Volunteer at the Center

The first step is to attend a tour and a brief volunteer information session which are held monthly. After the tour, you will be invited to schedule an orientation session to learn more about the volunteer experience, including how to schedule your volunteer time at the PVWDC.

Check our website for the tour schedule and send an email to pvwdcoutreach@vet.upenn.edu to reserve a tour slot. Note that space is limited and tours fill up quickly!

The Working Dog Center is not open on weekends. Volunteer time can be scheduled anytime Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Volunteers support the Center and our trainers in many ways. Volunteers can video tape training sessions, collect data, help set up for training sessions, prepare training treats, label and organize videos, and maintain the cleanliness of the Center.

After a period of general volunteering, those interested in interacting with our dogs (e.g., walking, getting dogs on deck for training) must be trained, assessed, and cleared by their assigned trainer. This can be done over a period of time that is comfortable for the volunteer and is very much dependent on how frequently a volunteer is onsite.

Volunteers are not required to commit to a regular schedule, but are asked to sign up for their volunteer time a week in advance. In order for your time to be meaningful to you and to the PVWDC,  we strongly encourage a commitment of at least six hours per month, with a two-hour minimum shift when you are here.