Breeding Center Volunteers
Breeding Center Volunteers are cross trained to help in both our Nursery and our Breeding Kennel.
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.
Please note: All Breeding Center volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated (not including boosters) and to show NEADS Staff proof of vaccination prior to your first shift.
Breeding Center Volunteer FAQs
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).