Puppy Raisers

Are you interested in becoming a puppy raiser for NEADS? Read below for more information, then click the PDF link to download an application. Fill it out, then mail or fax it to us.

Puppy Raiser Application

Weekend Puppy Raisers

Most of our puppies are raised in correctional facilities through our Prison PUP Partnership. Our dogs live with inmates in Massachusetts and Rhode Island prisons Monday through Friday, but our puppies get weekend furloughs! Volunteer weekend puppy raisers take the puppies out of prison each weekend for about a year to work on house manners, socialization, and training. These weekends in a home environment ensure that our dogs get the socialization they need, like visits to the grocery store, movie theaters, the mall, restaurants, and other typical household activities. Before you apply to become a weekend puppy raiser for one of our adorable, energetic puppies you may want to consider what NEADS needs from you.

Requirements include:

  • Attending training sessions at least once a month
  • Submitting weekly online progress reports in a timely manner
  • Taking the pup out of the correctional facility at least three weekends a month for about one year
  • Practicing training and socialization exercises as directed by your NEADS trainer
  • Providing adequate daily exercise as recommended by your NEADS trainer
  • Providing a safe, healthy and loving environment for the puppy

Please note: We currently only accept weekend puppy raiser applications from people who live in MA  and RI. Puppy raisers will travel to the correctional facility nearest to their home to pick up the puppy each weekend (not to the NEADS Princeton, MA campus).

For more information, please contact the Early Learning Center

Full-time puppy raisers

Puppy raisers open their hearts and their homes to puppies for approximately one year and are responsible for building on the foundation begun at the Early Learning Center. Before you decide to foster one of our adorable, energetic puppies you may want to consider what NEADS needs from you.

Requirements include:

  • Committing to one full year of fostering
  • Providing a safe, healthy and loving home for the puppy
  • Attending weekly training classes with the foster family coordinator or a local trainer approved by NEADS
  • Attending regular meetings with your chapter coordinator
  • Submitting written monthly progress reports
  • Following NEADS guidelines and procedures as outlined by the puppy program
  • Providing adequate daily exercise as recommended by the foster family coordinator
  • Socializing the puppy in public
  • Teaching the puppy good manners

Please note: We only accept puppy raiser applications from people who live in MA, ME, NH, NY, VT and RI.

For more information, please contact the Early Learning Center