Our Weekend Volunteers play an important role in giving our dogs a break from the training environment and a taste of home life. These volunteers welcome a dog into their home from Friday Pm to Monday Am, helping the dog relax, reset, and continue practising their calm house manners in a supportive environment. 

We have two types of weekend opportunities: 

• Kindergarten Puppies (14–18 weeks old) – based at our NSW Waterfall facility, these young pups are developing early socialisation and confidence skills. Weekend volunteers help them experience gentle home routines, rest, and short, positive exposures as they grow and learn. 
• Advanced Training Dogs – based at our National Training Centre (NTC) at Orchard Hills, these dogs are refining their obedience, manners, and readiness for placement. Weekend stays allow them to enjoy downtime while continuing to practise settled behaviour in a home environment. 

What we’re looking for: 

• Families or individuals who generally spend weekends at home and can provide quiet time, care, and companionship. 
• A safe, enclosed yard or toileting area. 
• Ability to collect and return the dog to the relevant training centre. 
• A calm household environment where the dog can rest, receive gentle enrichment, and continue good home habits (no furniture, no human food, etc.). 
• Are prepared to undertake education and guidance in line with the dog’s needs.

Our Weekend Volunteers enjoy the joy of canine company while making a meaningful contribution to a dog’s journey toward becoming an Assistance Dog. 

Please note: Each household’s suitability is considered carefully to ensure the best match for the dog’s welfare and training needs.

In most cases, walks aren’t necessary. The focus is on giving the dog downtime in a home environment, with playtime and house manners practice. If you need to go out, the dog can be safely left in their crate for up to 4 hours.

During a weekend break, our dogs are not provided with identification as an Assistance Dog in training and therefore do not have public access rights.

Advanced Training Dogs may visit local, dog-friendly cafés if it aligns with their current stage of education and confidence, but this should always be discussed and approved with the training team beforehand. 

Kindergarten Puppies (14–18 weeks) should remain at home only, enjoying rest and gentle play in their enclosed garden with no public outings at this stage. 

These weekends are all about rest, positive home experiences, and helping the dogs settle into real-life environments without added distractions. By keeping their time calm and consistent, you’re giving them exactly what they need to return to training refreshed and ready to learn.