Photo: Guide Dogs after being trained by a puppy raiser © Courtesy of Guide Dog Foundation
Raising a puppy that will become a guide or service dog is one of the most fulfilling ways to create positive change. These exceptional animals create life-changing experiences by empowering people who are blind or have low vision and by providing support to veterans, active-duty military personnel, and first responders who have physical or emotional disabilities such as PTSD.
Being the puppy raiser of a special puppy for assistance dog work allows you to be part of a transformative experience—one that changes not only the life of the person who will one day rely on that dog, but your own as well.
The dogs from America’s VetDogs and the Guide Dog Foundation serve as symbols of freedom and independence for their recipients, who receive all services free of charge from the sister national nonprofit organizations. From guiding individuals who are blind or have low vision with confidence, to supporting veterans and first responders with both physical and emotional challenges, these dogs empower their handlers to live fuller, more independent lives.
Future assistance dogs can’t be raised in kennels—they need real-world experiences and socialization to prepare them for the environments they’ll one day navigate alongside their handlers. While no prior dog-training experience is required, puppy raisers take on the essential role of introducing these puppies to the world and laying the foundation for their specialized training by certified Guide Dog Mobility Instructors and Service Dog Instructors when they are a bit older.
The success of future guide and service dogs depends heavily on the essential work that volunteers perform during their development. Those interested in puppy raising can choose from full-time, weekend, or part-time opportunities, depending on their location across the United States.
The initial stages of raising a future guide or service dog involve socialization and basic obedience training. Puppy raisers expose the young dogs to a variety of environments, from busy city streets to quiet parks. They teach them fundamental commands such as “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” But it’s not just about obedience; it’s about ensuring these dogs are comfortable and composed in various situations, ready to face the world that awaits them and their future handler.
After 14 to 18 months with their puppy raisers, the dogs are called back to America’s VetDogs and Guide Dog Foundation national training center in Smithtown, New York, to begin their formal training. At this point, they are assigned to expertly trained program staff and begin a three-to-four-month training process focused on maximizing the use of positive training methods to enhance their learning and understanding.
A hallmark of America’s VetDogs is its meticulous matching process, pairing each participant with the dog that best fits their mobility, personality, lifestyle, and emotional needs. It’s been said that the organization is better at matchmaking than eHarmony.
Once the matching process is complete, each dog receives additional training tailored to the specific needs and lifestyle of their future handler. When the dogs are between 18 months and two years old, they’re paired with their new handler for two weeks of joint training on Long Island. Puppy raisers are then invited to Celebration Saturday, a special “graduation” ceremony that’s also streamed live on Facebook. These incredible dogs become the bridge to a world of enhanced independence, joy, and hope for those they serve, as well as their family and friends.
It takes a village to raise a hero—and it starts with people like you. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer puppy raiser, learning about applying for an assistance dog, or donating to help advance the missions of America’s VetDogs and the Guide Dog Foundation, visit VetDogs.org/GH or GuideDog.org/GH.
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The service dog programs of America’s VetDogs were created to provide enhanced mobility and renewed independence to veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities, allowing them to once again live with pride and self-reliance.