How to Volunteer

The best way to join is to start by getting on our wait list. We review the list on an ongoing basis, as needed.  We will contact you to gauge your interest at the time we are  ready to schedule an orientation meeting. Currently this is happening on a quarterly basis. 

Please understand that you will need to meet the minimum requirements for you and your dog, and you will need to attend a minimum of 3 workouts without dog before beginning training in earnest. - you will receive notice indicating when you can bring your dog to be assessed.*  

The process for training to become a Ready Searcher can take 2 - 4 years to complete.  Once you meet operational requirements you may be selected to go on missions as support (no dog) prior to becoming a fully deployable Ready Searcher with K9. 

* Depending on the situation and our assessment of you and your dog, your evaluation period may be extended, or terminated at the discretion of the Onboarding or Training Committees, or the Board.

Are you interested in helping with Search & Rescue efforts but you can’t meet the time and training commitment?  Why not consider volunteering* a portion of your time to help train our search dogs?  

GSSD is always looking for people to serve as hidden subjects for our dogs!  You can sign up for our Guest Hider list and come to our workouts to hide for our dog teams.  Who doesn't like playing with dogs?! 

We’ll contact you before upcoming workouts where hiders are needed to see if you’re available. 

It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors in a non-traditional way, and you’ll be helping our teams improve performance in finding the missing.  Your donated time may also count toward volunteer hours with your school or job.

*Must be 16 years of age or older with parent or guardian permission.