🐾Nurture Future Service Dogs. Empower People Living with Disabilities. Transform Lives.
At ECAD, volunteering isn’t just about giving your time — it’s about transforming lives, one tail wag at a time. Whether you're brushing a future Service Dog, hosting a pup for the weekend, or lending a hand behind the scenes, your support helps train purpose-bred dogs into life-transforming companions for people with disabilities.
If you believe in the power of partnership, purpose, and a well-placed belly rub, there’s a place for you at ECAD!
🌟 Why Your Time Matters
- Prepare dogs to meet their clients’ unique needs
- Support compassionate, individualized training
- Increase the number of Service Dogs ECAD can place annually
- Build stronger, more inclusive communities
"From kennel care to cuddles, you are part of the bond that empowers independence."
🐶 Volunteer Opportunities
🏡 Home for the Weekend Program
Ages 18+ | Weekends & Holidays | 6-Month Commitment, 2x Monthly
Want dog time without the full-time commitment? Be a weekend hero.
Through this short-term fostering program, you’ll welcome a Service Dog in training into your home for the weekend—giving them the chance to rest, recharge, and learn how to thrive in the real world. We supply the food, crate, leash, and training guidance. You supply the love, practice, and life experience. Two days can make a life-long difference.
“Just a weekend. Just your home. Just what they need.”
Apply Now | Learn More | Home for the Weekend FAQ
🐣 Nursery Team
Ages 18+ | 6–9 Month Commitment
Want to be someone’s first favorite human? As a Nursery Team home, you’ll care for a puppy in its earliest stage—helping teach crate training, house manners, and social basics before they head to formal training. It's a few months of puppy snuggles, basic skills, and early confidence-building that will shape the Service Dog they’re meant to be.
“Be the start of something extraordinary.”
Apply Now | Learn More | Nursery Team FAQ
🧽 Junior Canine Crew (CT Campus)
Ages 12–17 | Afterschool, Weekends, Holidays | 6-Month Commitment
Are you between 12 and 17 and passionate about helping dogs and people? Join our Youth Volunteer team, Junior Canine Crew, and spend weekends, school breaks, holiday or afterschool caring for Service Dogs in training. You'll help clean kennels, groom, exercise, and support the team while learning valuable skills in a hands-on environment. While direct dog interaction isn’t guaranteed, your hard work supports every step of a service dog’s journey.
“Your mission? Keep Service Dogs in training happy, healthy, and on track to change someone’s life. It’s real work with real heart—and maybe a little fur in the process.”
Apply Now | Junior Canine Crew FAQ
🛁 Canine Care Crew (CT Campus)
Ages 18+ | Mondays & Wednesdays 10AM–2PM | 6-Month Commitment
Love a well-groomed pup and a productive walk? Join our on-campus weekday Canine Care Crew and help brush, bathe, walk, and cuddle our service dogs in training. You’ll be a calm presence, a steady hand, and part of the daily love they need to build trust and skills.
“Bonus: Instant stress relief, guaranteed.”
🚗 Doggie Dashers
Ages 18+ | Weekdays | 6-Month Commitment
For the volunteers who make sure our pups never miss an appointment—because great health starts with great rides. As a Doggie Dasher, you’ll help transport ECAD dogs to and from vet appointments ensuring they get where they need to be, safely and on time. If your schedule is flexible and your car’s dog-friendly, you’re already halfway there.
“Some superheroes drive.”
🛋️ Puppy Sitters
Ages 18+ | Flexible Avaliability | 6-Month Commitment
Can’t commit to Nursery Team? But really want to take a puppy home for a few days a week? Then becoming a Puppy Sitter is the best of both worlds. Open your home for a weekend or a few days to one of our youngest Service Dogs in Training (under 9 months). Your time helps reinforce house manners, crate time, basic cues, and confident exploring beyond campus. We provide the essentials—food, crate, leash, and training guidance. You provide the structure, care, and a safe place to learn. A short stay; a big step forward.
“A few days with you means a lifetime of difference for them.”
📝 Ready to Volunteer?
We welcome compassionate, committed individuals and families ready to make a difference — whether it’s once a month or every week.