Do you love dogs? Could you see yourself welcoming a future guide dog puppy into your life? Do you have time during your day to introduce a pup to the world around them and help them take their first steps toward becoming a future guide dog? CNIB Guide Dogs is growing our team of volunteer Puppy Raisers and Boarders. 

As a volunteer with CNIB Guide Dogs, you can help change the life of a person who is blind or partially sighted. 

People with sight loss often say having a guide dog is a transformational experience. Being part of a guide dog team provides mobility, safety and confidence, leading to increased independence and a sense of connection with the world. At CNIB Guide Dogs, we raise, train and match dogs with Canadians who are blind or partially sighted. We also raise our voices to ensure people with sight loss have opportunities to live, work and play without barriers.

We are looking for people who are dedicated to caring for pups during their first year of life and starting them on their journey to becoming Guide Dogs. Previous experience with dogs is not required. If you’re eager to learn, the CNIB Guide Dogs team is here to provide you with support and training, so you can feel confident in your volunteer role.  

Volunteer Positions

• Puppy Raiser

• Puppy Starter

• Puppy Finisher

• Boarder

Puppy Raiser

From ages 8 weeks to 12-15 months, you would provide a safe, loving home to one of our future Guide Dog puppies. With support from CNIB Guide Dogs staff, you would play a pivotal role in raising the puppy to become a guide dog and help change the life of someone who is blind or partially sighted.

Learn more about the role in this short video from AMI!

This includes:

• Daily socialization in a variety of environments and situations
• Daily walks on the leash
• Attending regular training sessions with your Puppy Raising Supervisor during business hours
  • Weekly 1:1 training session in the first 4 weeks with the puppy
  • Monthly 1:1 and group sessions from the fourth week until the puppy goes to formal training
• House training
• Obedience training
• Feeding
• Grooming
• Taking the puppy for routine veterinary visits
• Providing updates on the puppy’s progress 

Time Commitment: 

• 12-15 months
• Availability during business hours

Locations:

• Vancouver, BC (Metro Vancouver)
• Calgary, AB 
• Halifax, NS
• Regina, SK
• Toronto, ON (East of Bathurst St, and South of Highway 407) 
• Winnipeg, MB

If you live in one of the above locations and are interested in bringing a future guide dog into your home for approximately a year, we are eager to hear from you. 

Please note that in order to provide the volunteers and puppies with required support from CNIB staff members, we are only able to place puppies in the above locations. 

What we are looking for:

• People who are relaxed and comfortable around dogs
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage positively with CNIB staff members, fellow volunteers, and community members 
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to maintain a steady daily routine for a puppy and track their progress
• Excellent interpersonal skills 
• Flexible schedule, with the ability to dedicate a significant amount of time and effort to a puppy
• Open-minded and flexible in your dog training and care ideas and willing comply with CNIB Guide Dog training and care methods
• Dog handling skills are an asset

Home Environment:

• Your home is located in one of our Puppy Club locations
• Dogs are permitted in your home
• You have quick access to a safe and suitable relief area for a puppy, ideally a paved surface
• All members of your household are happy to have a puppy living in your home for approximately a year
• Your home is clean and clutter-free (we can support with puppy-proofing)
• All pets in your home, are friendly and fully vaccinated
• Smoke-free home

Please note that as a part of the application process, a CNIB Guide Dogs staff member will complete a home assessment to ensure that the home is a suitable environment for a future guide dog.

What we require:

• You are 18 years of age or older
• You have access to a vehicle for transportation of a puppy
• You have access to the internet and an e-mail address
• You would be able to cope with giving the puppy back at 12-15 months of age when they will enter their formal guide dog training
• You are able to safely handle a strong, energetic, large breed dog daily for up-to a year
• You are able to safely take the dog on walks outdoors in all four seasons in varying weather, including winter
• You are able to frequently take the dog to public places for required socialization
• You are willing to sign an agreement stating the terms and conditions of the Puppy Raising Program
• You are willing to complete an Enhanced Police Information Check via our background check partner Sterling Backcheck. All costs are covered by CNIB. 

What we provide: 

• CNIB Guide Dogs covers the costs of all necessary veterinary care, equipment, and food
• Individualized support from a Puppy Raising Supervisor
• Phone and e-mail support during business hours
• 24-hour emergency line
• Volunteer boarders are available on occasion for short-term care 
• Ongoing training, engagement, and learning opportunities with CNIB Guide Dogs

Apply Here!

If you are interested in becoming a CNIB Guide Dogs volunteer, please fill out the application form to get the process started. 

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Puppy Raising Starter

From ages 8 weeks to 6 months, you would provide a safe, loving home to one of our future Guide Dog puppies. With support from CNIB Guide Dogs staff, you would play a pivotal role in raising the puppy to become a guide dog and help change the life of someone who is blind or partially sighted.

This role is best suited to those who enjoy the early stages of a puppy's life. As a Puppy Raising Starter, you’ll help potty train a puppy, build a foundation for obedience training and good manners, and most importantly, start your puppy off on the right “paw” with their socialization. Future Guide Dog puppies will need to attend several veterinary appointments. Their socialization schedule and training will keep you busy as they learn to cope with and navigate various environments, including their first few exposures riding on public transit.

This includes:

• Daily socialization in a variety of environments and situations
• Daily walks on the leash
• Attending regular training sessions with your Puppy Raising Supervisor during business hours
  • Weekly 1:1 training session in the first 4 weeks with the puppy
  • Monthly 1:1 and group sessions from the fourth week until the puppy moves onto a Puppy Raising Finisher
• House training and leash relieving
• Home behaviour training
• Obedience training
• Feeding
• Grooming
• Taking the puppy for routine veterinary visits
• Providing updates on the puppy’s progress 

Time Commitment: 

• Approx. 4 months
• Availability during business hours to attend training sessions in various locations

Locations:

• Vancouver, BC (Metro Vancouver)
• Calgary, AB 
• Halifax, NS
• Regina, SK
• Toronto, ON (East of Bathurst St, and South of Highway 407)
• GTA (Including Ajax, Pickering, Oshawa and Whitby)
• Winnipeg, MB

If you live in one of the above locations and are interested in bringing a future guide dog into your home for approximately 4 months, we are eager to hear from you. 

Please note that in order to provide the volunteers and puppies with required support from CNIB staff members, we are only able to place puppies in the above locations and surrounding areas. 

What we are looking for:

• People who are relaxed and comfortable around dogs
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage positively with CNIB staff members, fellow volunteers, and community members 
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to maintain a steady daily routine for a puppy or guide dog in training and track their progress
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Flexible schedule, with the ability to dedicate a significant amount of time and effort to a puppy
• Open-minded and flexible in your dog training and care ideas and willing comply with CNIB Guide Dog training and care methods
• Dog handling skills are an asset

Home Environment:

• Your home is located in one of our Puppy Club locations
• Dogs are permitted in your home
• You have quick access to a safe and suitable relief area for a puppy, ideally a paved surface
• All members of your household are happy to have a puppy living in your home for approximately 6-4 months
• Your home is clean and clutter-free (we can support with puppy-proofing) 
• All pets in your home, are friendly and fully vaccinated
• Smoke-free home

Please note that as a part of the application process, a CNIB Guide Dogs staff member will complete a home assessment to ensure that the home is a suitable environment for a future guide dog.

What we require:

• You are 18 years of age or older
• You have access to a vehicle for transportation of a puppy
• You have access to the internet and an e-mail address
• You would be able to cope with giving the puppy back at 12-15 months of age when they will enter their formal guide dog training
• You are able to safely handle a strong, energetic, large breed dog daily for up-to a year
• You are able to safely take the dog on walks outdoors in all four seasons in varying weather, including winter
• You are able to frequently take the dog to public places for required socialization
• You are willing to sign an agreement stating the terms and conditions of the Puppy Raising Program
• You are willing to complete an Enhanced Police Information Check via our background check partner Sterling Backcheck. All costs are covered by CNIB. 

What we provide: 

• CNIB Guide Dogs covers the costs of all necessary veterinary care, equipment, and food
• Individualized support from a Puppy Raising Supervisor
• Phone and e-mail support during business hours
• 24-hour emergency line
• Volunteer boarders are available on occasion for short-term care 
• Ongoing training, engagement, and learning opportunities with CNIB Guide Dogs

Apply Here!

If you are interested in becoming a CNIB Guide Dogs volunteer, please fill out the application form to get the process started. 

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Puppy Raising Finisher 

From approx. 6 months to 12-15 months old, you would provide a safe, loving home to one of our future Guide Dog puppies. With support from CNIB Guide Dogs staff, you would play a pivotal role in raising the puppy to become a guide dog and help change the life of someone who is blind or partially sighted.

This role is best suited to those who may not be able to commit to those earlier stages of a puppy’s life but would still like to help raise a puppy with purpose. As a Puppy Raising Finisher, you’ll receive a 6-month-old puppy that is likely already toilet trained with most of their routine vaccinations completed. The puppy will have already spent the last 3 – 4 months building positive associations with the world around them, will have a basic understanding of their training, and may be able to settle quietly for up to an hour. 

This includes:

• Daily socialization in a variety of environments and situations
• Daily walks on the leash
• Attending regular training sessions with your Puppy Raising Supervisor during business hours
  • Weekly 1:1 training session in the first 4 weeks with the puppy
  • Monthly 1:1 and group sessions until the puppy moves onto formal training
• House training and leash relieving
• Home behaviour training
• Obedience training
• Feeding
• Grooming
• Taking the puppy for routine veterinary visits
• Providing updates on the puppy’s progress 

Time Commitment: 

• 6-9 months
• Availability during business hours to attend training sessions in various locations

Locations:

• Vancouver, BC (Metro Vancouver)
• Calgary, AB 
• Halifax, NS
• Regina, SK
• Toronto, ON (East of Bathurst St, and South of Highway 407)
• GTA (Including Ajax, Pickering, Oshawa and Whitby)
• Winnipeg, MB

If you live in one of the above locations and are interested in bringing a future guide dog into your home for approximately 6-9 months, we are eager to hear from you. 

Please note that in order to provide the volunteers and puppies with required support from CNIB staff members, we are only able to place puppies in the above locations and surrounding areas. 

What we are looking for:

• People who are relaxed and comfortable around dogs
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage positively with CNIB staff members, fellow volunteers, and community members 
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to maintain a steady daily routine for a puppy or guide dog in training and track their progress
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Flexible schedule, with the ability to dedicate a significant amount of time and effort to a puppy
• Open-minded and flexible in your dog training and care ideas and willing comply with CNIB Guide Dog training and care methods
• Dog handling skills are an asset

Home Environment:

• Your home is located in one of our Puppy Club locations
• Dogs are permitted in your home
• You have quick access to a safe and suitable relief area for a puppy, ideally a paved surface
• All members of your household are happy to have a puppy living in your home for approximately 6-9 months
• Your home is clean and clutter-free (we can support with puppy-proofing) 
• All pets in your home, are friendly and fully vaccinated
• Smoke-free home

Please note that as a part of the application process, a CNIB Guide Dogs staff member will complete a home assessment to ensure that the home is a suitable environment for a future guide dog.

What we require:

• You are 18 years of age or older
• You have access to a vehicle for transportation of a puppy
• You have access to the internet and an e-mail address
• You would be able to cope with giving the puppy back at 12-15 months of age when they will enter their formal guide dog training
• You are able to safely handle a strong, energetic, large breed dog daily for up-to a year
• You are able to safely take the dog on walks outdoors in all four seasons in varying weather, including winter
• You are able to frequently take the dog to public places for required socialization
• You are willing to sign an agreement stating the terms and conditions of the Puppy Raising Program
• You are willing to complete an Enhanced Police Information Check via our background check partner Sterling Backcheck. All costs are covered by CNIB. 

What we provide: 

• CNIB Guide Dogs covers the costs of all necessary veterinary care, equipment, and food
• Individualized support from a Puppy Raising Supervisor
• Phone and e-mail support during business hours
• 24-hour emergency line
• Volunteer boarders are available on occasion for short-term care 
• Ongoing training, engagement, and learning opportunities with CNIB Guide Dogs

Apply Here!

If you are interested in becoming a CNIB Guide Dogs volunteer, please fill out the application form to get the process started. 

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Boarder

Boarders provide temporary care for future CNIB Guide Dogs. With support from CNIB Guide Dogs staff, you would play a pivotal role in supporting future guide dogs and help change the life of someone who is blind or partially sighted.

This includes:

• Providing a safe, comfortable, and secure, environment for the dog
• Providing updates on the dog's progress
• Transporting the dog to training areas as needed 
• Maintaining the dog’s training, routine, and appropriate social behaviour 

Time Commitment: 

• Minimum 6 months
• Long-term and short-term opportunities, depending on location and need
• Regular and casual opportunities, depending on location and need
• Availability on evenings, weekends, and holidays is considered an asset

Locations:

• Vancouver, BC (Metro Vancouver)
• Calgary, AB 
• Carleton Place, ON (and surrounding area)
• Halifax, NS
• Kemptville, ON
• Regina, SK
• Toronto, ON (East of Bathurst St, and South of Highway 407)
• Winnipeg, MB

If you live in one of the above locations and are interested in bringing a future guide dog into your home on a temporary basis, we are eager to hear from you. 

Please note that in order to provide the volunteers and puppies with required support from CNIB staff members, we are only able to board dogs in the above locations. 

What we are looking for:

• People who are relaxed and comfortable around dogs
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage positively with CNIB staff members, fellow volunteers, and community members 
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to maintain a steady daily routine for a puppy or guide dog in training and track their progress
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Flexible schedule, with the ability to dedicate a significant amount of time and effort to a puppy or guide dog in training while in your care
• Open-minded and flexible in your dog training and care ideas and willing comply with CNIB Guide Dog training and care methods
• Dog handling skills are an asset

Home Environment:

• Your home is located in one of our Boarding locations
• Dogs are permitted in your home
• You have quick access to a safe and suitable relief area for a puppy, ideally a paved surface
• All members of your household are happy to have a puppy or guide dog in training living in your home temporarily
• Clean and tidy home 
• All pets in your home, are friendly and fully vaccinated
• Smoke-free home

Please note that as a part of the application process, a CNIB Guide Dogs staff member will complete a home assessment to ensure that the home is a suitable environment for a future guide dog.

What we require:

• You are 18 years of age or older
• You have access to a vehicle for transportation of a puppy or guide dog in training
• You have access to the internet and an e-mail address
• You are able to safely handle a strong, energetic, large breed dog while they are in your care
• You are able to safely take the dog on walks outdoors in all four seasons in varying weather, including winter
• You are willing to sign an agreement stating the terms and conditions of the Boarding Program
• You are willing to complete an Enhanced Police Information Check via our background check partner Sterling Backcheck. All costs are covered by CNIB

What we provide: 

• CNIB Guide Dogs covers the costs of all necessary veterinary care, equipment, and food
• Individualized support from CNIB Guide Dogs staff members
• Phone and e-mail support during business hours
• 24-hour emergency line
• Ongoing training, engagement, and learning opportunities with CNIB Guide Dogs

Apply Here!

If you are interested in becoming a CNIB Guide Dogs volunteer, please fill out the application form to get the process started. 

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Follow the CNIB Guide Dogs journey from puppy to partner on Instagram: