On the never-ending list of things impacted by the pandemic, there is an urgent need in Massachusetts for volunteers to raise puppies that will eventually become service dogs. The puppy raisers just need the time and willingness to show the pups the ropes. They can turn off lights, stay calm in tight spaces and even grab items from the fridge, but the service dogs are life-changing for children with autism, veterans with PTSD and those with disabilities they serve.“NEADS dogs in training have all the same access rights as a fully trained service dog,” said Bailey Sullivan, a puppy raiser instructor. “We want them to go everywhere, as well, because they have to be socialized to all different settings. At NEADS World Class Service Dogs in Princeton, the need for puppy raisers has a lot to do with demand. There are 90 people on their waiting list that need to be matched with a fully trained service dog, and more than 400 waiting to get on the list.COVID-19 has also meant fewer puppies entering the program and an inability for dogs to get consistent advanced training through the nonprofit’s prison program.“We’re asking you to take a puppy from 8 weeks old until 12 to 16 months of age,” Sullivan said.Puppy raisers Bruce and Josie Dow have now trained four dogs for NEADS, including 10-month-old Bobby. “He’s a blast,” Josie Dow said. “That’s why we keep doing it.”While it is a major commitment, including having written permission to take your dog to work, raisers don’t have to worry about paying for food or medical expenses for the dog.They just have to be open to raising a puppy that will eventually become someone else’s best friend and also their new lease on life.“As of right now we have 18 dogs ready in February,” said Domenic Cornacchioli, K-9 operations manager. “We’re probably going to have 20-plus dogs ready in March.”While it can be difficult for these raisers to say goodbye when their time is up with these dogs, they know the commands they’ve taught them will be critical in the life of the person with whom they are matched.Click here to find out how you can become a puppy raiser.NEADS is also holding two virtual information sessions for those interested: Saturday, Feb. 12 at noon and Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 6 p.m.
On the never-ending list of things impacted by the pandemic, there is an urgent need in Massachusetts for volunteers to raise puppies that will eventually become service dogs.
The puppy raisers just need the time and willingness to show the pups the ropes.
They can turn off lights, stay calm in tight spaces and even grab items from the fridge, but the service dogs are life-changing for children with autism, veterans with PTSD and those with disabilities they serve.
“NEADS dogs in training have all the same access rights as a fully trained service dog,” said Bailey Sullivan, a puppy raiser instructor. “We want them to go everywhere, as well, because they have to be socialized to all different settings.
At NEADS World Class Service Dogs in Princeton, the need for puppy raisers has a lot to do with demand.
There are 90 people on their waiting list that need to be matched with a fully trained service dog, and more than 400 waiting to get on the list.
COVID-19 has also meant fewer puppies entering the program and an inability for dogs to get consistent advanced training through the nonprofit’s prison program.
“We’re asking you to take a puppy from 8 weeks old until 12 to 16 months of age,” Sullivan said.
Puppy raisers Bruce and Josie Dow have now trained four dogs for NEADS, including 10-month-old Bobby.
“He’s a blast,” Josie Dow said. “That’s why we keep doing it.”
While it is a major commitment, including having written permission to take your dog to work, raisers don’t have to worry about paying for food or medical expenses for the dog.
They just have to be open to raising a puppy that will eventually become someone else’s best friend and also their new lease on life.
“As of right now we have 18 dogs ready in February,” said Domenic Cornacchioli, K-9 operations manager. “We’re probably going to have 20-plus dogs ready in March.”
While it can be difficult for these raisers to say goodbye when their time is up with these dogs, they know the commands they’ve taught them will be critical in the life of the person with whom they are matched.
Click here to find out how you can become a puppy raiser.
NEADS is also holding two virtual information sessions for those interested: Saturday, Feb. 12 at noon and Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 6 pm
.