PUPPY RAISERS, what are they?

Hello!

This is a new DK group, established to educate and encourage puppy raisers!

Q: What is a puppy raiser?

A: Generally, organizations (usually non-profit) that provide guide, service or hearing dogs to qualified recipients need volunteers who will raise a puppy until it is trained enough to be placed with the intended recipient.

Q: It would be too hard to give up a puppy that I raised, why do I have to do that?

A: You are giving the most valuable gift to a person in need. Your contribution will prepare the puppy to go on and accomplish marvelous things. Your puppy could help a disabled person to live a full and satisfying life. You would have the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to make an important difference in your community. There is great satisfaction in successful puppy raising!

Q: How do I find opportunities?

A: Most organizations that provide service, guide or hearing dogs to individuals have programs for puppy raisers. I would be happy to help direct you to an organization that might suit your interests. You could also search the internet for non-profit organizations that provide these dogs. Most of these organizations list puppy raising opportunities and tell you how to apply.

Q: How much time is involved?

A: That depends on the particular program you are involved with. Most guide dog programs require a puppy raising commitment of 12-18 months. Other programs, such as the Gabby Jack Ranch (personal plug here), incorporates flexibility into the program and will work with the puppy raiser and client to build a program that works for them.

Q: What if I work; can I still be a puppy raiser?

A: Yes, if your employer will allow you to bring the puppy with you to work. Often employers will allow this if the puppy is being raised as a guide, hearing or service dog but you will need to discuss this with your employer. (Usually the program will help you approach your employer.) If you are not able to take the puppy with you to work, there may be other options available, so don't hesitate to ask!

Q: What happens if my dog does not qualify for the program after I have spent time training him/her?

A: Usually you will be given the first opportunity to adopt the puppy. If you choose not to adopt the puppy, then he/she will be presented to other programs or may be placed with a family on a waiting list. This list is comprised of people who want to give good homes to "career change" dogs. Often they are sold or donated to disabled individuals who will continue training the dog to suit their personal needs for a service dog.

Q: Do I have any say in what happens to the dog after he/she leaves me?

A: Generally, no. But some programs (again, the Gabby Jack Ranch program) incorporates a relationship between the puppy raiser and the recipient so that you, as a puppy raiser, will always have contact with the puppy and the puppy's new owner.

Please post your questions freely. I am happy to address them!

I encourage you to look for puppy raiser opportunities.

I hope that people with puppy raiser experience will join this group and share their stories!

The following picture shows FIVE Gabby Jack Ranch siblings, all in training as guide dogs!