Raise a Puppy

NEADS is always seeking Puppy Raisers, families who open their homes to one of our amazing puppies in training. Puppy raiser opportunities include Weekend Puppy Raisers and Full-Time Puppy Raisers.

Full-Time Puppy Raisers are individuals and families who open their homes to one of our amazing Service Dogs in Training, looking after it 24/7 for 12 to 16 months. Under the guidance of NEADS instructors, they work on good manners, basic obedience, and critical socialization.

Weekend Puppy Raisers take the puppies out of prison each weekend for about a year to work on house manners, socialization, and maintaining obedience work that is taught during the week in prison, under the guidance of NEADS instructors.

College Puppy Raisers raise a future Service Dog for the fall or spring term. The NEADS dog lives with the student raiser during a normal routine of attending classes and school activities. The student teaches the puppy manners and a set of basic commands under the guidance of NEADS Instructors.

Team Puppy Raisers are dedicated volunteers who are interested in working as part of a team to collaboratively raise a dog. Under the guidance of NEADS Instructors, the team works with the puppy on good manners, basic obedience, and the critical socialization.

Dog Sitters

Our Dog Sitters offer a safe space for Service Dogs in Training while their primary Puppy Raisers are unavailable. This temporary position offers a wonderful opportunity for Service Dogs in Training to experience transitions in a safe way and be exposed to new sights, sounds, smells, and routines of a different household. These transitions help Service Dogs in Training understand that there are many safe people-created environments leading to a dog that feels more secure and confident as they transition through their learning phases.

As part of its breeding program, NEADS partners with volunteers to host our breeder dogs in their homes, then return the dogs to campus when needed for breeding and whelping. Breeder dogs are treated much like a pet and be kept safe and happy in the home.