:
1. Click “Looking for an assistance dog” at the top of the page
2. Click the red button that says “Find an ADI Member in your area”
3. Select the appropriate country and state
4. Click “advanced filtering options” and check the applicable boxes
The resulting search will populate organizations that provide service dogs that may better suit your needs.
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There is no charge for a Canine Companions service dog. Individual participants in our program are not responsible for any of the substantial costs involved in the lengthy process of breeding, raising, and training each Canine Companions service dog.
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Canine Companions is funded by private contributions from individuals; gifts from businesses, civic groups and service clubs; grants from corporations and foundations; and ongoing fundraising activities, such as special events and mailings. Please visit our donate page for more ways to give.
Canine Companions is also able to do what we do thanks to the support of over 3,000 volunteers nationwide. Our largest group of volunteers are our puppy raisers. Every volunteer puppy raiser contributes to the basic costs of raising a puppy. Learn more about our puppy raising program.
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Canine Companions uses Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and crosses of these two breeds. Most of our dogs come from Canine Companions selective breeding program. Occasionally, donated puppies are accepted if they meet the strict qualification requirements.
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We do not train dogs from outside of the Canine Companions program to be service dogs. Please check out Assistance Dogs International for other organizations that may be able to assist in evaluating and training a pet dog to become a service dog.
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Canine Companions puppies are raised by volunteers who take them to puppy classes to teach them basic obedience and house manners. When the puppies are old enough to enter our professional training program, Canine Companions dogs come to one of our six regional training centers, located in Northern California, Southern California, Texas, Ohio, New York and Florida.
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The first two years of a dog’s life are spent being trained and socialized before graduating as a service dog. The average service dog then works for eight years. After that time, the dog retires from service and will spend its golden years as a pet.
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Canine Companions typically places between 325 and 375 service dogs per year. We have over 2,700 active teams throughout the country and have placed over 8,000 dogs since our founding in 1975.
Service Dog FAQ
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Canine Companions trains service dogs for adults, children and veterans and facility dogs who work with professional in a visitation, education or healthcare setting. Learn more here.
Additionally, in 2020, Canine Companions launched a small pilot program to certify certain eligible dogs as therapy dogs. Learn more here.
Canine Companions has also merged with Early Alert Canines to place medical alert dogs for individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes. Learn more here.
Finally, Canine Companions works closely with partner agencies to find working placements for dogs that are not suitable for placement as a service or facility dog. Our dogs have gone on to do everything from search and rescue, to explosives detection and more!
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A Canine Companions service dog can not only open doors, pick up dropped items and turn on the lights; it can also increase confidence and independence.
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Since 2018, Canine Companions is proud to place service dogs with United States Armed Forces veterans with service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Dogs are trained in tasks including nightmare interruption, turning on lights, retrieving items, anxiety interruption and supporting their handler in crowded public situations. Currently, this program is only offered at certain regional training centers. Please click here for more information.
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No, Canine Companions service dogs and all follow-up services are provided free of charge to the recipient. Students are responsible for their transportation to and from the regional training center and their meals during Team Training. Once matched with a dog, graduates of the program are responsible for costs associated with care of the service dog including food, grooming and routine veterinary expenses.
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Canine Companions uses Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and crosses of the two breeds.
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Canine Companions service dogs are highly trained to perform a limited set of practical tasks geared towards assisting individuals with physical disabilities or veterans with PTSD lead more independent lives. Although our graduates find an incredible depth of emotion in the bond between them and their dog beyond just the working tasks, Canine Companions does not place dogs with individuals for the primary benefit of emotional comfort or social support.
Some of the tasks they are trained to do:
- Retrieve and deliver dropped items.
- Tug to open a door or drawer.
- Pull a laundry basket, or help with a sock or jacket.
- Push with their nose to shut a drawer.
- Open a door with an automatic push plate.
- Pull a lightweight manual wheelchair over a short distance.
- Turn lights on and off.
- Our hearing dogs have a different skill set, primarily involving alerting and orienting recipients to sounds.
- Our service dogs for veterans with PTSD are trained in nightmare and anxiety interruption, among other skills.
Canine Companions also places medical alert dogs for individuals who have insulin-dependent diabetes. To learn more about those tasks, visit the Early Alert Canines website.
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Canine Companions dogs are NOT trained to do the following:
- Guide work for the blind.
- Seizure alert/response.
- Mobility assistance, including balance work.
- To recognize and/or manage undesirable human behavior or provide supervision, navigation, or safety from environmental hazards.
- Respond aggressively or provide personal protection.
Application Process
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People with physical or developmental disabilities, adults who are Deaf or hard of hearing, as well as professionals working in health care, visitation, educational or criminal justice settings who can demonstrate that a service dog will enhance their independence or their quality of life are qualified to apply.
Click here to learn more about whether an service dog is right for you.
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The application process, as well as all lectures, individual instruction and written class materials for the pairing process (Team Training), are given in English. We can accommodate specific communication needs, including providing interpreters for our deaf or hard-of-hearing students during Team Training and other events.
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Individuals applying for a service dog must be at least 18 years old with an established, stable home life. We find those 25 years of age and up typically are most suitable for a service dog. Children must be at least 5 years old to be considered for a skilled companion.
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Canine Companions has a comprehensive and interactive application process. Before we begin, we first exchange basic information to determine whether the program will be a good fit. At each step of the application process, experienced Canine Companions staff review an applicant’s need and qualifications to determine whether or not the applicant will move on. Click here for more information about the application process.
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All inquiring individuals should receive a response from Canine Companions within 2-4 weeks. Due to a high volume of applications, there is a chance that it may take longer than normally anticipated. We appreciate your patience as we review our applications. Please visit our FAQ page to view other commonly asked questions.
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Once on the list, the wait time varies greatly between categories and based on each individual’s needs. Typically, service dog candidates have the longest wait, as dogs with very specific temperaments are needed for these placements.
Training Canine Companions Service Dogs
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Each Canine Companions dog spends the first year-and-a-half with a volunteer puppy raiser, learning basic commands and socializing in public and private settings. Once the puppy raiser returns the puppy to Canine Companions, it enters professional training at a regional training center for six to nine months, where it will go through professional training and learn advanced commands that will support the work of a service dog.
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It takes an exceptional dog to graduate as a service dog, and not every dog is suitable. All dogs must be highly proficient in the trained skills and tasks. In addition, Canine Companions dogs receive rigorous medical and temperamental screening to ensure that every dog that graduates will be healthy, happy and appropriate in their role.
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Approximately two years old.
Canine Companions is committed to finding the perfect placement for every dog, no matter what that placement might be. If a dog is deemed behaviorally or medically inappropriate for our program, we will first evaluate if the dog is suitable for transfer to another agency, such as another service dog organization, drug detection or search and rescue. If agency transfers are not a good fit for the dog, the dog will be released and made available for adoption as a family pet. Click here for more information on released dog adoption.
Matching and Beyond
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The day usually goes from 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM with a couple 15 minute breaks and an hour lunch break during the day. Due to the class structure and the amount of information we go through in a short amount of time, we are unable to deviate from the class schedule.
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Yes, to help us make a successful placement and for parents/ guardians to learn how to handle the service dog and recipient, we do require the recipient to attend.
We understand that they might not be able to be in class from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day. This is normal and something we are used to. If both parents/ guardians want to be certified handlers, they both must be active participants in class. Typically, parents/ guardians will bring another family member or friend to take the recipient out for extra breaks during the day. Recipients are welcome to bring tablets, games, books, and other forms of entertainment into class with them as well
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To help focus on the recipient and build a bond with the service dog, we do not allow siblings to attend class.
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Once a dog has completed professional training, it is ready to be matched with a person with a disability. The team is matched at one of our regional training centers during Team Training, a two-week group class. During Team Training, students learn to manage the service dog’s behavior, to direct the dog to respond to commands it has learned, and to assume responsibility for maintaining the health and well-being of the dog.
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Canine Companions has a comprehensive and participatory program to ensure the ongoing success of its working teams. Throughout the working life of the dogs, graduates periodically return to campus with their dogs for public certification, workshops, seminars and reunions.
In addition, Canine Companions instructors and graduates communicate on an on-going basis through correspondence, reports and by providing advice via phone and email. Instructors also travel into the field to conduct workshops and to resolve specific training or behavioral problems in the graduate’s home and/or workplace environment.
Canine Companions maintains ownership of the service dog even after placement is made. A graduate is personally and financially responsible for the service dog’s care and maintenance, including food and veterinary services.
Therapy Dog FAQs
Therapy dogs are invited in certain settings to increase the well-being of clients, residents, and students in places such as hospitals, schools, and nursing homes as well as in private therapy settings. The therapy dog is considered a pet dog and has no special public access rights.
Outside of approved facilities, bringing the therapy dog into public places where pet dogs are not normally allowed is against program policy. Canine Companions reserves the right to revoke the certification of any therapy dog handler found in violation of this policy.
No national standards exist for the training of therapy dogs; however, former New York Governor Andrew Mark Cuomo directed the commissioner of the department of agriculture and markets to convene a working group to examine the need for statewide standards for therapy dogs. We used their findings to guide the formation of our program. Canine Companions strives to hold our therapy dog program to a high standard of excellence despite the lack of national standards.
Dogs chosen for therapy dog teams have passed numerous behavioral and health screenings to ensure they are safe and comfortable around various people to whom they may provide comfort. All dogs participating in the program must be approved by our expert staff in both our national veterinary and training departments.
Handlers go through an application and interview process before being approved to participate in the program and must complete coursework and training specific to therapy dog work, including passing written and in-person examinations while working with Canine Companions staff and volunteer evaluators. They must demonstrate professionalism and be able to safely care for and manage the therapy dog in a variety of different settings and around different people. In all work, handlers are required to abide by Canine Companions’ Code of Ethics.
Finally, through our certification process, our therapy dog teams are AKC Canine Good Citizen certified and must demonstrate suitability through the practical examination.
As defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs work for a handler with a disability and are individually trained to perform specific tasks that mitigate the symptoms of that person’s disability. Service dogs have public access rights, meaning that they are permitted to accompany their handler who has disabilities anywhere that is open to the public, even places that do not permit pet dogs.
In contrast, a therapy dog is a pet that accompanies their owner into specific settings for the benefit of the residents or clients in the setting and/or as part of a therapeutic intervention. Therapy dogs are not necessarily trained in specific tasks, nor are they working for the benefit of their handler. Aside from specific settings where they have approval to perform therapy dog work, they may not be taken into public places where pet dogs are not permitted. Canine Companions vests and bandanas are only to be worn when doing therapy dog work.
Facility dogs are expertly trained dogs who partner with a facilitator working in a health care, criminal justice system, or education setting. These dogs can perform over 40 cues designed to motivate and inspire clients with differing needs. Their facilitators are committed to long-term employment where they directly serve clients with special needs a minimum of twenty hours per week. Facility dogs don’t have public access rights like service dogs.
Therapy dogs are often released from our service dog program for various reasons that make them inappropriate for service dog work. They are considered pet dogs who love engaging with people and have the temperament appropriate for therapy dog work. They are not trained in specific tasks nor are they working specifically for the benefit of their handler. They also do not have public access rights like service dogs.
Our therapy dogs are required to have basic obedience skills and demonstrate safe and appropriate behavior in public. Therapy dogs are permitted to work a maximum of 2 hours per day, and can be handled by a volunteer handler who brings their therapy dog to a facility, or an employee of the facility who has been certified as a therapy dog handler.
For more information or if you feel as if you may be looking for a facility dog versus a therapy dog, please visit our facility dog information page here.
A therapy dog may provide comfort at a vaccine clinic, in a classroom, or for first responders. Depending on our dogs’ preferences and the clients’ needs, therapy dogs may sit or lie next to a client, read with them, take a walk with them, or play a game of fetch. A well-mannered and highly engaged therapy dog encourages feelings of calm and security for clients. There are many ways that therapy dogs help their clients!
There is a $100 initial certification fee and a $30 annual recertification fee. This fee includes liability insurance coverage and pays for the Canine Companions logo vest or bandana, issued at the time of certification. Canine Companions offers therapy dog teams support services free of charge.
For people adopting a therapy dog, there is a $3500 therapy dog adoption fee (waived for the puppy raiser of the dog). The same fees as above also apply at the time of certification.
Dogs that are eligible for the therapy dog program must be from Canine Companions.
Eligible types of dogs include:
- Released dogs over 1 year of age
- Retired breeders
- Retired service and facility dogs
- Active male breeders at least 6 months post-placement, with additional approval from the breeding and veterinary departments.
Due to health and safety concerns, active female breeders are not eligible to participate in this program. All dogs participating in the program must be approved by the veterinary and training departments as medically and temperamentally suitable for therapy dog work.
Health: Dogs in the therapy dog program are required to be up to date on vaccines, at a healthy weight, on monthly preventatives, receiving annual veterinary exams, and should not participate if they are ill.
Temperament: Dogs in the therapy dog program should be social, manageable, and appropriate for the setting(s) where they will be working. Dogs may have conditions to their certification based on their release reasons that must be adhered to for the duration of their certification with us. Examples are fear of children, surface sensitivity, and toileting concerns.
Because therapy dogs are working in approved professional settings providing therapy to the clients of the setting, if you are looking for a dog specifically for you, we encourage you to visit our website section Is a Dog Right for You? Here you can further explore our Service Dog program and the clients we serve, or you can reach out to your regional center location to inquire about our release dog program.
The therapy dog program is currently open in the following geographical areas in each region:
In the Northwest Region (Santa Rosa, CA):
Applicant distance: Open to the entire state of California, Oregon and Washington state. If you meet these requirements, click here for more information.
In the Southwest Region (Oceanside, CA):
Applicant distance: The entire Southwest Region is open to the therapy dog program. Serving Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Southern California, Southern Nevada and Hawaii. If you meet these requirements, click here for more information.
In the South Central Region (Irving, TX):
Applicant distance: The states of Texas and Louisiana. If you meet these requirements, click here for more information.
In the North Central Region (New Albany, OH):
Applicant distance: The entire North Central Region is open to the therapy dog program. Serving Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Western Pennsylvania. If you meet these requirements, click here for more information.
In the Northeast Region (Medford, NY) :
Applicant distance: open to all of New York and New Jersey, West Virginia, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maryland, and Maine. If you meet these requirements, click here for more information.
In the Southeast Region (Orlando, FL):
Applicant distance: 150 miles from the Orlando, FL campus (8150 Clarcona Ocoee Rd, Orlando, FL 32818), and completely North from the Regional campus to the Florida Panhandle. The states of Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi. If you meet these requirements, click here for more information.
Canine Companions makes therapy dog certification available to owners/guardians of eligible dogs (see Eligibility). Handlers may be certified with other therapy dog organizations, but should be aware that other organizations may not permit dual certification.
We recognize that individual programs and facilities may have policies that prevent the Canine Companions therapy dog certification program from being the best fit.
Puppy Raising FAQs
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All dogs in the program are Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers or crosses of the two. All volunteer puppy raisers need to be flexible regarding gender, breed and color to assure that every puppy finds a home quickly and efficiently.
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We have our own breeding program, based at the headquarters in Santa Rosa, California. Puppies are placed from any one of our regional centers and are usually shipped directly to their puppy raiser.
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Puppy raisers must set aside time for daily training and attend puppy classes for the duration of the project. In some areas, we provide puppy classes free of charge. However, if you live in an area without a Canine Companions puppy class available, you must find and attend an approved public obedience class at your expense.
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Puppies need physical activity in the form of play or walking. Puppy raisers should expect to provide at least 25-40 minutes of exercise per day. Canine Companions puppies are not allowed to visit public dog parks.
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The primary puppy raiser must be an adult 18 years of age or older. However, minors are allowed to raise with an adult living in the same home. Note: Puppies can’t attend school with children in the household.
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Absolutely! Most puppy raisers gain approval to take the puppy to work. We recommend speaking to your employer prior to applying. The puppy will need regular toileting breaks throughout the day.
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It’s imperative to the puppy’s development that supervision and socialization are provided throughout every day. Puppy raisers must either have prior approval to bring the puppy to the workplace or provide an alternative for the socialization and care of the puppy during the day. When left unsupervised, Canine Companions puppies should always be in an appropriate size crate.
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In most cases, the puppy can accompany the puppy raiser on vacation, or can be placed with a sitter that meets our criteria. We offer guidelines for age appropriate travel outings and activities.
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Yes, many volunteers will partner with each other to share the responsibility of puppy raising. Starting or finishing a puppy for a minimum of 3 months is also an option. Speak to your puppy program department during your phone interview.
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Puppy raisers are limited to a household of three dogs not including the Canine Companions puppy. All dogs in the home must be well behaved, current on vaccines and over one year of age.
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Each puppy raiser goes through an orientation process and is given a manual, puppy starter kit, puppy classes and online resources, including training videos. We also provide ongoing staff support to each puppy raiser via phone, e-mail or in-person follow-up. There is also a great community of support from current puppy raisers across the country.
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Puppies must be exposed or “socialized” to activities of daily life. This can include accompanying the puppy raiser to the work place, shopping center or other public places. When in public, the puppies wear a cape identifying that they are being socialized for special purposes. However, we rely upon the goodwill of merchants and business owners, rather than the legal system, for gaining public access.
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We believe in the use of positive reinforcement combined with appropriate interruption and redirection. Our puppies are raised by their puppy raisers using Gentle Leaders© or other similar and approved head collars.
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Our staff will work with you to find the best solution for the success of you and the puppy.
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You and the puppy you raise will take a long journey together! It’s only natural that you will become very attached to the dog. The ability to give up a dog comes from knowing that you are raising this puppy for a purpose — that the puppy will go on to help someone with a disability lead a more social and independent lifestyle.
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Canine Companions will make an effort to unite the puppy raiser with the service dog recipient. If an in-person meeting is not possible, we’ll pass along your contact information to the individual matched with the dog.
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Puppy raisers agree to provide food, supplies, vet care, and attend puppy training classes while the puppy is in their care. You will also need to transport the puppy to your regional center at the projected time of turn-in. These expenses are usually tax deductible. Canine Companions is often able to provide assistance for catastrophic veterinary expenses.
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In the event the dog is released from our program but found suitable for a working role with another agency, Canine Companions will transfer the dog to such an agency. Should the dog be unsuitable for placement in any working role, the puppy raiser may adopt the dog as their pet free of charge or Canine Companions will place the dog in an approved home from our released dog wait list. A $2,000 adoption fee applies to everyone other than the puppy raiser of the dog. All homes are limited to no more than two released dogs in the home.
Medical Alert Dog FAQs
Our dogs alert individuals with diabetes when they detect low or rapidly dropping blood glucose levels. Using their exceptional sense of smell, these dogs provide early warnings that help prevent dangerously low blood glucose levels.
Participants in our program use a standard glucose meter to confirm the dog’s alert and then take appropriate actions to manage their blood sugar levels. Prompt treatment of low glucose episodes not only enhances safety but also improves overall blood glucose control and can be life-saving.
Positive reinforcement is the foundation of our training approach. When a blood glucose test confirms a dog’s alert, the dog is rewarded with treats, enthusiastic praise, and/or playtime.
We carefully select dogs for training based on their strong desire to work with humans. For these dogs, detecting and alerting to low blood sugar becomes an engaging game that earns them rewards. Our training team collaborates closely with clients to ensure that rewards are given effectively, enhancing the dog’s alerting capabilities.
Working with a diabetic alert dog is a lifelong commitment, and consistent, appropriate reinforcement is crucial for sustained success and effectiveness.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers are required to provide “reasonable accommodations” for employees with disabilities. In many cases, a blood sugar alert dog qualifies as a reasonable accommodation, offering valuable support in various work environments.
However, the suitability of a service dog depends on the specific work setting. For instance, a busy commercial kitchen with hot pans and boiling pots might present challenges in justifying a service dog as a reasonable accommodation. Each work environment needs individual assessment to determine if a service dog can be safely integrated.
Diabetic alert dogs have successfully been integrated into various professions, including teaching, technical roles, nursing, and office work. However, not all situations may qualify as “reasonable accommodations.” Canine Companions is committed to assisting both current and prospective clients in evaluating whether a service dog is the right fit for their unique work environment. We are here to help you assess your specific situation and determine the best solution.
Our medical alert dogs are highly trained for accuracy, but it’s important to remember that they are not infallible. While these dogs offer valuable support, they are not perfect and may occasionally miss some low blood sugar events. Therefore, medical alert dogs should be used as an important supplementary tool alongside your regular blood sugar management methods.
These dogs excel in detecting rapidly changing blood glucose levels, and successful use relies on ongoing collaboration with Canine Companions staff. Regular follow-up is crucial to maximize the effectiveness of your alert dog.
The person with diabetes must also be highly attentive and engaged in their partnership with the medical alert dog. While a newly placed dog may start with an accuracy rate of around 60%, consistent training and adherence to Canine Companions guidelines can improve this rate to over 90% within a few months.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for a medical alert dog with our program, you must have insulin-dependent diabetes, have been using insulin therapy for at least one year and a resident of the United States. Ideal candidates are those who diligently manage their diabetes. Our dogs are not suited for individuals who are not actively working to control their condition. If you need support to enhance your diabetes management, please visit our resources page or contact us for additional help.
Costs
All Canine Companions service dogs are provided at no cost to the recipient. Training a medical alert dog and providing ongoing support for its lifetime costs upwards of $50,000. However, we are committed to making this life-saving support accessible by minimizing costs. We are able to place our dogs free of charge thanks to our large support system of volunteers, donors, and partners.
Essentially, all of these terms are correct, but it’s important to distinguish between two key aspects: dogs that assist people with diabetes and dogs that themselves have diabetes.
At Canine Companions, we focus exclusively on training dogs that support individuals with diabetes. We do not train dogs with diabetes or other serious medical conditions.
For more information on canine diabetes and its symptoms, please visit www.diabetesindogs.net*, www.caninediabetes.org*, or consult with a veterinarian.
Junior Ambassador Committee
The Canine Companions Junior Ambassador Committee is comprised of a group of students and professionals, ages 16-25, with a passion for Canine Companions and making a difference in the disability community. Junior Ambassador Committee members serve as Canine Companions ambassadors in their local communities, educating and advocating for service dog rights, as well as helping plan and participate in outreach events.
In order to join, you must be:
- 16-25 years old.
- Able to serve a one-year term.
- Available to attend Junior Ambassador Committee meetings. The meetings are virtual and are held on the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-6 p.m. PT/8:30-9 p.m. ET. Meeting dates and times are subject to change.
- Motivated to volunteer and promote the mission of Canine Companions.
Yes. Junior Ambassador Committee members are volunteers with Canine Companions. You go through the normal volunteer sign–up process by completing an onboarding process, which includes submitting a volunteer application and completing a virtual volunteer interview and orientation.
A Junior Ambassador Committee term lasts for one year. You are required to participate in service projects and attend monthly virtual meetings from February to December. The virtual meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-6 p.m. PT/8:30-9 p.m. ET. Meeting dates and times are subject to change.
They participate in various virtual and in-person service projects, which may include:
- National Service Dog Month awareness activities in September.
- Canine Companions fundraising events, such as DogFest.
- Leadership opportunities, working side by side with other Canine Companions volunteers and staff members.
- Network and build partnerships with key players in the service dog industry.
- Gain leadership, project management and non-profit experience.
- Collaborate with staff and volunteers with a passion for making an impact in our communities.
- Serve as a possible future Junior Ambassador Mentor.
- Receive letters of recommendation for participation, with approval.
The Junior Ambassador Committee meets virtually. Committee members can complete service projects virtually and/or in person in partnership with Canine Companions staff and other volunteers. Click here to view your nearest Canine Companions regional office.
While the main deadline for applications to join the 2026 committee are accepted from December 2025 to January 2026, applications can be submitted on a rolling basis. If the Junior Ambassador Committee member slots are filled for the upcoming year, prospective candidates will be added onto a waitlist. Approved candidates on the waitlist will have priority, if a current member steps down or becomes inactive.
Click here to submit your volunteer interest form, and a member of our team will contact you within five to seven days upon receiving your application to answer your questions and talk about next steps.
Collegiate Puppy Raising
A club is a registered student organization, as defined by the institutions policy. The club must have a faculty advisor and consists of general members, puppy sitters and puppy raisers.
Individuals must be a student in good standing, or a faculty or staff member. Members must meet the minimum requirements for club membership as defined by the institution (e.g. meeting attendance, speaking engagements, etc.). Members must support Canine Companions through public awareness and fundraising.
1. Puppy raisers must meet all criteria of membership (above) and have completed their first full year of college.
2. Puppy raising applicants must complete the application and be accepted by the Canine Companions puppy program.
You can get involved in many other roles including general volunteerism or puppy sitting (see below for requirements).
A puppy sitter is a part-time caregiver for a Canine Companions puppy. Sitters temporarily take on responsibilities for caring for and socializing the puppy.
1. Puppy sitters must meet the general membership requirements (above) and complete dog training classes. Each club has its own requirements for becoming a puppy sitter in addition to general membership requirements.
2. Sitters must gain approval to house the puppy at their residence.
After a student has met all of the club’s requirements for raising, they can submit an application to Canine Companions to become a puppy raiser to begin the approval process. A student’s college and home/dorm environment must be compatible with the requirements for raising a Canine Companions puppy. Considerations such as course credit workload, other club or sports activities, jobs, internships, etc. are all discussed and evaluated.
Puppies are placed with puppy raisers at approximately eight weeks of age, and spend the first year and a half with the puppy raiser before being returned to the closest Canine Companions training center. Puppy raisers must attend a minimum of two training classes per month during class semesters. Click here for more details and the main responsibilities of the raiser.
Prison Puppy Raising
The facility assumes the cost of keeping the puppies assigned to their students. This would include transportation of the puppies to and from the Canine Companions regional training center, vet care, food, grooming equipment, crates, leashes, toys and training.
A puppy class trainer can be a Canine Companions employee, volunteer or an employee of the institution. The puppy handlers are responsible for the same socialization and training as any volunteer puppy raiser.
Potential incarcerated puppy handlers are selected by the facility with guidelines provided by Canine Companions. The Canine Companions puppy program manager conducts a placement and training seminar with those selected to be sure they are appropriate with puppies and committed to the program.
Although no environment, inside or outside of a prison setting is 100% risk free, the prison program participants go through a rigorous selection process prior to raising a puppy. If they are selected, they must remain clear of any disciplinary action to stay in the program.
The main difference is prison puppies are on a set repetitive schedule because of the confined environment in which they are being raised. This schedule is that of their puppy raiser, these puppies accompany the handlers throughout the day: mealtimes, daily work assignments, recreational periods, etc. Additionally, specific times have been incorporated in their schedule for feeding, toileting, training, and exercising the puppies. In the evening the puppies are crated in the cells. Periodically non-incarcerated volunteers take the puppies outside of the prison environments to acclimate them to a variety of public settings (roads, stores, children, other animals, sounds, and noises) they would not normally experience in the prison setting. This is an important element in the proper socialization of a Canine Companions puppy.
Handlers participate in weekly training classes. The puppy raisers are also given “training’ time every day to practice skills with the puppies. Structured classes are held at the prison anywhere from once a day to once a week. Each prison program agrees to adhere to the Canine Companions Puppy Raising guidelines, and the participants follow the Puppy program materials closely.
Publicly-run prisons do not receive any state funding for their programs and thus rely on the generosity of private donations and grants secured by Canine Companions.
Breeder Caretaker FAQ
A volunteer who provides a loving home and excellent care for a Canine Companions active breeder dog throughout their breeding career. Breeder dogs are Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, or a cross of the two breeds. Once the breeder dog retires, the breeder caretaker has the option to adopt the retired breeder dog.
- Male breeder caretaker – the frequency that a male breeder dog is required for breeding varies. A breeder caretaker for a male breeder dog can potentially be called to come to Canine Companions headquarters in Santa Rosa, California, for breeding a few times a month, as well as for veterinary exams, as needed.
- Female breeder caretaker – female breeder dogs will come in for veterinary exams, as needed. Breeder caretakers for female breeders have the option to host the whelps and litters in their own home. The amount of time a whelp/litter requires can vary on an individual basis. Each pregnancy involves several trips to our headquarters in Santa Rosa, California. If the caretaker is hosting a home whelp, having a flexible schedule and/or additional support is necessary to provide litter care, especially during the first three weeks after birth. Litter support and care will be needed until the puppies return to Canine Companions to begin their journeys with their volunteer puppy raisers (between seven to eight weeks of age).
Breeders regularly come to headquarters, including for breeding and veterinary visits throughout the year. Travel can be stressful for some dogs, especially when traveling long distances, so we want to minimize any additional exposure to stress for our breeder dogs. We have a very large local breeder caretaker community that helps by providing support, training and supplies to new breeder caretakers, so proximity to other breeding program volunteers is important. Lastly, having access to 24/7 emergency veterinary care is required.
Many factors go into the evaluation of a breeder dog candidate. The breeder selection team evaluates each dog’s health, genetics and temperament, as well as their soundness for breeding. Through our rigorous breeder selection process, a very small percentage of candidates are selected as breeders in our program.
No, you don’t need to have whelping experience to become a breeder caretaker. However, prior experience caring for dogs or puppies is helpful, but not required. We have experienced volunteers and staff who will provide direct support throughout your journey as a breeder caretaker. In addition, we host breeder caretaker seminars throughout the year for educational touchpoints, and you’ll have opportunities to connect with fellow volunteers.
When it comes to maintaining the health of a breeder dog, the majority of services and costs are covered by Canine Companions, including annual exams, vaccinations, health screenings, preventatives, etc. There are additional expenses throughout the breeder dog’s career that the volunteer breeder caretaker is responsible for, such as food for male breeder dogs and females (when they’re not pregnant or with a litter) and some equipment (For example: leashes and grooming tools). New! Thanks to our partnership with Eukanuba, active Canine Companions volunteer breeder caretakers now have access to discounts on Eukanuba diets for cats and dogs and VCA veterinary care for up to four pets in their home. More details will be discussed during the application process.
We ask breeder caretakers to identify a veterinarian for their breeder dog, if they need to seek care for them locally. It’s also essential to have 24-hour emergency veterinary hospitals identified in your area, in case of an emergency. During the dog’s breeding career, most veterinary services are provided by Canine Companions. Additional details will be discussed during the application process.
We never know when a natural disaster or a life event is going to strike, however, it’s always important to be prepared. Canine Companions and the local breeding program volunteer community are here to support you in case of an emergency, and we’ll assist you, if alternate placement options are needed.
Absolutely! Puppy raisers need to go through the breeder caretaker application process once their puppy matriculates (goes into official service dog training) and starts professional training. If approved, the puppy raiser can become the dog’s breeder caretaker, if the dog is selected as a breeder and a volunteer home is deemed safe and secure to house a breeder dog.
Yes, there are opportunities to volunteer in both programs! There are some guidelines regarding caring for a breeder dog and puppy in the same household. For example, once the female breeder dog is confirmed pregnant, the puppy will be relocated to another approved puppy raiser’s home until the new litter is seven to eight weeks old (a total average of three months). The puppy program manager can assist you with relocating the puppy to another home or to one of the prison puppy raising programs, if appropriate. Further guidelines will be reviewed during the application process.
Yes, we have a variety of opportunities that range from fostering dogs to supporting some of our litters with enrichment and socialization. If you’d like to learn more about other volunteering opportunities within the breeding program, please click the “request more information”’ link below.
Sponsor a Puppy FAQ
Click on the “Sponsor” button of the puppy you would like to sponsor and complete the form. Be sure to include the contact information of the person you would like to receive the updates. If you would like to sponsor both puppies, please complete each form separately.
Your support helps Canine Companions provide expertly trained service dogs to people with disabilities FREE of charge, creating lasting partnerships and helping children, adults and veterans to live with greater independence.
Within the first month of sponsoring your puppy, you will receive a Sponsorship Kit in the mail. After that, you’ll get detailed email updates every four months, sharing new photos, what your puppy has been learning and what’s coming next in their journey to become a service dog. You’ll also receive shorter email touchpoints in between to keep you connected. Plus, we’ll send a special birthday card on your puppy’s first birthday and a mailed announcement when they enter professional training to begin their service dog career.
Canine Companions service dogs spend approximately two years being raised and trained for this important work. Your sponsorship makes this journey possible.
It takes an exceptional dog to graduate as a service dog, and not every dog is suitable. All dogs must meet our standards of trained skills, health and temperament to ensure quality placements and happy working dogs. Because of this, it is important to note that a Canine Companions puppy can be released from the program at any time. Ongoing updates will be provided through professional training until graduation or release.
If your sponsored puppy is released from the service dog program, it’s always in the best interest of the dog. We ensure every dog undergoes thorough health and behavioral evaluations. If they aren’t suited for a service or facility dog role, we explore other options like adoption into a loving home.
If this happens, you still have the chance to make a difference! For those on a monthly plan, your payments are committed for the full year, a total of $240, even if the puppy’s journey takes a different path. While sponsorship doesn’t automatically roll over, you’re welcome to sponsor another puppy and continue making a difference.
The cost to sponsor a puppy is $240, or $20 a month paid over 12 installments. This donation will contribute to our mission of providing these expertly trained service dogs to children, adults and veterans with disabilities at no cost, allowing them to lead a life of greater independence. Plus, you’ll get a lot of puppy cuteness along the way!
Yes! Sponsorship of a puppy makes a great gift. When you complete the Sponsor as a Gift form, be sure to indicate a mailing address for the gift recipient.
Yes! Check back for our next puppies available for sponsorship, coming March.
Unfortunately, we cannot offer opportunities to meet sponsored puppies in person due to location limitations and privacy of our volunteer puppy raisers.
If you sponsored a puppy but did not receive your sponsorship kit, please contact the Canine Companions Sponsor a Puppy Support Team at (707) 577-1700 or by clicking here.
