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Help raise, train, and support life-changing assistance dogs — and be part of something that truly matters.
Dogs With Wings relies on an extraordinary network of volunteers to breed, raise, train, and support assistance dogs across Alberta and Western Canada. Without our volunteers, none of this would be possible.
Every dog that graduates and changes a life starts with a volunteer who opened their home and heart. Whether you're raising a puppy for 16 months or helping at a single fundraising event, your contribution is essential and deeply meaningful.
Join our community — because transformation starts with people like you.
Over 30 Years
of changing lives
200+ Volunteers
in our community
Hundreds of Dogs
trained & placed
Whatever your schedule, lifestyle, or experience, there's a meaningful volunteer role waiting for you.
Puppy raising is at the heart of our program. We now offer three commitment levels so you can find the fit that works for your schedule. The Puppy Holding Tank and Puppy Starter (Half Journey) are opportunities to do puppy raising for a portion of the full time — perfect if you can't commit to the complete 8–12 month journey.
A short-term opportunity to care for a puppy during the earliest part of their journey. Perfect for volunteers who want to experience puppy raising but can only commit to a shorter period.
Care for a puppy through the first half of their raising journey. This role covers a significant portion of the puppy's development while requiring a shorter commitment than the full program.
The complete puppy raising experience. Open your home and heart to a puppy for their full formative journey. Puppy Raisers are the foundation of our entire program — the first humans to give a future assistance dog unconditional love, structure, and confidence.
Support dogs who are refining their skills and transitioning toward placement. Advanced Raisers provide crucial real-world environments that help dogs apply their training in everyday situations.
Provide a safe and loving temporary home when a dog's regular raiser is unavailable. Boarding Homes are a flexible and vital part of our support network, keeping dogs in home environments at all times.
Be the face and voice of Dogs With Wings in your community. Community Connectors help raise awareness, build relationships, and support fundraising efforts that keep our programs running.
Care for a breeding dog and her litter during the earliest, most critical weeks of a puppy's life. Whelping Homes provide a safe, calm, and loving environment for birth and early development — the very beginning of every assistance dog's journey.
Make our events unforgettable. Event Volunteers assist at fundraisers, galas, community activations, and outreach events — helping create memorable experiences that advance our mission.
Use this quick overview to find a volunteer role that matches your lifestyle, time, and passion.
| Role | Time | Location | Commitment | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy Raiser | 12–16 months | Your Home | High | Families or individuals ready for a long-term commitment |
| Advanced Dog Raiser | Varies | Facility + Home | High | Experienced dog owners near our Edmonton facility |
| Boarding Home | Flexible | Your Home | Medium | Dog lovers who want to help without full-time commitment |
| Community Connector | Flexible | Community | Medium | Social, outgoing people passionate about advocacy |
| Whelping Home | 6–8 week periods | Your Home | High | Calm, attentive households comfortable with newborn pups |
| Event Volunteer | Occasional | Events | Flexible | Anyone who wants to help at one-time events |
Time
12–16 months
Location
Your Home
Commitment
High
Families or individuals ready for a long-term commitment
Time
Varies
Location
Facility + Home
Commitment
High
Experienced dog owners near our Edmonton facility
Time
Flexible
Location
Your Home
Commitment
Medium
Dog lovers who want to help without full-time commitment
Time
Flexible
Location
Community
Commitment
Medium
Social, outgoing people passionate about advocacy
Time
6–8 week periods
Location
Your Home
Commitment
High
Calm, attentive households comfortable with newborn pups
Time
Occasional
Location
Events
Commitment
Flexible
Anyone who wants to help at one-time events
Still not sure? Our team is happy to help you find the right fit.
Ask Us a QuestionYour journey as a Dogs With Wings volunteer starts with a single step. Apply today, attend an info session, or reach out — we're here to find the perfect role for you.
We host monthly volunteer information sessions — contact us to find out when the next one is.
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