Puppy Parents
Have you got what it takes to be a puppy parent?
At Helpful Hounds, we believe that life-changing partnerships begin with strong foundations. Our puppies grow into highly trained assistance dogs who support individuals with a wide range of disabilities, providing greater independence, confidence, and companionship. As a Volunteer Puppy Parent, you could play a critical role in that journey.
By opening your home and heart, you could help shape a young puppy during their most important developmental months. You’ll provide daily care, socialisation, basic training, and plenty of love — all while being supported by our professional training team every step of the way. The dedication of our puppy parents helps ensure each puppy develops the skills, manners, and resilience needed to succeed as a future assistance dog.
Your commitment to us
- Fully Enclosed Garden with minimum 5ft fence (6ft preferable)
- Work no more than 16 hours per week or will leave puppy for no more than 4 hours
- Children in the home to be 8 years and over
- Maximum of 1 pet dog in the home (and this should have a calm temperament)
- Able to commit for approximately 18 months care of the puppy
- Able to attend puppy class once a week as well as one 1-2-1 session with trainer a week
- Own transport (not relying on public transport)
- Maximum of 4 trips away per year (due to needing to find holiday cover)
Our commitment to you
- Covers all veterinary costs and insurance (either via pre-arranged relationships with local veterinary practices or via reimbursement of volunteer expenses.
- All puppy care items and uniform; beds, bowls, starter toys (lickimats, snuffle mats, rope toys etc), leads, harnesses.
- Food to be purchased via Helpful Hounds account/discount code and then reimbursed by the charity. This includes both meals and training treats.
- Mileage reimbursement for driving to puppy class and 1-2-1 sessions in excess of 10 miles round trip. Helpful Hounds will also reimburse reasonable parking fees incurred as a result your role as a Puppy Parent. Such expenses will be reimbursed monthly.
