Volunteer puppy raisers with organizations like Canine Companions play a crucial role in providing specially bred puppies with a loving and secure home. They are responsible for obedience classes, ensuring a healthy diet, facilitating socialization opportunities, and showering the puppies with affection. This dedication is vital to the puppy’s development into a future service dog.
Each moment invested in a Canine Companions puppy contributes significantly to their journey of becoming a service dog. The puppy raising program offers volunteers a unique opportunity to contribute to this important mission. If you’re under 18, a parent or legal guardian needs to complete the application, and you can join as a co-applicant.
Raising a Puppy: Changing Lives
As a volunteer puppy raiser, you’ll need to meet certain requirements:
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Provide a Safe Home: Offer a secure environment for the puppy, ensuring it is the only dog under 12 months old in the household.
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Monitor Progress: Work closely with organizations like Canine Companions to track the puppy’s development and submit monthly reports.
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Attend Classes: Participate in an average of two approved classes per month.
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Teach Basic Skills and Manners: Instruct the puppy in fundamental commands and appropriate behavior.
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Cover Expenses: Provide for the puppy’s food, veterinary care, and puppy class fees.
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Transport to Training Center: Take the dog to the regional training center at the designated time.
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Feed a Recommended Diet: Provide the puppy with a diet recommended by the service dog organization.
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Utilize a Crate: Acquire and use a kennel or crate for indoor sleeping.
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Socialization: Provide age-appropriate socialization opportunities, including public outings and veterinary appointments.
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Leash Requirement: Keep the puppy on a leash at all times, unless supervised in a securely fenced area.
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Supervision: Closely supervise the young puppy throughout the day.
Thanks to partnerships with companies like Eukanuba, active volunteer puppy raisers may have access to discounts on pet food and veterinary care.
Apply to raise a future service dog now and make a difference!
