Puppy Raisers Needed
We’re looking for dedicated, dog-loving volunteers across Florida to help raise the next generation of service dogs! No prior dog training experience needed! Just bring your love, time, and willingness to learn — we’ll provide the rest. Whether you’re in Central Florida or anywhere in the state, we want YOU to join our mission.
Do Unto Others Assistance Dogs’ model is one of giving to others - not just our money, but our time and talents. One of the most essential gifts is offering the training of service dogs AT NO COST to our clients. In order to make that possible, we must have a pool of volunteer puppy raisers. Puppy raisers are the key to our success, without them we are limited in our ability to best serve our clients.
Puppy raisers are a special “breed” - they give their time, and love to a pup that will not be a permanent member of their family - they are raising a dog for someone else! These amazing individuals set themselves up for a little bit of heartbreak every time one of “their” pups moves to its next raiser. However, they keep the bigger picture before them and are able to celebrate their pup’s success and the joy of the client recipient at graduation as their ultimate goal.
What does a puppy raiser do? First, they open their home to a puppy or teen dog for 6–8 months (flexible timeframes available). They help raise a well-behaved, confident future service dog, by teaching basic commands, manners, and providing socialization opportunities.
How do they know HOW to do all that? Our puppy raisers get support and guidance from professional trainers every step of the way through our monthly online and in-person trainings, our digital puppy raiser manual and Google Classroom resources, as well as one on one coaching sessions.
Is it expensive? Our Do Unto Others Assistance Dogs are provided their food, crates, training treats, and routine veterinary care by the organization or their owners, NOT the puppy raiser! Of course, sometimes a toy (or twenty) might be added, but that’s optional - but is it REALLY?!
Who can be a puppy raiser? Our puppy raisers must be over 18, or have the support of their parents. Teens looking for community service hours for scholarship opportunities find puppy raising a wonderful, fun way to get those hours completed. Singles, couples, families, seniors - all may find being a puppy raiser works for them. Raising a service dog provides flexibility that having a pet does not - service dogs in training MAY go with you to work, travel with you, and live where pets are not allowed. When you get a dog as a pet, you are making a lifetime commitment. When you puppy raise, your commitment is 6 -8 months, about the length of a semester or school year. Our puppy raiser application is online on our website: https://duoassistancedogs.org/apply-to-be-a-puppy-raiser/
