Well-raised Puppies are the Lifeblood of our Organization and it can Start with you!
Our Puppy Raisers not only love dogs, but more important, they want to make a positive difference in the life of someone who is disabled and seeking greater independence.
How does it work?
As volunteer “foster family,” you will be teaching the pup about love, trust, bravery, basic obedience, and socialization. You’ll take your pup just about everywhere you go: to movies, church, theme parks, bowling, restaurants, stores and malls. You’ll use public transportation like buses, trains, and airplanes. They can go with you on vacations. You’ll expose them all the things they could encounter as working service dog so they become confident and comfortable in any situation.
Puppies are constantly learning during their first year of life! You’ll enjoy attending our specialized training classes and outings along with other Puppy Raisers and learn to teach your puppy basic obedience commands like sit, down, stay, heel, and come.
Becoming a volunteer Puppy Raiser of a future service dog is a 15 to 18 month-long commitment of time, energy, and love. Every day through care and training, Puppy Raisers provide the critical foundation that puppies need to begin formal service dog training. There are few things in this world more heart-warming than seeing your pup work seamlessly with its disabled handler knowing that you’ve given someone a level of independence that she or he did not have before.
Additional Details
What is CST Responsible for?
- Da2pp & Bordetella
- Reimbursement of spay/neuter up to a certain amount (To be discussed upon placement)
- Training equipment
- Provide tools for raisers to be successful
- Provide monthly flea medications
- Provide microchip
What is a Puppy Raiser Responsible for?
- Provide routine vet care at your expense
- Have dog spayed/neutered and given rabies when instructed
- Get approval before taking puppy to vet or on trips.
- Attend at least 6 outings per year
- Attend at least 2 group classes a month
- Notify CST if you are unable to take the puppy where you are going and need to board it
- Feed high quality food
- Administer monthly flea medications
- Send monthly reports
- Turn in the dog at estimated due date with all vaccinations up to date and all paperwork.
- Take puppy into public weekly, and report behavioral concerns IMMEDIATELY.
Puppy Raiser Volunteer Application
Overview:
Volunteer Puppy Raisers are the roots of Canine Support Teams. The puppy program raiser prepares puppies to become future service dogs by establishing positive experiences during early learning. Becoming a puppy raiser involves three major areas of personal and financial responsibility.
Caring for the wellbeing of the puppy
- Safe environment
- Food for puppy
- Healthcare- Rabies vaccination, spay/neuter at 6 months of age.(When requested by an instructor) and other incidental healthcare requirements.
Participation and communication. Raisers must attend a minimum of 2 group training classes per month at our Menifee facility, A minimum of 6 public outings as a group per year, and communicate training progress and immediately report any issues you may be having during the raising process.
Socialization. Expose the dog to age-appropriate social situations. Raisers agree to ensure the dog is acting appropriately and practicing safe handling in public.
Requirements: Volunteer puppy raisers must commit to the outlined responsibilities. They must house and care for the puppy until the required turn-in date( about 1.5 years). Raisers must be willing and able to devote time each today to oversee the complete care of the puppy: feeding, grooming, socialization, and exercise as recommended by Canine Support Teams.
Training: Puppy Classes are offered through Canine Support Teams at our Menifee Facility.
