Puppy raisers needed: Volunteers help pups become service dogs
Duke Puppy Kindergarten has a need for "puppy raisers," or volunteers to take care of puppies before they are trained become service dogs.
Partnering with Canine Companions, a national service dog nonprofit, the Duke Puppy Kindergarten tests the cognitive performance of puppies between the ages of 8 weeks to 20 weeks, at a time when their brains are developing at a rapid pace.
The press release reads, "The goal of the research is to understand what experiences puppies need early in life to be successful service animals. A puppy’s brain is mostly developed by 20 weeks. By measuring how puppies perform in cognitive tests, researchers can determine which skills are important to service dog success."
The Duke Puppy Kindergarten program is meant to create more service dogs, but volunteers are needed to take care of the puppies and bring them in for testing up until 20 weeks.
A puppy raiser can live anywhere in North Carolina as long as they are willing to drive to Duke University. Puppy raisers will care for the puppies until 18 months of age, when they can begin formal training.
To date, Duke has tested the cognitive performance of more than 70 Canine Companions and potential service dogs.
Interested volunteers can apply online at canine.org/raise. Teenagers under 18 can co-apply with their parents.
According to the website, a puppy raiser must agree to:
- Provide a safe environment for a puppy who will be the only dog under 12 months old in the house.
- Work closely with Canine Companions to monitor the puppy’s progress and submit monthly reports
- Attend an average of two Canine Companions approved classes per month.
- Teach the puppy manners and basic commands.
- Provide for the puppy’s food, veterinary expenses and puppy classes and transport the dog to the regional center at the projected turn-in time.
- Feed the puppy a diet recommended by Canine Companions.
- Acquire and utilize a kennel or crate for sleeping indoors.
- Provide the puppy with age-appropriate socialization opportunities, such as public outings and veterinary appointments.
- Keep the puppy on a leash at all times, unless supervised in a securely fenced area.
- Supervise the young puppy throughout the day.
- Agree to return the puppy upon request.
