Nights/Weekends Volunteers

Two people sitting on the floor with a black dog in between them, indoors.

What is a Nights/Weekends Volunteer?

Nights and Weekends Volunteers play a vital role in the care of our service dogs in advanced training. These volunteers house the dogs overnight, on weekends, and during holidays, ensuring they receive the rest and care they need before being placed with their future clients. Volunteers are responsible for bringing the dogs to our facility during the weekdays for training sessions.

What You’ll Do:

  • House dogs in advanced training during the evenings, weekends, and holidays

  • Transport the dogs to and from our facility (673 Berkmar Ct, Charlottesville, VA 22901) during the weekdays for training

  • Ensure that the dogs continue to build on the training they receive at the facility, maintaining consistency at home

Requirements for Nights/Weekends Providers:

  • Must be 18 years or older.

  • Complete a 2-3 hour, in-person, Volunteers Class prior to receiving a dog

  • Must live within commuting distance of Charlottesville, VA.

  • Comfortable transporting dogs to and from our facility on weekdays

Time Commitment:

  • 1 year commitment*

  • Maybe asked to bring a dog or attend SDV event on nights or weekends

*We understand life can be unpredictable—shorter-term commitments may be available on a case-by-case basis.

For more details, check out our Nights/Weekends Provider FAQs section below.

Steps to Becoming a Nights/Weekends Volunteer

  1. Submit an online application

  2. Attend a SDV Volunteer Class. Classes are offered 3 times a year in February, May, and September. Our next class will be held on September 6, 2025.

  3. Schedule a home visit with SDV staff

  4. Complete the on-line training course shortly before receiving your dog.

  5. Receive the SDV Service Dog in Training! (Please note that the wait time to receive a dog can be between 1 and 6 months.)

NIghts/Weekend provider FAQs

  • Our Nights and Weekends volunteers house our dogs in advanced training during the weekday nights and on weekends. They are responsible for bringing them to and from our facility (673 Berkmar Ct, Charlottesville, VA 22901) during the weekdays for training.

  • Yes, it’s important for the dog to get socialization and experience outside of training. Your dog’s training will discuss what outing are appropriate when you receive the dog.

  • Yes. Dogs in advanced training can be left at home for a maximum of 4 hours.

  • Typically the dogs start advanced training at 1 year. Some dogs may start as late as 15 months.

  • Typically dogs are in advanced training for a year before placement.

  • A fenced yard is highly desirable. Please note: Electric or invisible fences are not permitted.

  • As long as you provide SDV reasonable notice, we can arrange for a respite volunteer to take care of your dog while you are on vacation or need a break. We also like our puppies to become accustomed to new experiences and occasionally may ask you to let your puppy go to a respite provider for a few days even when you don’t have travel plans.

  • Yes, if your other pets don’t mind having a young, energic dog in the house. If you have cats or other dogs that don’t apricate the presence of other dogs (or only get along with “older, calm” dogs), then it might not be a good fit.

Still have questions? Feel free to email us at volunteer@servicedogsva.org.

Return to Volunteer Opportunities