Puppy Sitter Volunteer Forms

We're excited to welcome you to Susquehanna Service Dogs' volunteer community!

Puppy Sitters play a vital role in our program - caring for our dogs-in-training and offering them new home environments that will prepare them for their future work as assistance and facility dogs. Please carefully review and sign the forms on the following pages to complete your onboarding process. Any questions regarding the forms can be emailed to rleckrone@khs.org.

At Home Puppy Sitter Agreement

I have applied to become a volunteer for Susquehanna Service Dogs (SSD). I have met with a representative of the organization and fully understand what is expected of me in whichever capacity I am to assist SSD. If I have questions or concerns I am informed of the contact information to use to address these issues. 

As an AT HOME Puppy Sitter, I realize that I am bringing this dog into my home for a limited time previously determined per each sitting request. SSD dogs are actively trained as a potential service dog. I realize this is not my dog and is not a pet. The dog will be cared for by my family while in my care. I understand as an At Home Puppy Sitter, I do not have public access allowed under the Pennsylvania law and will not take a dog I am sitting to public locations.

I understand that SSD Puppy Raisers will provide me with the dog, a collar with SSD tags, leash, crate, safe toys and food at my request while the dog is in my care.
 
SSD covers all veterinary expenses and arranges all appointments. I realize that if an emergency should arise (an ill, injured, or lost dog), my first call is to the SSD emergency puppy cell. Do not take an SSD dog to the vet without talking with SSD Staff UNLESS it appears to be a life and death emergency in which case go to the nearest vet and contact the emergency puppy cell upon arrival. SSD will cover all approved vet expenses provided this protocol is adhered to. 

I will contact SSD if any behavior challenges arise and will return the complete sitter report at the end of the sitter request. 

SSD is permitted to make inspection visits to my home at an agreed upon time if the need should arise. If for any reason SSD wishes to remove the dog from my home, I will surrender the dog immediately and with all equipment provided by SSD. 

I will not bring any action against SSD, its agents, representatives, volunteers or anyone otherwise connected with SSD if the dog, while under my care, causes injury or damage to persons, including myself, my family and others in my household, or property and I will pay for damages or injuries caused by the dog while in my care. 

In the event that any person or other entity brings any action, lawsuit or claim against SSD, its agents, representatives, volunteers or anyone otherwise connected to SSD for injuries or damages to person or property caused by The SSD dog that is in my care, I shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless SSD, its agents, representatives, volunteers or anyone otherwise connected with SSD. 

With my signature [typed full name], I attest to my understanding of and agree to abide by the parameters outlined in this agreement.


At Home Puppy Sitter Volunteer Role Description

Role and Purpose 
At Home Puppy Sitters care for an assistance dog in training in their home during times that a Puppy Raiser is unable to provide care. At Home Puppy Sitters assist in proofing the dog’s house manners as well as offering a safe home environment and family composition which differs from the home in which the dog is being raised in order to prepare the dog for potential placement as an assistance dog for a person with a disability. At Home Puppy Sitters do not have the training required to take a dog they are sitting into public locations and will not be provided with public access for training purposes or provided with the dog’s vest.

At Home Puppy Sitters are needed in the Harrisburg, State College, and Philadelphia areas.

Time Required
At Home Puppy Sitters volunteer based on their availability. Sitters receive an emailed list of dogs in need of sitting and respond by choosing the dogs and timeframes that fit into their schedule. Sitter requests may be for overnight, a few days, a week, or more.

Responsibilities
  • Work with the Puppy Raiser to let them know the supplies you will need and to coordinate drop off and pick up of the dog. If sitting a dog in Advanced Training, follow directions provided regarding pick up and drop off times and procedures, and contact SSD staff in regard to supplies needed.
  • Care for the dog in your care by providing meals, exercise, and enrichment.
  • Ensure the safety of the dog, always having them on a leash outdoors unless they are in a secured, fenced area.
  • Contact SSD as needed for any medical concerns. The SSD emergency cell phone can be called to contact staff 24/7.
  • Use only SSD-approved training techniques and methods learned in At Home Sitter Class and not train a dog or use cues that haven’t been learned through class attendance. (At Home Sitters are not permitted to take a dog in their care into public settings.)
  • Complete the Puppy Sitting Form and return it to the Puppy Raiser when they pick up the dog.
  • Refer to the SSD Volunteer Manual as needed.
  • Reach out to SSD staff at any time with questions or for support in terms of dog behavior or sitting challenges.

Qualifications
At Home Puppy Sitters must:
  • Complete an online application, attend orientation and clicker class, attend At Home Sitter Class, have a home visit by a volunteer, and complete all necessary paperwork
  • Have access to reliable transportation
  • Have reliable access to email
At Home Puppy Sitter homes must:
  • Be safe for a puppy (meaning clean and organized in a manner that will not give the puppy access to anything potentially dangerous)
  • Have a safe area for puppies to go to the bathroom, exercise, and play (either on leash or within a fenced area, SSD dogs are not permitted to use electric or underground fencing systems)
  • Ensure any pets in the home are at least 1 year old, neutered/spayed, and very comfortable with having other dogs in the home

Resources Available
SSD maintains a library of books and DVDs at the kennel related to various topics including operant conditioning, assistance dogs, canine health, behavior and more. Additionally, the staff is available to make recommendations to resources available for free or purchase online. Please see our Resources section within this manual for more information.

Continuing Education and Support
SSD will also provide occasional education about disabilities, assistance dogs, appropriate public behavior, applicable laws and regulations, general canine behavior, and canine body language during regularly scheduled classes and at additional times. Some of these continuing education opportunities will are required and others are optional. SSD recognizes that individuals learn in different ways and at different paces, therefore, SSD staff do their best to tailor the instruction to the individual’s learning style as much as possible, as well as providing support via email, phone, or a private in-person lessons as needed.

SSD staff may provide further opportunities if they feel an individual or group of volunteers may benefit from additional instruction. Volunteers are encouraged to seek assistance with specific issues as they arise or make suggestions for continuing education opportunities. Occasionally, SSD may bring in consultants to work with the staff or to give public seminars. Volunteers are sometimes invited to attend these events free of charge.

With my signature [typed full name], I attest to my understanding of and will abide by the parameters outlined in this description.


Puppy Sitter Emergency and Evacuation Form











In case of emergency, please list an emergency contact we can reach out to if we're unable to reach you.






In case of an emergency or evacuation situation, where would you and a dog you are sitting go?
First Choice:






Second Choice:






Volunteer Waiver

In volunteering with Susquehanna Service Dogs, I hereby agree that this activity shall be at my own risk against casualties to myself or my properties. I take all risk of any kind, no matter how caused and I hereby release and discharge Keystone Service Systems and any associated sponsors, and indemnify them of and from all actions, claims, and demands of every nature and kind whatsoever which I, or my heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, may now or can at any time hereafter have against the said sponsors of this event whether such loss, damage or injuries which may be caused by negligence, default or misconduct of the sponsor of this event, themselves, servants, agents or members or otherwise  whatsoever. I authorize SSD to call 911 if I am unconscious for medical assistance.


With my signature [typed full name], I attest to my understanding of and agree to abide by the parameters outlined in this waiver.





Confidentiality Agreement

As a volunteer of Susquehanna Service Dogs/Keystone Human Services (KHS) or one of its’ subsidiary organizations, in undertaking or participating in professional development, research, review or investigation under management direction, I may develop, use or be involved with personal or confidential information concerning employees or people receiving service(s). I will maintain the confidentiality of information, documentation and results derived from or obtained through any such professional development, research, review or investigation and will not discuss the information with or furnish it to anyone other than the appropriate SSD/KHS staff unless I receive written permission.

With my signature [typed full name], I attest to my understanding of and agree to abide by the parameters outlined in this agreement.


Consent for Use and Disclosure of Information, Photographs, and Images

I, the undersigned, hereby consent and authorize Keystone Human Services and designees, licensees and assignees (collectively “KHS”), to take, use, and disseminate personal information, photographs, videotapes and other images of me, as well as testimonials, interview content, and similar written or verbal statements made by me (collectively “Materials”), and to release appropriate identifying information related to such information, images or statements.

I understand that such Materials will be used for media, marketing, promotional or other public relation purposes. I further understand that such Materials will become the property of KHS, and I waive the right to any royalties, proceeds or other benefits or compensation arising from, or related to, the use of such images or statements.

I authorize KHS to use or disclose my Materials in any and all mediums or formats, including but not limited to KHS publications (e.g. newsletters, brochures etc.), KHS website, KHS social media accounts, KHS communication with, or advertising in, a media outlet (newspaper, television, radio etc.), displays and bulletin boards in public areas.

I understand that I have the right to revoke this Consent at any time, except that such revocation shall have no effect on any action that has been taken in reliance on the Consent. Unless revoked, this Consent will expire five (5) years from the date of signature.

I agree that I shall at no time make any claims, or authorize the making of any claims, related to KHS's use of my Materials.






Contact Information