Junior Ambassador Committee

Do you believe in the power of the human-canine bond?

Join a group of passionate volunteers who are making a difference in your communities!

Independence shouldn’t be limited to those who look or live a certain way. Disability reaches all races, classes and backgrounds. Canine Companions provides service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities, as well as facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice and educational settings.

Canine Companions is looking to expand our leadership roles by forming a new Junior Ambassador Commitee. This program will be comprised of students and young professionals, ages 17 to 32, with a passion and commitment to Canine Companions and making a difference in the disability community.

As a Junior Ambassador Committee member, you have opportunities to:

  • 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.
A young girl kneeling on the grass hugging a yellow lab wearing a yellow puppy vest

Interested in Joining?

Submit an interest form today:
Submit an Interest Form

Current Junior Ambassador Committee Members

Avonlea (Addie)  Allred
Brinna Babich
Sophia Beal
Isabella Bider
Lauren Blostein
Lauren Brown
Elizabeth Callahan

Meghan Cunningham
Shahdee Delir
Julia Dillon
Aubrey Headon
Jack Heafey
Claire Hilton-Szedeli
Cate Jankunis

Logan Levine
Lexi Neckritz
Jack Sabo
Lily Swanson
Ariel Wilks
Joely Wilson

A Smiling young African American standing next to a yellow lab wearing a blue service vest
A young man holds two puppies in front of an airplane
two young volunteers next to a yellow lab puppy in a yellow puppy vest

FAQs

The Canine Companions Junior Ambassador Committee is comprised of a group of students and professionals, ages 17 to 32, 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:  

  • 17-32 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. Individual board 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 2023 board are accepted from December 2022 to January 2023, 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.