Volunteer

See what our Volunteers Say

Ready to make a difference - Help a child learn to read for LIFE!

Care and compassion come in many forms. The calming and non-judgemental qualities of a Dog Team pawsitively shape the experience of learning to read. The Story Dogs program takes away the confrontation of learning how to do a task that feels impossible. Offering the child the benefit of a one-on-one environment, using engaging, vibrant, and level-appropriate books, and having a dog as a reading buddy replaces fear with courage. When dogs are reading companions, the child is relaxed, and able to focus on the book in an empowered way. 


Have a special dog? Become a Story Dog volunteer.
Your help makes a difference for young-Australians learning to read.


A Story Dogs’ volunteer is a dog lover who is kind and understanding. They make the welfare of the dog a priority, knowing that a happy dog is a safe dog. Our Volunteer Dog Teams are reliable, and enthusiastic about supporting children’s progress with literacy development.


With paws and patience, anything is possible. Woof! 

Volunteer Eligibility Check

To become a volunteer, ensure:

  • Your dog is at least 12 months old.
  • If you have rescued or adopted your dog, you must have lived with it for a minimum of 6 months.
  • If you don’t have your own dog you may apply with another person’s dog. However, you must know this dog very well, the dog responds to you and the owner will need to give consent.
  • Your dog is registered with your local council.
  • Your dog is vaccinated OR you have proof of a positive

       Titre Test


If your dog is also your assistance/ support dog or works as a therapy/ visiting dog, please consider the impact the Story Dogs role will have on your dog and you.


Points to consider are:

a) If your dog is distracted for long periods of time from its primary task, to keep you safe, this could pose a risk to you.


b) If your dog is undertaking multiple visits and roles during the week, then this can place them under a lot of pressure/ stress, which is not healthy for your dog.


c) You have a current Working With Children/ Vulnerable People Check, applicable to your State, or have applied and are waiting for it to be completed.


What Next?

After we have received your completed application form here are the next steps:


  1. Your local Coordinator will be in touch to organise to meet you and your dog. 
  2. You will be assessed with your dog by an independent expert dog trainer/behaviourist. To get ready for this, watch the Dog Team Assessment video (see video on this page) and practice the Dog Team Assessment (summary in the Volunteer Information Pack) with your dog.
  3. If successful your dog will need a vet health check, OR proof of your dog’s recent vet health check (within the last 3 months).
  4. All our amazing handlers and their dogs complete a Story Dogs training course. This course is designed to show you how to run a successful literacy session and what you and your dog can expect with your new role in helping children learn to read.
  5. Attend an In School Observation session with an experienced Dog Team near you. You get to see the program in action, first hand.
  6. Your Coordinator will organise a School Orientation Meeting so you and your dog know your way around the school and are comfortable visiting.
  7. With our help; find a sponsor for you and your dog.


Make an

informed decision

Check out the Volunteer Information Pack, Dog Team Assessment video and the FAQ’s below.

Dog Team Assessment Video (8.07mins)

After you have had a good read of all our information and feel this program is a good fit for you and our dog, please complete the Volunteer Application form below. Once we have this we will be in touch to let you know the next steps. Generally, if you are in an existing Story Dogs area, where we have a Coordinator, then we will pass your application on to that Coordinator who will contact you to organise to meet you and your wonderful dog.

Thank you for your interest in joining Story Dogs!

Woof Woof!

FAQ's

  • I don’t have a dog, can I still volunteer?

    No. However if you have a close association with someone else’s dog such as a family member or neighbour then you may be able to use that dog.

  • I am under 18yrs old, can I volunteer?

    No. We only accept volunteers who are over 18yrs old

  • What type of dog leads are best for the Story Dogs program?

    Dogs can only wear either a flat collar with a 1-2m webbing lead, a Martingale collar, or a well-fitting harness. No training collars, halties, muzzles, aversive collars or retractable leads are permitted.

  • I go away for weeks at a time, can I still volunteer?

    Yes as long as the time away is not greater than 10 weeks and you can let us and the school know well in advance. It is best if you have a trip coming up to delay your application until you get back so when you start, you are with the students for many uninterrupted weeks.

  • I have two dogs, can I volunteer with both?

    Yes. However they cannot both be taken into the school on the one day. You must only take one dog at a time to school.

  • I would like to volunteer at my children’s school, is this possible?

    Yes, if the school is happy to have the program.

  • Do I have to organise the school?

    No, we can do that for you. If you have a preferred school please let us know on the application form

  • Do I have to find a sponsor before I start?

    It is wonderful if this is the case, but you do not have to. We can help you with that once you have had a few school visits.

  • Do I have to get a Vet Check before I can complete the application form?

    No, but be aware if you and your dog are successful with the Dog Team Assessment you will need a current Vet Check.

  • My Working With Children Check has expired can I still apply?

    Yes, but be aware you will not be able to start in a school until this comes through. In some States this may take many weeks, so we recommend that you get the process started ASAP.

  • Is there an upper age limit for the dog?

    No, as long as your vet signs off that your dog is healthy and fit enough to enjoy the sessions. The dog’s welfare is very important to us. If they are not happy with children patting them, car rides, walking around the school, lying down etc then please consider not volunteering.

  • Does my dog need to be vaccinated?

    To interact safely with children, your dog must be vaccinated or have a positive Titre Test result. 

  • Is there an upper age limit for our volunteers?

    There is no upper age limit. However, you need to be mobile enough to cope with going to school every week and also be able to control your dog. 

  • Do I have to volunteer for a minimum period?

    Yes, ideally for 12 months. The children we help often need a whole year with you and your dog and look forward to your weekly visits. 

We encourage you to advocate for your dog and make sure students and staff at the school only pat your dog and do not hug it.

A happy dog is a safe dog.

Volunteer Coordinators

Story Dogs is always seeking individuals who are keen to be organisers, doers and go getters! A Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for  ongoing Volunteer, school, and sponsor support from enquiries through to onboarding, fundraisers, and beyond. A Volunteer Coordinator must have basic computer skills, good time management and be comfortable speaking with a diverse range of people and organisations. It is a requirement that Volunteer Coordinators have their own dog, and complete two terms of volunteering as a Dog Team to have a complete understanding of volunteering and school-based requirements.


Supporting our Volunteer Dog Teams is an important role, one we give a lot of mentoring support and training to. If you think you could support a group, approximately 10 Volunteer Dog Teams or would like to start a new chapter of Story Dogs in your region, then please contact Janine on janine@storydogs.org.au. Alternatively, you can submit an expression of interest using the form below, noting in the comments that you would like to be considered for a Coordinator Role.


Please find more details of the Volunteer Coordinator Role by clicking the button below.

Expression of Interest

We ensure an environment in which children do not feel insecure or judged