Nights/Weekends Volunteers

Help Support Service Dogs in the Final Phase of Training

Apply to Be a Nights/Weekend Volunteer
Read Nights/Weekend Volunteer FAQs

Why Nights/weekends Volunteers Matter

Our dogs in advanced training spend their weekdays building the skills they’ll need to succeed as working service dogs. Because we do not currently have a kennel facility, these dogs also need a safe, calm place to stay when training is done—including weeknights, weekends, and holidays.

By hosting an advanced-training dog during off-hours, you provide the stable home base that supports consistent progress all the way to graduation and placement.

Is Being a Weeknight/Weekend Host a Good Fit?

Age: You are 18 years or older.

Location: You live within commuting distance of Charlottesville, VA.

Transportation: You’re comfortable transporting dogs to and from our facility on weekdays.

Occasional evenings/weekends: You may be asked to bring a dog or support an SDV event on nights or weekends.

Commitment length:About 1 year. We understand life can be unpredictable—shorter-term commitments may be available on a case-by-case basis.

Training + Support We Provide

You won’t do this alone. Nights/weekend volunteers receive support through:

  • Ongoing guidance from our trainers and team so you always know what to do and who to contact

  • Food and medications provided for the dog while they are in your care

Questions

Contact SDV to speak with our volunteer coordinator. We’re here to help!

Two young adults, a man and a woman, are smiling as they pose with a black dog indoors. The man is wearing a dark shirt and blue shorts, while the woman is wearing a tie-dye T-shirt. They are sitting on the floor in front of a bookshelf. The woman is holding the dog, and both appear happy.

What You’ll Do

  • A service dog in a red vest standing on grass near a farm animal enclosure with black cows lying on hay.

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

  • A dog sticking its head out of a car window with a blurred background.

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

  • A service dog lying on the floor of a store, wearing a red vest with a medical alert symbol, next to shelves of greeting cards.

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

Your Path to Volunteering

  • Fill out an application so we can get to you know you

  • Participate in our required volunteer training class. Classes are offered 3 times a year in February, May, and September.

  • Schedule a home visit with our staff

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

  • 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.

Apply Now!