Volunteer Opportunities
Whether you’re interested in hands-on puppy care, providing a temporary home, or offering specialized skills, there’s a way for you to get involved and make a difference with Wellness Wags!
Join our mission and help shape the future of a life-changing service dog!
At Wellness Wags, we rely on a dedicated community of volunteers who help raise, support, and care for our future service dogs, as well as assist with the many behind-the-scenes tasks that make our work possible.
Roles vary in commitment level, location, and flexibility. Because our volunteer opportunities are closely connected to the real-time needs of the dogs in our program, timing can vary throughout the year depending on litters, training stages, and placement needs. This means onboarding timelines aren’t always predictable, and wait times may range from a few weeks to several months.
Explore our Volunteer Opportunities Below!
Puppy Raising & In-Home Care
Puppy Raiser (approx. 18-month commitment)
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis. Wait times for placement may range from a few weeks to several months depending on current program needs and dog availability.
Puppy Raisers provide a foundation of care, socialization, and basic training for a future service dog. This role requires living within HRM, East Hants, or West Hants, and being willing to travel to weekly puppy classes across the Halifax/Dartmouth/Sackville/Bedford areas, as well as occasional veterinary appointments in Burnside and/or Mount Uniacke. While vehicle ownership is not required, reliable access to transportation is essential, including the ability to arrange rides (such as renting a vehicle, borrowing, or using taxi/rideshare services) when needed for classes, appointments, or emergencies.
Puppy Sitter (up to 1-month commitment)
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis. Wait times for placement may range from a few weeks to several months depending on current program needs and dog availability.
Puppy Sitters provide short-term care when a Puppy Raiser is unavailable. Volunteers should live within approximately one hour of HRM and be willing to travel into the city for pick-up and drop-off of dogs or supplies, as well as attend occasional vet appointments in Burnside or Mount Uniacke.
Breeder Foster Home (5+ year commitment)
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis. Wait times for placement may be several months or longer depending on current program needs and breeder dog availability.
Breeder Foster Homes provide long-term, loving homes for breeding dogs while they remain part of our breeding program. This role includes ongoing care, regular communication with our team, and travel for veterinary appointments, training, and breeding-related needs.
Doggy Dorms Host (2–3 month rotational commitment) – NEW!
Applications are currently open for upcoming advanced training dogs. Wait times for placement are typically a few weeks to a few months, depending on training timelines and dog availability.
Doggy Dorms Hosts provide temporary homes for dogs in advanced training as they prepare for graduation and placement. These dogs continue training with our team throughout their stay while benefiting from a structured home environment where they can rest, practice routines, and generalize their skills in everyday life. Hosts must live in Mount Uniacke or very nearby, be able to coordinate scheduled pick-ups and drop-offs along East Uniacke Road, and provide a calm, consistent environment that follows program guidelines. Wellness Wags provides food, supplies, veterinary care, and ongoing support throughout the placement.
Whelper Helper (8-week commitment) – NEW!
Applications are currently open for our upcoming litter expected in mid-June. We will be in touch with volunteers as soon as possible as litter timelines are confirmed and scheduling is finalized.
Whelper Helpers support the daily care and early development of future assistance dog puppies during their first weeks of life. Volunteers assist Wellness Wags staff and volunteers with tasks such as cleaning, laundry, restocking supplies, monitoring puppies, puppy socialization, and supporting the care of mom and litter from birth to approximately 8 weeks old. This position is based at our HQ in Mount Uniacke. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old, have prior dog experience, reliable transportation to Mount Uniacke, and be comfortable following detailed care protocols in a fast-paced environment. The minimum commitment is one 4-hour shift per week, with preference given to volunteers available for additional shifts where possible.
Flexible & Remote Volunteer Roles
Applications for flexible and remote volunteer positions are accepted year-round. Onboarding timelines may range from a few weeks to several months depending on current organizational needs and volunteer capacity.
These positions offer flexible schedules, and many can be completed remotely depending on the role:
- Social Media Management
Help create, schedule, and manage content across social platforms to share updates and engage our community. - Content Creation
Support the development of written content and educational materials. - Event Support Volunteer
Assist at fundraising and community events by helping with setup, guest engagement, puppy handling, and general event operations. - Canine Chauffeur
Help transport dogs, puppies, or supplies to and from appointments, events, or training sessions as needed. - Grant Writing & Fundraising Support
Assist with researching funding opportunities, writing grant applications, and supporting fundraising campaigns and events. - Website Management
Help maintain and update the Wellness Wags website, ensuring information stays current and accessible. - Administrative Support
Provide behind-the-scenes assistance with data entry, communications, and organizational tasks. - Photography & Videography
Capture high-quality photos and videos of puppies, training sessions, and events to support storytelling and outreach.