About Puppy Raising
Assistance Canine Training Services (A.C.T.S.) raises and trains service dogs for people with mobility disabilities and for facilities that use dogs for animal assisted therapy. A.C.T.S. is a volunteer driven organization and at the center of the program are the puppy raisers.
Puppy raisers commit up to two years to the socialization and training of a puppy. They generally receive puppies at the age of eight weeks, although occasionally puppy raisers may receive older puppies. The commitment involves a willingness to learn, spend time in training classes, spend time socializing the puppy in public places, and a great deal of heart.
Puppies live in puppy raiser homes as a part of the family. They must learn how to behave both at home and out in public. Training and socialization are very important and raisers must be willing to work with puppies using the guidelines set forth by A.C.T.S.
Puppy raisers must be at least 15 years of age. No prior experience is required. We provide on the job training!
Puppy raisers are not responsible for expenses relating to dog food, training classes, or veterinary care. They are responsible for expenses such as treats, toys, grooming supplies, and in some cases grooming and crates.
The flunk out rate for service dog training is 50% which means that not every puppy will graduate. For this reason, we consider puppy raising to be not only an individual endeavor, but also a group project. Each A.C.T.S. volunteer is considered an important part of every graduating team whether they were the puppy raiser or not. Everyone is invited to attend graduation and celebrate the teams that complete their training. We practice in group classes and puppy raisers are encouraged to enjoy the company and assistance of other raisers by practicing in teams or in small groups.
Puppy raising can be one of the most fulfilling volunteer opportunities available. Seeing how the life of an individual can be changed by a dog is an amazing experience. Watching our facility dogs work with children and adults in schools and therapy situations is also heartwarming. In addition to the joy that is seen in the end-product, puppy raisers grow and learn in their dog training skills. They create new and often long-lasting friendships. They meet and work with some wonderful dogs. And finally, there is that feeling that can only come from giving of yourself and your time to others.
Puppy raising requires a commitment and understanding of the following
The puppy raiser is required to read and follow the guidelines outlined in the Puppy Raiser Handbook and in the Volunteer Handbook
The puppy raiser is required to complete all the volunteer paperwork including but not limited to: Release Form, Emergency Contact Form, Commitment, Code of Ethics, Acknowledgement of Receipt of Volunteer Handbook.
The puppy raiser is required to complete the A+ Puppy Program by attending one session each week for the first eight weeks as arranged by the A+ Puppy Program Trainer.
The puppy raiser is required to attend at least four training classes and/or events or field trips each month.
The puppy raiser is required to complete progress reports monthly.
The puppy raiser is required to keep a calendar of activities and field trips to be turned in monthly with progress reports.
The puppy raiser is required to take the puppy to all necessary veterinary appointments at the assigned veterinary hospital.
The puppy raiser is required to take the puppy to Bridgton Veterinary Hospital for one dental check prior to the age of 5 months, along with any other dental checks after that, should they be required.
The puppy raiser is required to arrange and pay for any boarding that may be required for the duration of time the puppy is in their care.
The puppy raiser is responsible for costs associated with treats, toys, crates, beds, grooming tools, first aid, bowls, and poop bags.
The puppy raiser understands that puppies can be destructive and that A.C.T.S. is not responsible for any damage caused by the puppy while under their care.
The puppy raiser understands that A.C.T.S. will provide food for the puppy, and that raisers can provide food only as it conforms to the A.C.T.S. guidelines.
The puppy raiser understands that A.C.T.S. can sometimes assist in providing grooming, particularly for poodles, but that grooming is not always provided for other breeds.
The puppy raiser is responsible for providing a safe environment, free from any dangers. He/she is responsible for providing the appropriate exercise and training. He/she agrees to keep his/her puppy on leash unless in a safe area far from any danger of vehicles or distractions that may cause the puppy to run out of control. He/she agrees NOT to tie out, tether, or put his/her puppy on a run.
The puppy raiser understands that the puppy is the property of A.C.T.S. and as such any decisions regarding the puppy’s care, training, and volunteer placement, are the sole responsibility of A.C.T.S. and its agents.
The puppy raiser understands that should the puppy flunk out from the program he/she will be adopted into a suitable home and that it is NOT the policy of A.C.T.S. to adopt puppies to their raisers.
The puppy raiser understands that this volunteer opportunity involves up to a two-year commitment and is willing to commit up to two years to the project.
Puppy raisers commit up to two years to the socialization and training of a puppy. They generally receive puppies at the age of eight weeks, although occasionally puppy raisers may receive older puppies. The commitment involves a willingness to learn, spend time in training classes, spend time socializing the puppy in public places, and a great deal of heart.
Puppies live in puppy raiser homes as a part of the family. They must learn how to behave both at home and out in public. Training and socialization are very important and raisers must be willing to work with puppies using the guidelines set forth by A.C.T.S.
Puppy raisers must be at least 15 years of age. No prior experience is required. We provide on the job training!
Puppy raisers are not responsible for expenses relating to dog food, training classes, or veterinary care. They are responsible for expenses such as treats, toys, grooming supplies, and in some cases grooming and crates.
The flunk out rate for service dog training is 50% which means that not every puppy will graduate. For this reason, we consider puppy raising to be not only an individual endeavor, but also a group project. Each A.C.T.S. volunteer is considered an important part of every graduating team whether they were the puppy raiser or not. Everyone is invited to attend graduation and celebrate the teams that complete their training. We practice in group classes and puppy raisers are encouraged to enjoy the company and assistance of other raisers by practicing in teams or in small groups.
Puppy raising can be one of the most fulfilling volunteer opportunities available. Seeing how the life of an individual can be changed by a dog is an amazing experience. Watching our facility dogs work with children and adults in schools and therapy situations is also heartwarming. In addition to the joy that is seen in the end-product, puppy raisers grow and learn in their dog training skills. They create new and often long-lasting friendships. They meet and work with some wonderful dogs. And finally, there is that feeling that can only come from giving of yourself and your time to others.
Puppy raising requires a commitment and understanding of the following
The puppy raiser is required to read and follow the guidelines outlined in the Puppy Raiser Handbook and in the Volunteer Handbook
The puppy raiser is required to complete all the volunteer paperwork including but not limited to: Release Form, Emergency Contact Form, Commitment, Code of Ethics, Acknowledgement of Receipt of Volunteer Handbook.
The puppy raiser is required to complete the A+ Puppy Program by attending one session each week for the first eight weeks as arranged by the A+ Puppy Program Trainer.
The puppy raiser is required to attend at least four training classes and/or events or field trips each month.
The puppy raiser is required to complete progress reports monthly.
The puppy raiser is required to keep a calendar of activities and field trips to be turned in monthly with progress reports.
The puppy raiser is required to take the puppy to all necessary veterinary appointments at the assigned veterinary hospital.
The puppy raiser is required to take the puppy to Bridgton Veterinary Hospital for one dental check prior to the age of 5 months, along with any other dental checks after that, should they be required.
The puppy raiser is required to arrange and pay for any boarding that may be required for the duration of time the puppy is in their care.
The puppy raiser is responsible for costs associated with treats, toys, crates, beds, grooming tools, first aid, bowls, and poop bags.
The puppy raiser understands that puppies can be destructive and that A.C.T.S. is not responsible for any damage caused by the puppy while under their care.
The puppy raiser understands that A.C.T.S. will provide food for the puppy, and that raisers can provide food only as it conforms to the A.C.T.S. guidelines.
The puppy raiser understands that A.C.T.S. can sometimes assist in providing grooming, particularly for poodles, but that grooming is not always provided for other breeds.
The puppy raiser is responsible for providing a safe environment, free from any dangers. He/she is responsible for providing the appropriate exercise and training. He/she agrees to keep his/her puppy on leash unless in a safe area far from any danger of vehicles or distractions that may cause the puppy to run out of control. He/she agrees NOT to tie out, tether, or put his/her puppy on a run.
The puppy raiser understands that the puppy is the property of A.C.T.S. and as such any decisions regarding the puppy’s care, training, and volunteer placement, are the sole responsibility of A.C.T.S. and its agents.
The puppy raiser understands that should the puppy flunk out from the program he/she will be adopted into a suitable home and that it is NOT the policy of A.C.T.S. to adopt puppies to their raisers.
The puppy raiser understands that this volunteer opportunity involves up to a two-year commitment and is willing to commit up to two years to the project.
How do I apply?
For more information or to receive an application call us at 781-856-0055. Once we receive your completed application we will schedule an interview in your home. This interview gives you a chance to ask further questions and gives us the opportunity to meet you personally. Once you have been accepted as a puppy raiser for A.C.T.S. you will attend an orientation meeting. This will give you the chance to hear about our training methods and meet other puppy raisers.
Puppy Raiser Application
Puppy Raiser Application - University of Vermont Students
Puppy Raiser Application
Puppy Raiser Application - University of Vermont Students
