Your Service Dog Inc’s Puppy Raiser Program is one of the cornerstone supports of our P.E.P. Program. Without the devoted assistance and commitment we receive from our Puppy Raisers, we would be unable to go on to provide phase two program dogs or puppies to any of the disabled persons who apply to us wishing to obtain a Service Dog in Training Prospect.
The role of the Puppy Raiser is crucial to providing top-quality Service Dog in Training Prospects to our clients.
After initial selection at a rescue or shelter or after the donation of a puppy to Your Service Dog Inc, the Puppy Raiser takes over the responsibility of caring for the future Service Dog Prospect during the dog’s (or puppy’s) initial training and evaluation period.
Your Service Dog Inc’s Puppy Raisers are carefully selected, vetted, and interviewed before being accepted into the program. There is a 7 day learning period given to each Puppy Raiser Candidate during which the Puppy Raiser learns all about what is involved in becoming one of Your Service Dog Inc’s Elite Team of Puppy Raisers.
During this time, the Puppy Raiser learns about their responsibilities and the support system in Your Service Dog Inc to assist them as they raise a future generation of Full Potential Service DogsTM.
Each Puppy Raiser is provided with a Manual outlining what is required of them and containing guidelines that will help them during their volunteer work for Your Service Dog Inc.
Each of Your Service Dog Inc’s Puppy Raisers work in collaboration with the Trainers at Your Service Dog School to give the Program Dog (or Puppy) placed in their care the best opportunity to eventually become a Full Potential Service DogTM once their training has been completed.
The role of the Puppy Raiser ends once the Program Dog or Puppy that Your Service Dog Inc has placed in their care completes their phase two training and is placed with a disabled Handler.
The Puppy Raiser can, at that point, request another puppy and begin the process again if they wish.
There is no set time limit within which this training and evaluation period must be completed. However, it usually takes approximately 6 months.
During this time, the Puppy Raiser will assist with training while following the online Prospect Evaluation course at Your Service Dog School and the directions of the Trainer appointed by Your Service Dog School to assist them as they navigate the course.
The Puppy Raiser will be required to monitor the Program Dog (or puppy) placed in their care and to keep a record of the dog or Pup’s progress in a journal. They will also be required to send in videos of the Program Dog’s (or puppy’s) progress to the Trainers at Your Service Dog School.
Each Puppy Raiser will be assigned their personal Trainer at Your Service Dog School and receive the support of a dedicated Team of Trainers at Your Service Dog School, including Service Dog Coach Lelah Sullivan, the Headmistress of Your Service Dog School, Mary Walshe and the Head Trainer at Your Service Dog School, Rebecca Mather.
Becoming a member of Your Service Dog Inc’s Puppy Raiser Program necessitates that you follow the guidelines given by the Trainers at Your Service Dog School and complete the Prospect Evaluation Course at Your Service Dog School. The Trainers carry out the continued evaluation of the dog (or puppy) at Your Service Dog School during this course.
Your Service Dog Inc values the donation of time and funds as well as the tender loving care lavished by those who participate in our Puppy Raiser Program on our Program Dogs (and Puppies).
As a token of our appreciation, upon completing their agreed term with a Program Dog (or Puppy), every Puppy Raiser will be presented with a dated Certificate of Gratitude from Your Service Dog Inc.
This certificate will include the image and the name of the Dog (or Puppy) that the Puppy Raiser has assisted Your Service Dog Inc with during their phaspe one and Two training and evaluation period. It will also include the Puppy Raiser’s name.
In gratitude to those Puppy Raisers who choose to volunteer to raise one of Your Service Dog Inc’s Program Dogs (or puppies), we present a Bronze Certificate upon completing the Prospect Evaluation Course at Your Service Dog School.
In gratitude to Puppy Raisers who choose to volunteer for a second term, we present a Silver Certificate upon completing the Prospect Evaluation Course with their second Program Dog (or puppy) at Your Service Dog School.
In gratitude to Puppy Raisers who choose to volunteer for a third term) we present a Gold Certificate upon completing the Prospect Evaluation Course at Your Service Dog School with their third Program Dog (or puppy).
Because of the critical role that Puppy Raisers play in providing quality Service Dogs to our clients, Your Service Dog Inc dedicates a carefully selected team of suitably qualified personnel and Trainers to assist those who volunteer for this position.
If you would like to make a difference to the quality of life of a disabled person by becoming one of our Puppy Raisers, please email us at: puppyraiser@yourservicedog.org, and one of our team will be happy to speak with you in more detail about the position.
