Breeding Center Volunteers
The Nursery is where NEADS houses its purpose bred puppies and broods (mothers). Our broods stay in the nursery until the pups are about 6 to 7 weeks old, and the pups are housed until they are 8 weeks old. The nursery provides the pups with early socializations to help expose them to new sounds, surfaces, objects and people. We start socializations when a puppy turns 3 days old.
Nursery Volunteers work with nursery pups that are between 1 to 8 weeks old. They help with socializations, managing puppy play time, and giving one on one time to our broods. Volunteers also help with daily facility operations, which include doing laundry, cleaning puppy rooms, sweeping, etc.
The Breeding Kennel is where NEADS houses the broods (females) and studs (males) involved in our breeding program. Dogs in the Breeding Kennel range from 1 to 3 years of age and are housed in our kennel anywhere from a few days to 3 weeks, depending on the reason for their visit.
Breeding Kennel volunteers will give dogs 1:1 time, playtime, campus walks and snack enrichment. Volunteers also help with daily facility operations, which include doing laundry, cleaning runs, doing dishes, etc.
The Role of the Breeding Center Volunteer
Volunteers in the Breeding Center must be able to lift up to 20 pounds, bend repeatedly, step over baby gates, and be free of knee, back, shoulder & neck problems. Volunteers must engage in operations tasks like laundry, dishwashing, and sweeping, as well as spending hands-on time with puppies.
Breeding Center Volunteer Time Commitment
The time commitment for this volunteer position is a 2 ½ hour shift once a week for a 2-to-3-month period. We offer a morning (7:30am-10am) and afternoon (1:30pm-4pm) shift each day of the week.
Breeding Center Volunteer FAQs
Q. Is there a dress code for volunteering?
A. Yes. Dress for weather and closed toed shoes only. Keep in mind you would be working with dogs and clothes you wear to this shift may get dirty. If you are working in the Nursery for your shift, you will be expected to change into clean scrubs and crocs (provided by NEADS).
Q: Do I need to have dog experience in order to volunteer in the Nursery or Breeding Kennel?
A: No dog experience is required. Supervisors will train volunteers on NEADS handling policies and procedures, and build the volunteer’s confidence when interacting with dogs. All volunteers will also attend an orientation with staff prior to working in the Breeding Center.
Q: Do I get to choose whether I volunteer in the Nursery or Breeding Kennel?
A: No, volunteers will be cross trained in both areas and will be assigned to help in the Nursery or Breeding Kennel depending on the occupancy in each area. Assignments will given to volunteers in advance each week.
Q: What are the minimum requirements for volunteering in the Breeding Center?
A: In addition to the commitments in the role description section of this document, all volunteers must:
- Be 16 years of age or older
- Have a great work ethic and an enthusiastic attitude; be willing to assist staff in any area or for any project that may come up, which may include cleaning tasks projects, or being shifted to the other facility (Breeding Kennel or Nursery)
- Work independently and be able to follow instructions, including reading posted signage
- Be able to lift up to 30 lbs easily; bend, kneel, stoop, stand for 2-3 hours at a time, as this is an active volunteer role physically engaging with dogs
- Perform cleaning tasks with approved chemical cleaners, some of which have strong odors.
Additionally, ideal volunteer applicants live within a 45 minute one-way commute of NEADS. Previous experience indicates that volunteers living outside this radius are unable to sustain the commute long term (due to expense, traffic patterns, or long periods of adverse weather), and thus become unable to complete their 3 month commitment to NEADS.