Volunteer with RI

Consider your time, experience, and interests. Starters are ideal for short-term commitments and those new to volunteering. Raisers require longer commitments and are suited for volunteers with more time to dedicate. Sitters are great for those who want to work with dogs but need high flexibility. Flex Volunteers are perfect for those seeking variety and the ability to help across different areas. If you are still unsure, feel free to start your journey with us and attend a training session to see which role fits perfectly for you!

No prior experience is needed for any of our volunteer roles! We provide all the necessary training and resources, and you’ll have access to support from training staff, coaches and other experienced volunteers to guide you.

All volunteers undergo an orientation and role-specific training to prepare you for your duties. Additionally, ongoing support is always available from our trainers, staff, and other experienced volunteers. Retrieving Independence also provides crates, food, vet visits, and other supplies when needed. We provide all training resources and are available to answer all questions and troubleshooting needs.

When our puppies are 6-8 months old, they join our prison partnership program with the Tennessee Department of Correction. In this program, inmate trainers provide advanced training for the majority of the puppies’ days. Once a month, the puppies return to their Raisers for a week-long furlough to reinforce their skills. This prison partnership not only delivers valuable, complex training for our dogs but also offers counseling and rehabilitation for the trainers involved. We currently collaborate with programs at the Turney Industrial Complex and Debra Johnson Rehabilitation Center, with plans to expand to the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution by the end of 2024. While our volunteers do not have direct interaction with the trainers, their invisible collaboration is vital to the success of our dogs, and we are immensely proud of the positive impact this program has on the dogs, trainers, staff, and volunteers.

A furlough is a period of time in which the dog comes out of the prison for a week-long training opportunity with their Puppy Raiser. During this time Puppy Raisers focus on maintaining the dogs’ skills in a variety of environments, focusing on public outings and household manners, with occasional vet visits. The Puppy Raiser picks up and drops off their dogs at their pickup/dropoff point at their scheduled time on Fridays. Due to the size of our program, we have different groups of dogs during that go out on furlough during different weeks, but each dog only goes on furlough 1 time a month.

Yes, having other pets like cats or dogs is usually fine. We evaluate each situation individually to ensure compatibility and provide guidance on introducing our service dogs to your home environment.

Yes, you can! In Tennessee, service dogs in training have the same legal rights as fully trained service dogs, meaning they are protected under the federal Fair Housing Act. This means you have the legal right to have a service dog in training in your home, even if your landlord typically doesn’t allow pets. If needed, Retrieving Independence can help liaise conversations with your landlord or housing authority to ensure everything is in order, allowing you to participate fully in our program.

Just inform us ahead of time, and arrange for another volunteer (or ask us to), like a Sitter, to care for the dog during your absence! We’re flexible and understand that life events happen.

In case of a family emergency, let us know as soon as possible. We’ll make arrangements to ensure the dog is cared for, so you can focus on your family.

The time commitment varies depending on the role you choose. Starters may commit for as little as 1 week or up to 1 month, making it a flexible option for those new to volunteering. Raisers typically involve a longer commitment, ranging from a few months to 2 years, depending on whether you’re raising a puppy full-time or participating during furloughs. We also offer a flexible 1-week, 1-month, and 1-year commitment model, allowing you to test different levels of involvement and see what works best for your lifestyle. Flex Volunteers and Sitters offer more as-needed involvement, perfect for those with varying schedules.

Yes! We encourage co-raising, where you can share responsibilities with a friend or family member, making the experience more enjoyable and manageable. We are also available to match you with another volunteer if you need help finding a co-raiser.

Absolutely. Many of our volunteer roles offer flexible schedules, allowing you to participate during weekends or evenings, depending on your availability. You can also work with a co-raiser to help split the responsibilities.

Applying is easy! Simply scroll up to the role you want to apply for, fill out the volunteer application form, and select the roles you’re interested in. We’ll follow up with you to get started on your volunteer journey.

Timelines vary based on the role. Starters typically engage for 1 week to 1 month, while Raisers commit to periods up to 2 years, including full-time and furlough care. Flex Volunteers and Sitters have more flexible timelines, depending on when help is needed. We’ll work with you to find a schedule that fits your availability.

Starters can begin as soon as two weeks, while Raisers & Sitters typically start within a month, and Flex Volunteers can get started right away. We work with a variety of volunteers, including college students, families, singles, etc. and aim to be flexible based on your schedule and our needs and can work with you on getting you set up in a role that works for all involved!

Reach out to us at info@retrievingindependence.org. We’re here to help and would love to hear from you!

1. How long are you able to commit to caring for a dog?

• A. I can commit to a short period, like 1 week to 1 month.
• B. I’m ready to commit to a longer period, like several months to 2 years.
• C. I prefer to offer care on an as-needed, temporary basis.
• D. I’m interested in helping out with various tasks and can offer flexible, on-call support.

2. What level of responsibility are you comfortable taking on with a dog’s training?

• A. I’m comfortable providing basic care and socialization but prefer not to handle formal training.
• B. I’m ready to help maintain and reinforce training skills over a longer period.
• C. I can help maintain training temporarily but prefer not to take on long-term responsibilities.
• D. I’m interested in supporting with tasks other than direct dog care, like event support or transport.

3. How flexible is your schedule?

• A. I have a specific, short window of availability.
• B. I can commit to a regular schedule over several months.
• C. My schedule varies, so I prefer to help when I’m available.
• D. I have a flexible schedule and can step in for different tasks as needed.

4. Are you comfortable with the idea of having a dog in your home?

• A. Yes, but only for a short period.
• B. Yes, I’m prepared to have a dog in my home for an extended time.
• C. Yes, but only temporarily or on an emergency basis.
• D. Not necessarily; I’m more interested in helping in other ways.

5. Do you prefer working directly with puppies or helping with broader tasks?

• A. I want to work directly with young puppies for a brief period.
• B. I’m interested in working with dogs over a longer period, including puppies and older dogs.
• C. I prefer short-term, direct involvement with dogs when needed.
• D. I’m more interested in supporting with broader, flexible tasks across the organization.

Mostly A’s: Starters

• You’re best suited for the Starter role, where you can work with young puppies for a short period (1 week to 1 month) without taking on long-term training responsibilities.

Mostly B’s: Raisers

• You’re a great fit for the Raiser role, where you can commit to a long-term relationship with a dog, helping to maintain and reinforce their training over several months to 2 years.

Mostly C’s: Sitters

• The Sitter role is ideal for you, providing temporary care and support when needed, without the long-term commitment. You’ll step in to maintain routines and provide care on an as-needed basis.

Mostly D’s: Flex Volunteers

• You’re best suited for the Flex Volunteer role, offering versatile support for various tasks like event assistance, transport, and other organizational needs, with a flexible schedule.