It is easy to forget this time of year that the most precious gift to give is your time. Southeastern Guide Dogs, a non-profit organization in Palmetto, Florida (near Sarasota), trains dogs to assist those with vision loss, PTSD and other disabilities, is on the hunt for volunteer puppy raisers. Anyone over the age of 18 can apply to bring home a puppy around 10 weeks old to help train. You’ll be guided to help train your pup with obedience skills, help socialize them, and introduce them to as many experiences as possible, keeping them in your care until around 12 to 16 months old. After you return your puppy to the organization, they’ll work to ensure your pooch is certified as a service animal and is ready to help care for a human friend in need. Southeastern pays for the puppy’s medical expenses, with volunteer raisers covering the cost of food, approved toys, and supplies. No formal training experience is necessary, although prior experience is, of course, encouraged. You’ll have access to a team of experts that will train you to train your pup as part of the six-week Puppy Kindergarten program, with most training sessions happening virtually due to COVID-19 safety regulations. To apply, you can submit an application here.