Volunteers who host our dogs in their homes are at the heart and soul of what we do. They raise our dogs and train them to transform our clients’ lives.
You can choose to take in dogs as young as 10 weeks old, as old as 2.5 years of age, and anywhere in between.
Can Do Canines provides dog food, comprehensive training for volunteers, vet care, and 24-hour emergency phone support. You provide a loving home, consistent training, and a few basic dog supplies.
Volunteers can have other pets in the home, full-time jobs, and unfenced yards! See more FAQs.
Step 1: Learn About Our Opportunities
Raisers
A Raiser is a volunteer who takes dogs into their home for a week or longer. A Raiser can host a dog for as short as one week, as long as two years, and anything in between! With our program, it is your choice how long you agree to host each dog in your home!
Raisers are required to provide a safe, caring environment for our dogs; take them for daily exercise; maintain their household manners; attend to their grooming needs; bring them to monthly training classes and vet appointments with us; and take the dogs out into public places like malls, restaurants, and sporting events.
Sitters
A Sitter cares for a dog for up to six days, while the dog’s Raiser is traveling, ill, injured, etc. Sitters must provide a safe, caring environment for our dogs; take them for daily exercise; and maintain their household manners.
Sitters cannot bring dogs to trainings with us or to public places like stores, events, or workplaces. This is because six days is not enough time to build the trust and relationship with the dog that is necessary for taking them into these types of settings.
Sitters can attend trainings at Can Do Canines, but we ask that they not bring a dog they have had in their care for less than a week.
Breeder Hosts
Our breeding dogs are a special and essential part of our program. They not only produce puppies that grow up to be life-changing assistance dogs, but are also critical to the health and quality of our dogs, generation after generation. Breeder hosts are volunteers who care for our breeding females and males in the same way as Raisers, with the addition of being available for more frequent veterinary and breeding appointments as needed.
Home Stay Hosts for Prison Program Dogs
We operate dog training programs in many prisons across Minnesota and Wisconsin, including:
- Waseca, MN
- Rochester, MN
- Stanley, WI, and
- Black River Falls, WI
Many of our dogs will go to a Prison Training Program at four-and-a-half months of age and stay in the program for eight months. During this time, two carefully chosen inmates are assigned to each dog, providing round-the-clock care for the puppy, as well as basic obedience and assistance dog training. It is crucial that these dogs also learn good household manners and get exposed to as many everyday situations as possible during their first, formative year.
Home Stay Hosts make this possible. These volunteers work with dogs for two-week timeframes, two to four times a year. Volunteers can pickup and drop off the dogs at the prison or at Can Do Canines.
Home Stay Hosts are expected to provide a safe, caring environment for our dogs, take them for daily exercise, maintain their household manners, socialize them to items and sounds around the home that they don’t experience in a prison setting (such as kitchen appliances, cleaning supplies, etc.), and take them to public places such as grocery stores, shopping malls, libraries, and more.
Tails & Testimonials
Hear from volunteers about their experiences in our program.
Jen's Family
After losing their pet dog, Jen’s family creates new memories with the dogs they host.
Ed Long
Ed shares how he finds purpose as a Raiser for Can Do Canines in retirement.
Elizabeth & Heather
Heather and Elizabeth share how volunteering fits into their lives while working from home.
Step 2: Review the Requirements
- Must be 18 or older
- Must live in Minnesota or Wisconsin
- Raisers, Sitters, and Breeder Hosts must be willing to travel to our location in New Hope, Minnesota for vet appointments and to either our New Hope location or Eau Claire, Wisconsin for monthly trainings.
- Home Stay Hosts must be willing to travel to the particular prison of their choosing or our New Hope, Minnesota location.
Unfenced yards and other pets are allowed. Review a list of other frequently asked questions on our FAQ page.
Step 3: Complete an Application
You’ve read through the various ways to get involved and are ready to dive in—that’s great! Please complete an online application and someone will contact you within a week. Please note that a submitted application does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
Once we receive your application, we will connect with you to schedule an informational phone call. You will then be asked to complete our orientation and submit videos of your home. If you have pets in the home, an in-person meet and greet might be required.
Throughout this process, we'll take time to get to know you and your lifestyle, answer any questions you may have, and talk more in-depth about the different roles and requirements.
We're glad you're here! At Can Do Canines, we strive to be a place that welcomes and supports everyone regardless of ability, age, cultural background, race, ethnicity, national origin, faith, ideology, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, income, or veteran status. We want to be an organization where all feel respected, appreciated, safe, and welcome.
Want a chance to learn even more before applying?
Join us at our next open house, where you can hear firsthand from a volunteer and talk with our Volunteer Coordinator.
Have questions? Contact our Volunteer Team.
Send an email to volunteer@candocanines.org or call 763-200-6191.
Contact Us
Location
