Becoming a Southeastern Guide Dogs puppy raiser is a rewarding experience that requires a significant time commitment. You'll need to dedicate at least 12-18 months to raising a puppy.
Southeastern Guide Dogs puppy raisers are responsible for socializing and training puppies from 8-14 months old. This involves exposing them to various environments, people, and situations to help them become confident and calm guide dogs.
As a puppy raiser, you'll receive support from Southeastern Guide Dogs, including access to online resources, regular check-ins, and training sessions.
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Southeastern Guide Dogs Resources
Southeastern Guide Dogs has a dedicated team of professionals who provide support and guidance to puppy raisers every step of the way.
They offer regular training sessions and workshops to help puppy raisers learn new skills and stay up-to-date on the latest techniques.
Puppy raisers can also reach out to their assigned puppy raiser coordinator for one-on-one support and advice.
The organization provides a comprehensive guide for puppy raisers, outlining everything from feeding and exercise to housebreaking and socialization.
Southeastern Guide Dogs also has a robust online community where puppy raisers can connect with each other, share experiences, and ask questions.
Their website is a valuable resource, offering a wealth of information on puppy care, training, and behavior.
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Getting Involved
You can become a volunteer puppy raiser with Southeastern Guide Dogs, no experience needed, just a willingness to help.
To get started, you must be at least 18 years old, but a parent or guardian can agree to share the responsibility with a younger teenager.
Southeastern Guide Dogs has 30 puppy raiser groups across six states, and each group meets bi-monthly to support their volunteers.
As a puppy raiser, you'll be responsible for covering the expenses of food, flea prevention, collar, leash, crate, approved toys, and other necessary items for the puppy.
Southeastern Guide Dogs will cover the expenses for veterinary care.
You can have other dogs or pets in the house while participating in the program.
The process of becoming a puppy raiser takes about 6 weeks, just in time for 40 puppies to be ready to start their basic training.
You can try co-raising with a friend or be a puppy sitter if you're not ready to be a full-time puppy raiser.
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After a year, the puppy returns to Southeastern Guide Dogs for more intense training and is matched with their "forever person."
You can learn more about being a puppy raiser by visiting www.guidedogs.org and clicking on "Raise a Puppy."
Here's a summary of the requirements:
- Age: 18 years old or older (or with parental/guardian permission)
- Responsibilities: Provide food, flea prevention, collar, leash, crate, approved toys, and other necessary items
- Meeting frequency: Bi-monthly with local group
- Training duration: 12-16 months
- Expenses covered: Veterinary care
Sources
- https://www.ospreyobserver.com/2015/07/southeastern-guide-dogs-launches-macdill-puppy-raiser-group/
- https://www.pawsibleinc.org/community
- https://www.wtsp.com/article/life/animals/southeastern-guide-dogs-volunteer-puppy-raisers/67-91dcb1c3-7c12-4682-a001-6e8ad13f1ab7
- https://www.thv11.com/article/news/puppy-raisers-needed-at-southeastern-guide-dogs/91-484924087
- https://givefreely.com/charity-directory/nonprofit/ein-592252352/
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