– Volunteer Questionnaire

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Volunteer Questionnaire

OUR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:

Puppy/Dog Sitters: Puppy/Dog Sitters care for Saint Francis puppies and dogs on weekends or for periods of one or two weeks while their regular puppy raisers are on vacation, or to give dogs in training a change of scenery. Sitters help our Saint Francis puppies and dogs by exposing them to new friends and different places.  Saint Francis provides all equipment, food, and materials needed.

Puppy Raisers: We have short-term (3-5 months) and long-term (12-14 months) puppy raising opportunities.  Puppy Raisers are an integral part of our training program, opening their homes and hearts to future service dogs and helping them learn their basic obedience skills. Saint Francis provides all equipment, food, and materials needed for puppy raising.  Puppy Raisers attend weekly training classes, available in both Roanoke and Blacksburg.

ALL OF OUR DOG WALKER POSITIONS ARE CURRENTLY FILLED – Dog Walkers: Dog Walkers are needed on a weekly or substitute basis to walk dogs and puppies living in or visiting our kennels. Dog Walkers provide much needed socialization and exercise to promote overall good health for service dogs in training.

Contact us at 540-342-3647 or maggie@saintfrancisdogs.org

Angel Tree: Area shopping centers play generous hosts to our annual Angel Tree. The Angel Trees are on display from the end of November through December, and helps us collect donations of toys, treats, and gift cards for our puppies and dogs in training. Volunteers help construct and maintain tree decorations, and collect and distribute gifts.

Special Events: Volunteering to assist with a Saint Francis fundraising event is a wonderful way to have a great time while helping us strengthen our organization and mission. Our events could not take place without our army of helpers, and we appreciate each and every one of you.

All Purpose Volunteers: Our “all-purpose helpers” are those who are willing to help around our office, or may be interested in more specialized activities like washing crates, planting or trimming bushes, etc.  We will talk with you to find out what you may be interested in.

Service Projects: If your civic group, scout troop, fraternal organization or business is seeking a cooperative working and learning experience, a project at the Saint Francis Training Center, or for Saint Francis Service Dogs, may be right for you.

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Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicant must be seeking partnership with a service dog for support with a physical or developmental disability or a facility dog serving people with physical or developmental disabilities or in a courtroom setting.  We do not place emotional support, therapy, psychiatric, guide, or alert dogs.
  • Applicant must reside in the Commonwealth of Virginia and/or in the area within a 3 hour drive of our facility in Roanoke, Virginia at the time of application and final placement.
  • Applicant must have a fenced in yard with minimum dimensions of 36’ x 12’ x 4’ or the ability to construct a fence of these dimensions.  (This guideline does not necessarily apply to facility dog applicants.)
  • Applicant’s home must be a safe, healthy and loving environment for a dog to live in.
  • Applicant must demonstrate ability to provide for dog’s care monetarily, including feeding high quality dog food, providing for regular check-ups, purchase of flea and tick control, heartworm preventative, and any other medications, treatments or surgeries that may be needed.
  • Applicant may not have a pet dog in the home, unless an exception is made due to age or sickness of the pet dog. This guideline does not apply to service dogs already in the home or facility dog applicants.  
  • Applicant must show ability and willingness to keep service dog under control at all times.
  • Applicant must show ability and willingness to travel to Roanoke for screening, classes, interviews, 5-day training, and scheduled certification and recertification tests. Applicant must be able to pay for all travel expenses, including overnight stays during 5-day training (this includes in-town applicants). 

Founding Big Dogs

Mr. and Mrs. Jake Allison
Kenneth “Andy” Anderson and Dr. Marti Anderson
Mike and Carol Anderson
Dr. Timothy Andriano
Peggy Bizjak
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Brunette
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Craver III
Ms. Jo Lynn Draper
Duffy Family Foundation
Mr. Peter Emch
Dr. and Mrs. Mark Finkler
First Four Petroleum LLC
Linda and Frank Foti
Mr. and Mrs. Victor Foti
Foti, Flynn, Lowen & Co.
Dr. and Mrs. Paul Frantz
Mr. Ed Hall
Happy Endings Bar and Grill
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Milward

Ms. Mary Anne Mullins and Mr. Christopher Robinson
Ms. Yvonne Olson
Mr. and Mrs. John Olver
Ms. Elizabeth Parsons
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Petrine
Mrs. Emily Reynolds
Mike and Krista Sinnott
Mrs. Joy Davis Smith
Mr. Marvin Smith
Mr. Maury Strauss, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Strauss
Ms. Suzanne Thorniley
Varsity Landscaping and Grounds
Karen and Chuck Wakeford
Mr. and Mrs. Barton Wilner
Ann Marie and Reggie Wood
Ms. Dianne Woody