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Join the Home Boarding Program.

Volunteer to care for a Guide Dog in Training!
A yellow labrador dog outside. The dog is in a profile view.

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About the program

Are you looking for a temporary housemate who’s committed, courteous, a positive influence in the community, and… very well toilet trained? You might be a perfect candidate for the Home Boarding Program!

The Home Boarding Program is an ideal way to enjoy the benefits of having a dog in your home, without the cost or commitment of a full-time pet. As a Boarder, you’ll give one of our Guide Dogs in Training a loving home for an 8-to-12-week period.

Guide Dogs in the Home Boarding Program are usually between 12 and 15 months of age—and just on the cusp of graduation—so they are already more than half trained.

A yellow labrador Guide Dog in harness outside on a footpath. The dog is looking at the camera.

Your responsibilities

If you’re lucky enough to join the program and partner up with a temporary Guide Dog housemate, you’ll be required to:

  • Provide a safe and loving environment for your boarding Guide Dog.
  • Care for your boarding Guide Dog for a period of 8-to-12 weeks when they are not participating in training: in the afternoons, over weekends, and on public holidays.
  • Feed and groom your Guide Dog (we provide all food and equipment at no cost to you), and occasionally take your Guide Dog to the vet.
  • Support your Guide Dog to maintain good manners in the home, and any other behaviours they are learning in training.
  • Enjoy your boarding Guide Dog’s company on days that they do not participate in training.
A sixteen week old yellow labrador puppy sitting outside on a footpath. The puppy is looking at the camera with its head tilted to the right.

Depending on where you live, you may also need to help your Guide Dog in getting to and from training. There are two potential scenarios:

  1. A trainer picks your boarding Guide Dog up from your home sometime between 7am and 9am—Monday to Friday—and drops your Guide Dog back home to you in the afternoon, sometime between 2pm and 4pm.
  2. You are required to drop off your boarding Guide Dog at training sometime between 7am and 9am—Monday to Friday—and pick up your Guide Dog to return home in the afternoon, sometime between 2pm and 4pm.

Please note that times may vary in summer and winter, and specific times will depend on your exact location.

We're here to help

Our world-class Guide Dog training program is renowned for its quality and we take each dog’s development very seriously. That means supporting you to provide the best environment possible, through:

  • A practical dog handling training session with one of our specialist handlers, prior to your boarding placement.
  • Provision of all food and equipment, at no cost to you.
  • One on one support and guidance from a qualified Guide Dog trainer.

“Our beautiful German Shepherd had passed away in May of 2017 so we joined the program to ease our pain. We love helping the centre and we love the thought that we are helping someone in more need than us.”

A person kneeling outside next to a yellow labrador dog. The person is looking at the camera smiling and the dog is looking at the person.

“I had a limited insight into the work done by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT but now, two years and 15 dogs later, I am privileged to be a part of such an amazing team/organisation.”

A person kneeling outside next to a yellow labrador Guide Dog in harness. The person is looking at the camera smiling. The dog is also looking at the camera.

“The program allows us the benefits of having a wonderful companion. Having Captain has improved the emotional health of the house. If you are upset you can always get a cuddle from your dog.”

Three people kneeling outside on some grass next to a black labrador dog. The people are all looking at the camera smiling.

Eligibility requirements

Due to the frequent trips associated with on-site training sessions for the Guide Dogs, we only search for applicants in the suburbs local to our needs. We are currently looking for Home Boarders in the Hawkesbury, Norwest, Inner West, South West Sydney (Liverpool LGA) areas and the South side of the Australian Capital Territory.

Please fill out our application form below to find out if you are eligible at this time.

A yellow labrador dog sitting on its back legs outside with a person in front of the dog. The dog has one of its front paws lifted into the hand of the person and the person is holding a piece of dog food in their hand.

How do I apply?

We are currently looking for Temporary Carers in the Inner West, Norwest, South West Sydney (Liverpool LGA) and Hawkesbury areas and the South side of the Australian Capital Territory to join our Home Boarding program. Please complete our application form and we will be in contact if your application is successful.

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    Training dogs home boarding program application form

    Fields marked with * are required.

    General Information

    Street Address

    Not eligible at this time

    Sorry, you must be over the age of 18 to apply.

    Home Information

    Not eligible at this time

    Thank you for taking the time to apply, at this time you do not meet the criteria to proceed with this application.

    As our dogs in training are considered “pet dogs” in your home, you must have permission to have a dog before applying.

    There are many ways you can help Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, such as:

    Not eligible at this time

    Thank you for taking the time to apply, at this time you do not meet the criteria to proceed with this application.

    As our Guide Dogs and Therapy Dogs live indoors with their handlers it is a requirement that all our dogs are raised to be a part of the family. This includes being able to access the house and sleep indoors.

    There are many ways you can help Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, such as:

    Pets Information

    Not eligible at this time

    Thank you for taking the time to apply, at this time you do not meet the criteria to proceed with this application.

    As we can only place same sex dogs with families who have entire pet dogs, we are unable to progress your application. Please reapply if your circumstances change.

    There are many ways you can help Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, such as:

    Not eligible at this time

    Thank you for taking the time to apply, at this time you do not meet the criteria to proceed with this application.

    It is a requirement that all dogs in contact with Guide Dogs in Training are vaccinated to a minimum standard of a C5. Please reapply should this circumstance change.

    There are many ways you can help Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, such as:

    Work Information

    Policies, drop off and pick up

    In order to gain access to the dog for training, we need you to pick up/drop off the dog from a pre-determined location and/or allow a Trainer to pick up/drop off the dog from your home. Times may vary in summer and winter. Pick up and drop off times will also be discussed with each boarder depending on their location.

    Not eligible at this time

    Thank you for taking the time to apply, at this time you do not meet the criteria to proceed with this application.

    In order for us to be able to train our Guide Dogs we need to be able to access them when needed on training days.

    There are many ways you can help Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, such as:

    Not eligible at this time

    Thank you for taking the time to apply, at this time you do not meet the criteria to proceed with this application.

    For the safety and welfare of our Guide Dogs in Training it is a requirement that applicants adhere to Guide Dogs policies at all times.

    There are many ways you can help Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, such as:

    Not eligible at this time

    Thank you for taking the time to apply, at this time you do not meet the criteria to proceed with this application.

    For the safety and welfare of our Guide Dogs in Training it is a requirement that applicants can transport the dog to the vet in an emergency.

    There are many ways you can help Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, such as:

    Guide Dogs NSW/ACT respects your privacy. Your details are protected by us under the Privacy Act. Our privacy policy is online.