Volunteer with Us!
We are always looking for volunteers for our programs. If you would like to volunteer for Thousand Hills Pet Resort, New Life K9s, Mission Cars, or Alpha Academy, we'd love to have you fill out our volunteer application below!
Steps to Become a Volunteer
1. Complete our Application
2. Phone Interview
3. Background Check
4. Onboarding and Training
5. Sign Up for a Shift
Volunteer Opportunities
Holiday Parade Float Building Volunteer
Program:
Son Care Foundation / ALL
2026 is SLO's 50th Anniversary Holiday Parade.
Once again, we are participating to celebrate the work of New Life K9s and to spread awareness of its mission to provide service dogs to Veterans and First Responders with PTSD, at no cost.
Join us to build an amazing float!
This volunteer opportunity is great for anyone interested in crafting, building, and assembling, which are the main tasks for our float builders. No previous experience needed. Woodcutting, building, and design skills and experience would be great!
We will meet in November. Details TBD.
Time:
Flexible in November and on evening of the parade 12/5
Commitment:
Construction/Decoration will be in November, leading to the Holiday Parade early December
Required Training:
No Training Required
Volunteers for our Annual Fundraiser
Program:
Son Care Foundation / ALL
Giving Paws for Hope is our annual fundraiser for New Life K9s and this year it is on October 24, 2026.
New Life K9s provides service dogs to veterans and first responders living with PTSD, at no charge. Our program collaborates with California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo, pairing incarcerated individuals looking to make a difference with future service dogs and to learn a new skill. This model helps us to maximize our funding thereby increasing our capacity to train and place dogs in the community. It also has a remarkle and positive impact on the incarcerated individuals, the prison staff, and the prison culture as a whole.
Our Volunteer Needs:
We have a need for
1) ongoing volunteers (auction committee starts meeting June/July)
2) volunteers for planning tasks
3) volunteers for the event itself
Tasks include calling donors, distributing flyers, helping to plan, set up and tear down the event venue, and supporting the logistics and hospitality aspects of the event.
You’ll also assist with collecting and recording donations and engaging with supporters to build our campaign’s impact.
This is for anyone who loves community outreach, fundraising, hospitality, and supporting an important cause.
Time:
Flexible during business hours
Commitment:
Varies depending on the volunteer task
Required Training:
Training with the Marketing and Events Coordinator, depending on your skill level.
Volunteer Driver
Program:
Mission Cars
Mission Cars is looking for an ongoing, on-call volunteer to assist with various tasks. These tasks might include picking up cars and returning them, getting cars washed, and having cars smog checked. This position is on-call, with the volunteer available for some hours each week. We are willing to accommodate your schedule and find on-call hours that work well for you.
Time:
On-Call as Needed
Commitment:
As needed / on call; minimum 8 hours over a four-month period
Required Training:
No training required, must have a valid driver's license
Office Assistant
Program:
Son Care Foundation / ALL
Join our team as a Volunteer Office Assistant to help keep our office running smoothly!
At this time, we are seeking a volunteer to help with database work and an organizational project.
Going forward, other tasks may include:
Answering phones, emails, and direct inquiries
Filing, sorting, and organizing documents
Assisting with light administrative tasks like mailing, copying, and maintaining office supplies
Generally, comfort and experience with computers is necessary. Our current and ongoing organizational project, however, does not require any computer work.
Time:
Flexible Monday-Friday during business hours.
Commitment:
Regular weekly hours required; minimum of 8 hours over a period of 4 months
Required Training:
Training with a staff member depending on specific tasks assigned.
Short-Term Puppy Raiser
Program:
New Life K9s
Short-term Puppy Raiser Volunteers provide temporary care for dogs when their primary Puppy Raiser Volunteers are unavailable or when dogs being raised in our prison program leave the prison environment for short-term furloughs. This is a great option for those unable to commit full-time but still want to support our mission.
Common situations include:
- Coverage during vacations, illness, or transitions
- Medical recovery requiring rest
- In-home behavior evaluation periods
Expectations and Requirements:
Attend monthly Puppy Raiser meetings
Pick up/drop off dogs as needed
Follow all training guidelines
If caring for a dog, complete all tasks expected of a full-time Puppy Raiser (outings, updates, meetings)
Ability to lift and carry 50lbs
Time:
Varies
Commitment:
Ongoing / On-Call
Required Training:
Orientation and multiple training sessions with a service dog trainer
Full-Time Puppy Parent
Program:
New Life K9s
As a full-time Puppy Raiser Volunteer, you will raise a puppy through their first year of life with guidance from New Life K9 trainers. You will help them master foundational training, house manners, and public behavior as they prepare for life as a service dog.
Expectations and Requirements:
Be 18 years old, or at least 13 years old with an adult co-raiser in the same household
Ability to have a dog in your home full-time for a minimum of 6 months
No personal dogs under 2 years of age living in the same home
Attend weekly Puppy Raiser meetings
Drop off for training in office in San Luis Obispo as needed
Participate in outings and training sessions with trainers (min. 2/month)
Complete weekly Puppy Raiser updates via our online portal
Follow the training curriculum and guidelines
Practice consistent training and socialization at home and in public
Ability to lift and carry 50lbs
*Optional: co-raise with another volunteer*
This volunteer position is crucial to our mission of providing service dogs to veterans and first responders with PTSD.
Time:
Full-Time with a dog from age 8 weeks to 12 months
Commitment:
Ongoing
Required Training:
Orientation and multiple training sessions with a service dog trainer
Group Project
Program:
Son Care Foundation / ALL
We love having groups come and help with projects! This type of volunteering is great for school groups, family and friend groups, and work groups.
Here are some projects that we need help with:
Paint dog houses
Clean dog play equipment
General landscaping & weed removal
Our current project is upcycle old tires to build play structures in the dog play yard to provide additional rest areas and stimulation. Because we do not use machinery or chemicals around our dogs for their health and to minimize stress, we always have a need for weeding by hand.
We welcome groups of 25 or fewer people. Volunteer groups generally come in on the weekend for the morning. If your group is available for other times, please let the Volunteer Coordinator know.
Time:
availabilities within business hours on the weekdays and weekends
Commitment:
All availabilities welcome
Required Training:
No Training Required
Maintenance Volunteer
Program:
Son Care Foundation / ALL
Volunteer at Son Care Foundation's 40-acre ranch, completing a wide variety of maintenance tasks. Help with minor construction, plumbing, landscaping, fabricating, painting, electrical, and many other projects. We welcome all skill levels and will let you choose from a variety of projects.
This is an excellent opportunity for an individual who is completing the required hours.
Time:
Flexible during business hours
Commitment:
This opportunity does not require a weekly commitment.
Required Training:
No Training Required
Cleaning Volunteer
Program:
Thousand Hills Pet Resort
Turnover and sanitization of boarding facilities and equipment including daily removal of animal waste and trash from facilities
Laundering of bedding and towels for both owners and THPR
Grounds maintenance to maintain resort appearance for customers
Time:
9am - 2pm (Flexible Schedule) Weekdays and Weekends
Commitment:
This opportunity requires a minimum commitment of 3 hours per week for a minimum of 4 months.
Required Training:
3 shifts of supervised training
Dog Play Yard Supervisor
Program:
Thousand Hills Pet Resort
The Dog Play Yard Supervisor Volunteer works directly with the dogs at Thousand Hills Pet Resort. The primary role is to interact with the dogs. The Dog Play Yard Supervisor Volunteer provides a positive experience for them and are trained to ensure safe play and behavior. Training begins with an Orientation and includes both online and in-person training.
Time:
Shift times can range between 8am and 4pm weekdays and weekends
Commitment:
This opportunity requires a minimum commitment of 3 hours per week for a minimum of 4 months.