Join our volunteer community

Our Snuggle Experts

Whelper Helpers give our puppies the best start in life. They provide 24/7 care to future Assistance Dogs from birth to 8 weeks old. This care may include bottle feeding, cleaning the whelping and potty box, doing laundry, feeding, playtime and documentation. Volunteers also provide care for the mama dog by taking her outside for potty breaks and play time, providing indoor enrichment and ensuring her dietary needs are met.

Our Pipeline to Success

Volunteer Puppy Raisers care for a future Assistance Dog in their home for approximately 16 months starting when the puppy is 8 weeks old. During this time, Puppy Raisers provide basic obedience training, socialization and plenty of exposure to the world beyond their home. All of this helps the puppy gain the confidence and manners needed for success in advanced training at the Duo Dogs facility. Puppy Raisers attend weekly assistance dog training classes and document their puppy’s progress along the way. Duo Dogs provides veterinary care, food and most necessary equipment, ensuring that volunteers can focus on giving their puppy the best start possible.

Our Puppy Raiser Support Team may care for an Assistance Dog in training in their home for a few days to a few weeks, offering consistency and continuity when the Puppy Raiser is unavailable. During that time, Puppy Sitters are expected to provide the same level of care, structure, and basic training that the puppy receives from their Volunteer Puppy Raiser. Puppy Sitters also document the puppy’s progress and attend Duo Dogs training classes to stay aligned with Duo’s training methods and expectations.

Our Joy Bringers

The Duo Touch Therapy™ program trains and certifies volunteers and their personal dogs to visit hospitals, treatment centers and assisted living facilities throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. Teams also support local schools and libraries through our Paws for Reading program, which helps students build confidence and excitement for reading by sharing stories with a friendly, attentive dog.

To qualify for the Duo Touch Therapy™ program, applicants must provide proof of completing an adult group obedience class with their dog. This class may be taken at Duo Dogs or another group training facility. Please note that puppy class, board & train programs and one-on-one instruction do not meet this requirement.

Once obedience class documentation is received, Duo will send a registration link for the ‘Touch Prep‘ class–a 6-week course that prepares handler/dog teams for the temperament evaluation and entry into the 12-week Duo Touch Therapy™ training semester.

Program Requirements:

• Handler(s) must have completed an adult group obedience course with their dog. (Puppy classes, board & train, and one-on-one instruction do not meet this requirement)
• Handler(s) must pass a criminal background check.
• Handler(s) must be 18 years or older.
• Dogs must be between 2 and 10 years old.
• Dogs must not have received any aggression or protection training.
• Dogs must be up to date on vaccinations, including rabies, distemper/parvo and bordetella.
• Dogs must pass a temperament evaluation before enrolling in Duo Touch Therapy training.
• Handler(s) must have had the dog in their possession for at least one year.

Ideal traits for Duo Touch Therapy dogs: obedient, confident, calm and friendly temperament, comfortable in new environments. Ideal traits for Duo Touch Therapy handlers include: strong communication skills, ability to maintain control of their dog, attentive to their dog’s behavior, ability to recognize stress signals in their dog.

Duo offers three training sessions per year:

• Spring 2026: January 6 – March 28
• Summer 2026: April 21 – July 11
• Fall 2026: August 4 – October 24

Important Notes:

• Duo Touch Therapy is a volunteer-based program.
• For the safety of our dogs, team members, and volunteers, Duo Touch Therapy teams are limited to working up to two hours at a time.
• Teams may only visit Duo-approved and contracted sites.
• Duo Touch Therapy volunteers may not use their therapy dogs at their place of employment (e.g., teachers, therapists, doctors, psychologists).

To learn more about how to apply, complete the request form below.

Our Playground Monitors

Kennel Enrichment volunteers provide playtime and exercise for our future Duo Assistance Dogs. These dogs, housed in our on-site kennel during advanced training, benefit from this enrichment through improved mental stimulation, physical activity and socialization. When the weather is nice, volunteers can enjoy outdoor playtime with the dogs in our grassy yard. On rainy or cold days, we have a fully equipped indoor playroom. Get ready for some high-energy, fun-loving dogs, ages 18 months to 2 years, who can’t wait to play with you!

Our Face at the Door

Duo’s office volunteers fill a variety of important roles. Tasks may include clerical work, such as answering phones at the front desk, data entry, filing, assembling packets and assisting with mailing or marketing projects. Volunteers may also help greet guests or support events by setting up or providing hospitality at Graduation Ceremonies or Duo Socials. Our building maintenance volunteers help keep our facility in shape by assisting with outdoor beautification, spring cleaning, inventory control and more.

Our Party Animals

Duo hosts multiple events throughout the year, and volunteers are key to making them a success! Opportunities may include event preparation and set-up, assisting with day-of sales, and helping with clean-up. Every role makes a difference and helps ensure a fun, smooth experience for all.

The Young Friends of Duo Dogs is a vibrant group of young professionals aged 21 to 40 dedicated to making a difference by fostering extraordinary bonds between people and dogs. Our members are diverse leaders from various fields who unite to support Duo’s mission, volunteer their time and skills, and create meaningful connections through networking. By joining Young Friends, you will have the opportunity to develop professionally, expand your network, and contribute to life-changing partnerships between people and dogs, while also helping Duo Dogs increase their impact in the community.