From providing kennel assistance, to working in our offices, many dedicated volunteers support the Guiding Eyes mission by working on our Yorktown Heights and Patterson, NY campuses. All potential volunteers will undergo a screening, training and evaluation process prior to placement. As our needs change, so does the availability of specific volunteer opportunities at our two campus locations. Not all positions are open at all times.
To be considered for a position as a Campus Volunteer, applicants 16 years or older must live locally and meet the minimum requirements listed for the position. We ask that campus volunteers commit to volunteering consistently for a period of at least one year and have reliable transportation.
All volunteers must adhere to our Code of Conduct.
Kennel Volunteers do hands-on work with puppies and adult dogs that are temporarily housed in our kennels. These positions are perfect for dog lovers in good physical shape, who don’t mind getting their hands dirty and can commit to a long-term schedule. Volunteers work alongside Guiding Eyes staff to ensure that our puppies and dogs live in a happy, healthy and stimulating environment.
With over 200 dogs housed temporarily in our kennels, it is of the utmost importance that our facilities are hygienic and sanitary, and so cleaning is a critical aspect of every Kennel Volunteer position.
Kennel Volunteer shifts in Patterson, NY:
Breeding Kennel, 7:00–11:00 a.m. or 3:00–6:00 p.m.; Puppy Kennel, 7:30–11:00 a.m. or 1:30–4:30 p.m.
Kennel Volunteer shifts in Yorktown Heights, NY: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. or 12:00–4:00 p.m. (We are grateful for your interest, but we are not accepting applications for Running Guide Volunteer at this time.)
To be considered for a position as a Kennel Volunteer, applicants must:
The Running Guides program is the first of its kind and unique to any other guide dog school in the world. In addition to being trained as a guide dog, running guides are trained to guide blind athletes on exercise runs. With the mission of creating greater independence for blind and visually impaired athletes, graduates of the Running Guides program will receive a dog specifically selected, trained and evaluated to safely run while guiding. Running Guide volunteers will work closely with a Running Guide Specialist and guide dogs that have been accepted into the Running Guides program. Running Guide volunteers will run with guide dogs in training, introducing them to new running routes and building their endurance, speed and training.
Running Guide Volunteers must:
Our Volunteer Drivers assist the staff of both our Training School in Yorktown Heights, NY and our Canine Development Center in Patterson, NY by transporting our puppies and dogs between facilities and the regions we serve, using vehicles provided by Guiding Eyes. Trips are usually two to eight hours in duration (although some may be longer), and include destinations such as regional airports, veterinary specialists, and designated pick-up or drop-off locations.
This volunteer opportunity is perfect for someone who enjoys driving and is comfortable in a van-sized vehicle, can comfortably lift up to 75 pounds, and enjoys meeting new people. Guiding Eyes provides a vehicle outfitted for the safe transportation of animals, directions to and from your destination, and a cell phone, gas card, and E-ZPass for use during trips.
To be considered for a position as a Volunteer Driver, applicants must:
Our Administrative Volunteers assist the staff of Guiding Eyes with tasks including database entry, preparation and collation of informational kits and bulk mailings, and special projects. This volunteer opportunity is ideal for individuals with computer skills and an interest in learning new things. Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Office and Salesforce is a plus. Guiding Eyes staff provides all necessary training.
To be considered for a position as an Administrative Volunteer, applicants must:
Student Service Volunteers assist our blind and visually impaired students while they train with their new guide dog in Yorktown Heights, NY. Local residents are needed to support the students in a number of ways, including escorting students to local malls and/or events; shopping for personal items with, or for, the students; driving students to medical appointments, church services, etc.; and assisting with lunchtime meal service. We do not have a need for volunteers to read to the blind, thanks to the wide variety of audiobooks and adaptive technologies available.
These volunteer opportunities are a perfect fit for someone with a warm and outgoing personality and a genuine interest in meeting new people from varied backgrounds. Student Service Volunteers receive Blindness Awareness training so they can interact confidently and comfortably with our students, and ongoing staff support is always available.
To be considered for a position as a Student Service Volunteer, applicants must:
Our Volunteer Videographers assist staff in creating a visual record of our puppy testing, dog evaluations, and other training sessions. Videographers capture key developmental moments in the lives of our puppies and dogs, and may also be asked to tape staff training sessions and special events. This volunteer opportunity is perfect for someone who wants to get an insider’s look at how we raise our puppies to become successful guide dogs. Guiding Eyes provides all the required equipment − camera, tripod, copying supplies − as well as simple instructions on how to use the camera.
To be considered for a position as a Volunteer Videographer, applicants must:
* Persons under 16 years of age may consider participating (with their family) as a:
Guiding Eyes for the Blind is approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (C) (3) tax-exempt organization, and all donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind Federal Identification Number (EIN) is 13-1854606.
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