Volunteer Information
All About Volunteering at USDAA® Cynosport® Presented by Purina® Pro Plan®
Volunteer Information for 2026 Cynosport® will be posted as the event gets closer.
How can I sign up to volunteer?
Please sign up by clicking on the sign up form(s) for each day of the competition.
Thursday, 11/12: AM/PM
Friday, 11/13: AM/PM
Saturday, 11/14: AM PM
Sunday, 11/15: AM PM
Volunteer Timeline Guide - tool to help volunteers figure out when they are available to help out in the rings.
Who can volunteer and what are the qualifications?
Nearly everyone can be a volunteer, young and old. We need a lot of help and can provide on-the-job training. Experience with dogs or agility is not necessary.
Can a competitor volunteer?
Absolutely! Our volunteer coordinator can work with you to make sure it doesn’t conflict with your competition schedule.
Once we are closer to the event and the running order is finalized there will be links to the actual volunteer schedule and you can sign up for work shifts.
Can a volunteer request a certain job or time to work, and can you volunteer with a friend or family member?
Yes. We will make every effort to honor special requests.
Are there any benefits for volunteers?
Our volunteers receive swag perks like shirts as well as snacks and light meals depending upon your shift. If you are seeking credit for work or school or a reference, we can provide that as well.
What are the agility jobs you fill with volunteers?
- Gate Steward
Summary: Make sure dogs and handlers are ready at start line.
Armed with a running order, call out the names of handlers and dogs to make sure they are present and aware of when they will be going into the ring. You must not be too shy for this job as it can require shouting for missing handlers. You must also be prepared for nervous handlers asking repeatedly when they will be running. It’s a great way to get to know names and faces. You can make a show run faster and smoother if you:
- Have the next three dogs ready to go.
- Have the next dog on the starting line before the previous dog finishes, if possible.
- Provide information to the scribe about missing dogs, without interrupting a dog’s run.
- Scribe
Summary: Make marks on paper when judge raises hand or calls out a number.
Mark down faults and points as directed by Judge on the scribe sheet while each dog is running. Scribing differs for different classes, just as judging differs. The Judge will instruct you as to the meaning of various hand signals; s/he is always pleased to provide you with a quick one-minute primer on the signals if you ask. If you ever are unclear about a Judge’s signal, wait until after that run and clarify before the next dog starts. It is wise to verify that you have the correct scribe sheet for each dog. IMPORTANT: You must watch only the Judge at all times during each run, never the dog or handler.
Note: The scribe and gate work together to keep things moving and ensure the correct dog is on the line and the correct scribe sheet is ready.
- Timer
Summary: Use timer to time a dog during a run.
This job requires full attention and no distractions, as focusing on the dog crossing the start line and finish line is critical. One person must time an entire jump height within a class to minimize timing differences. The Judge will give you specific instructions on timing a class before the first dog runs. The Timer is important in keeping the competition running on time.
Note: The gate, scribe and timer work together to keep everything on track.
- Scribe Runner
Summary: Take scribe sheet to Score Table one at a time. May require a bit of walking (probably not running).
- Leash Runner
Summary: Take leashes from the start line to finish line.
This is a very easy job often filled by children. However, you should be as invisible as possible to the handler at the start; don’t demand the leash or crowd the dog in anticipation of the removal of the leash.
- Pole Setter
Summary: Reset bars for height changes and when they are knocked by dogs during a run.
- Score Table
Summary: Add up marks made by Scribe and write them on the master score sheet.
Take the scribe sheet from the Runner, compute how much (if at all) the dog exceeded course time using a calculator, add up the faults (they are all multiples of 5), and determine whether the run qualifies (for example, has five or fewer faults). At the end of each jump height, determine first, second, third and fourth places.There are always at least two people at the score table to double-check each other, and there is always at least one experienced score table person to give instructions and answer questions. Sometimes a third person can copy scores from the master score sheets to the posted score sheets to make results available more quickly for competitors.
- Course Builder
Summary: Move obstacles between rounds as directed by the Chief Course Builder.
Help move equipment between classes to set the course for the next class. Requires more brawn than brains. You must be aware of when each class ends so the new course can be set quickly. Efficiency in course building can significantly affect how late a show goes. Generally, the Chief Course Builder (and then the judge during final “tweaking”) provides instruction about what pieces of equipment are needed and where to place them.
- Registration Check-In
Check names off a list or hand out catalogs.
If you can help first thing in the morning, you can offer your services at the Registration Table. You can check people off on the check-in lists, hand out catalogs or goodies, or help with measure-in (handle paperwork for the measuring judge).