Alert! Many pet friendly Apartments and Condos are now being accepted.
There is an extreme shortage of Puppy Raisers, we are looking for
individuals and families with a few hours a day to devote to the puppy.
Pluses: stay-at-home spouse/person, recently retired
SDFL always needs puppy raisers. The more puppy raisers we have, the more service dogs we can
place with the people who need them.
As a Puppy Raiser, you bring one of our service dog pupies into your home and care for him for a short 3-6 month
during, before going to the next. During the dog's time with you, SDFL pays for some veterinary care, equipment,
and training.
The most heart-warming thing in the world is knowning that you helped a puppy provide a disabled handler a new
level of independence they didn't have before. Where else could you have a such a direct, profound, positive
impact on another person's life?
Puppy Raiser FAQs
How do I become a puppy raiser?
Once we receive your completed application, we will schedule an
interview in your home. This interview gives you a chance to ask further questions about our Puppy Raiser Program
and gives us the opportunity to meet you personally.
How old are puppies when they are placed in foster homes?
Puppies are placed in foster homes
during their first year.
How long do I have the puppy?
Depending the Puppy Raisers abilities they may have them from 3
to 6 months, during that time they are trained a dozen basic obediance commands and house broken. Depending on
your Stage you will be provided a training vest to assist in basic training.
After completing the CGC the puppy enters STAGE 2 and goes to an advanced puppy raiser/trainer. This trainer will begin
exposing the puppy to public access, and training for the Public Access Test. Depending on the dog's temperament and
abilities they usually go to advanced training at the school around 9 to 16 months of age (Stage 3).
STAGE 1 differnt puppy raiser/trainer keeps them for about 3 months each during the dogs first year.
Stage 2 trainers usually raise a puppy also, and pickup a second from a Stage 1 raiser, at this stage some dogs
may be weeded out.
Stage 3 trainers usually only work with 12+ month olds as the puppies require several hunderd hours of
training.
And once you give up the puppy to the next stage along comes another puppy so you can be a part of this wonderful
process again.
Where do potential service dog puppies come from and what breeds are used?
We use primarily Labrador Retrievers and Border Collies in our program due to their size, natural retrieving
instinct and their strong desire to work for and please people.
We look for candidates from our local SPCA's and rescue groups, Orlando, Lakeland and a few others.
Can we have other animals?
Yes, however there can be no other puppies (less than 2 years old)
and any other dogs must be non-aggressive towards the puppy. We do not allow two puppies to be in the same
house-hold, they become a distraction to each other as they constantly play making training even more
difficult.
What is involved in the training process?
Our training methods are based on positive reinforcement,
and we know you will truly enjoy the experience. We will provide you with training videos and sessions as needed.
Most stage 1 puppy raisers can easily train the basic commands of sit, down and stay.
Do I need a fenced yard?
If you have a house with a yard, Yes, a physical fence is required. For the safety of our dogs, we strongly
encourage our foster homes to have fenced yards. Acceptance of a foster home without a fenced yard is done on a
case-by-case basis. If you live in a condo or apartment complex that allows pets you will need to have a second
self closing gate or door. I.e. main entrace door, to prevent a dog from escaping from your unit. A dog
friendly area, such as a dog park must be located nearby as the dog requires daily exercise.
How much exercise do the dogs require?
Puppies need physical activity in the form of play or
walking. Foster homes should expect to provide at least 25-40 minutes of exercise per day and up to 3-4 hours of attention to the puppy depending on it's age and needs.
What equipment or supplies does SDFL provide?
* SDFL provides a Premier or Leader Collar, training leash, training vest and a small crate for crate training.
* SDFL provides training classes, manuals covering reference, medical and training topics
* SDFL also provides ID microchips, heartworm screening, heartworm preventative,
hip evaluations and eye exams at no cost to foster homes.
* Annual Vet care and shots.
What does the foster home provide?
* Dog toys and treats
* Food
* A warm, safe place to sleep
* Plenty of love and attention
* Puppy raisers may pay for minor vet visits if there is a cut or other injury.
Who takes care of the dog if I go out of town?
Usually another volunteer will take care of your dog while you
are on vacation.
Will I get to meet the individual who receives the dog I train?
Yes, as a puppy raiser you will have
the opportunity to meet the individual who receives the dog you trained.
What if the dog is not placed as a service dog?
Not all dogs make it through our program, up to 40% may wash out during the different stages, we attempt to place them as a Therapy Dog, ESA or adopt it out as a pet. Should the latter occur, the puppy raisers have the option of adopting it for themselves.
I live a long distance away, can I still be a puppy raiser? Maybe. On a case-by-case basis SDFL may allow
Corrispondance / Associate Trainers. The distance would prevent you from attending our weekly classes. So individuals
who have basic training experience and are willing to follow video & written instructions may still qualify. SDFL may
do a monthly visit to check on the dogs environment and training status.
PDF Puppy Raiser Application
|
If you are interested in becoming a puppy raiser, please fill out this application and fax/mail/email it to us.
|
|
|
![[NO CLICK/NO ENTER]](/imgs/1x1.gif){kind=small}
