BASIC INFORMATION
Volunteer Position: Puppy Raiser
Reports to: Puppy Raiser Program Lead
Time Commitment: 10-12 months
​​Our puppy raising program provides a unique opportunity for you to assist Good Dog! in helping children and families living with a disability. As a volunteer puppy raiser, you will provide a puppy with a safe home, take them to obedience classes, feed them a healthy diet, socialize them and give them lots of love. Read more about the experience of puppy raising on our blog.
Our volunteer puppy raisers provide a great service to the Good Dog! program; you will help establish the foundation of early experiences, which are critical in preparing the puppy for Advanced Training. This commitment involves four major areas of personal and financial responsibility:
RESPONSIBILITIES
Care
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Provide a safe home environment.
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Supply Good Dog! approved food and other supplies required for puppy raising.
Dog Training
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Participate in our online puppy training program and attend a 30 minute check-in with your training supervisor via zoom twice a month.
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Submit monthly training reports.
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Participate in virtual or in-person meetings as requested by Area Lead.
Socialization
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Enroll in Good Dog! approved puppy socialization classes.
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Expose the puppy to a variety of environmental and situational experiences.
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Create opportunities for the puppy to interact with children.
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Agree to follow Good Dog! approved socialization guidelines and handling techniques.
Commitment
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Safely house and care for a puppy from eight weeks of age until approximately 12-14 months of age. Household must not include children younger than six or pets younger than 2 years of age.
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Devote time each day to oversee the complete care of the puppy: feeding, grooming, socialization, and exercise as recommended by our Good Dog! Lead Trainer.
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Puppy Raiser pays the cost of supplies, food and care. Good Dog! pays for all medical costs related to the puppy.
Raise a Puppy –
Change a Life
The Right Start: What it takes to raise puppies for service dog organizations – and why it's so important
"Puppy raisers are also critical to smaller organizations like the nonprofit Good Dog! Autism Companions, which raises service dogs for children with autism. The dogs provide calming pressure when a child becomes overstimulated and act as a social bridge to other kids."