The OccuPaws Board of Directors is proud to introduce  to you our hardworking dogs and puppies in training.  It takes a very special dog to be a guide dog.  All OccuPaws' dogs undergo extensive health screenings, temperament testing and must pass the Canine Good Citizen certification before entering into the Formal Harness Training phase of the OccuPaws' program.

Take a look at the OccuPaws' ALUMNI!

 

 

 

BREEDING PROGRAM

ROXIE, CGC
Retired
OFA Hips Excellent, Elbows normal , EIC Carrier,  ACVO 

 

Roxie is the daughter of our first breeder dog Dede, whom we have retired to a great home.   Roxie was donated by Ann Garmon of Anthem Labradors in Harvard.  She started out in the home of puppy raiser Heidi Tanner and then on to raiser John McCrea for further training.  Then on to our trainer for her harness training.

She showed us such good overall qualities that we decided to keep her back as our breeder dog. The results are "Deegan" and "Slick" who are both now working for their forever families.  Slick is a Children's Visual Companion Dog for Kaitlyn and Deegan is a Guide Dog for Randy. 

Roxie's second litter of pups are doing well in the OccuPaws Puppy Program as guide dog trainees. 

Roxie is now living at her forever home with Mark and Barb Schultze of Cross Plains. 

 

 

Roxie had her puppies on October 13, 2010.

5 Males and 4 females - all healthy

 

 

If you look at the "A" named puppies on this grouped later on this page, you will meet the volunteers who welcomed them into their homes.

 

 

MELODY
Retired
OFA Excellent, Elbows, Cardiac-Echo, Optigen
EIC Clear by Parentage, Cerf Clear.

U-CH Neverest Courageous Anthem WC “Melody” Show Bred Black female, who carries yellow and chocolate.  She has been bred and is due to have a litter of puppies, which the owner of Melody, Desirae Pausma, has very generously offered to donate the litter to OccuPaws!  She is still living at Neverest Labs and is due on January 22, 2011.  Her handsome mate Ripley (shown above by Roxie) is also the father of this litter.  Melody is also the mother of one of OccuPaws best - Promise!!  Thank-you Mike and Desirae.  Melody is now retired from puppy making.

 

BORN January 15, 2011

Mom is doing well with 1 yellow girl, 2 black girls, 4 yellow boys and 3 black boys - CONGRATULATIONS to the happy couple!!  and a BIG OccuPaws Thank-You to Columbus Countryside Vet Clinic in Columbus and Dr. Gerber for donating the c-section for this delivery!!

Thank-you to the Shade Family Foundation for sponsoring this litter!!

 

 

CINDER
OFA Excellent, Elbows-Normal, Cardiac-Echo-Clear, Optigen
& CNM clear by parentage, EIC Clear, Cerf Clear.
Black but carries yellow & chocolate.

 

 

Cinder was donated to OccuPaws by Mike and Desirae Pausma of Neverest Labs at the same time Promise joined us.  Promise decided on a career as a guide dog and Cinder chose having puppies for OccuPaws.  Desirae has generously offered to maintain and breed her for OccuPaws.  We look forward to her first litter which will be a great addition to the OccuPaws program.

 

GUIDE DOGS IN TRAINING

 

 

RILEY, CGC

This adorable puppy was graciously donated by Kathy LeBreton, Illusion Goldens, of Shirley Illinois.
He will be raised by Chris, Mary and Christina Alger of Janesville, WI.  Riley has completed his harness training with Deanne and now Deanne is interviewing potential candidates to find the perfect match for Riley!

 

 

 

 

 

GORDY, CGC

Gordy came from Sally McCarthy-Munson of Shamrock Acres Kennels in Middleton.  He is being sponsored by a grant from the Gordon Flesch Foundation.  His Vet care needs are being sponsored by the Petcare Animal Hospital.  He was raised by Mark and Barb Schultze of Cross Plains, but has left the nest to begin his formal harness training with Deanne.

 

 

 

MEADOW, CGC

Meadow also comes from Sally McCarthy-Munson of Shamrock Acres Kennels in Middleton.  He was being raised by Kathy Lukenbach and Marcie Repta of Watertown.  He is now entered his next phase of life - formal harness training so he is living full time with Deanne.  Meadow is on a temporary "maturity hiatus" and will be spending a couple months with Diane Herman-Brown of Sun Prairie before resuming his harness training.

 

 

 

 

 

 

JOURNEY

She's back!!!  After a brief hiatius, Journey from Neverest Labs is back in the OccuPaws training lineup.  She is being raised by Uliana Skibicky of Pardeeville, WI.  This is her first OccuPaws Pup.  Journey has completed her testing of every body part, and will be bred at her next heat in hopes of becoming part of OccuPaws breeding program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABBEY, CGC

Abbey was the first born pup from Roxie's litter on October 13, 2010.  Daddy was Ripley, whose services were donated by Mike & Desirae Pausma of Neverest Labradors in Fox Lake.  Her Vet care needs are being sponsored by the  Lakeview Veterinary Clinic of Madison.  She is now living with Caty Ahrens and Gary Edge of Madison.

 

 

 

 

ACE, CGC

Ace was the first born male pup from Roxie's litter on October 13, 2010.   He is being raised by Theresa and Randy Moe of Janesville, WI.  Theresa is also our Janesville area puppy coordinator.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

APPLE, CGC

Apple was number three from Roxie's litter on October 13, 2010.   She is being raised by Kristin Bonnie of Beloit, WI.  This is her first OccuPaws puppy also.  Her vet care is being sponsored by Dr. O'Tool at Country View Animal Hospital in Beloit. Apple will soon be joining Deanne to begin the first of the "A" puppies formal harness training.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AJAX, CGC

Ajax came along in the number four spot from Roxie's litter.   He is being raised by Patrick and Ruth Wasson of Waunakee, WI.  This is their first OccuPaws puppy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASHLAND

Ashland was the fifth born pup from Roxie's litter and the alpha girl! She is being raised by Megan and Cory Schmit of Pecatonica, IL.  While this is their first OccuPaws puppy, they have previously raised pups for Leader Dogs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANGUS, CGC

 

Angus was the numero six from Roxie's litter. Chunky Boy is now being raised by James and Julie Blystone of Verona, WI.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMBER

Amber was number seven in Roxie's litter.  She is currently with Mark Bliss and his daughter Amanda in Belleville.  This is their first OccuPaws Puppy!

 

 

 

 

 

ASPEN

Aspen was the last born pup from Roxie's litter, but only by about 2 minutes.  He is currently being raised by Jill and John Wozniczka of Cross Plains, WI.  This is also their first OccuPaws puppy.

 

 

 

 

 

to the Shade Family Foundation for Sponsoring
the "B names" puppy litter!

 

 

BEAR, CGC

The following group of ten puppies - the "B" litter were all generously donated to the OccuPaws program by Neverest Labs.  Bear was the firstborn baby boy.  He has moved to his new home with Dan Neils and his boys in Watertown.  Welcome to sleepless nights!

 

 

 

BARRON

Barron was next in line as number two.  His new residence as of the 15th is with the Curtis family in Verona.  This is their first OccuPaws puppy also.  We heard Barron sleeps much better than Bear.

 

 

 

 

BREWER, CGC

Brewer was next in line and the first girl.  She spent her first night away from home at a sleepover at the Schultzes before making her move to Greg & Rhonda Garver's in Middleton. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BAILEY, CGC

And then along came Bailey, another boy.  He got to ride in the OccuPaws Express Puppy Delivery Machine all the way to Janesville.  He then kept going on to Beloit to move in with Kurt and Kristy Handrich, veteran OccuPaws puppy raisers.

 

 

 

BRATCHET, CGC

Bratchet was next and was known as Miss Blue.  She was lucky enough to be the first pup to leave the nest and move to her new home with Michelle and Steve Richards in Richfield.  While they are new to raising an OccuPaws puppy, they own Happy Hounds in Germantown so they have plenty of dog training experience.  Michelle is also the Milwaukee Region Puppy Coordinator.

 

 

 

BADGER

Badger is now in his new home, living with and being trained by Brenda and Michael Maass and family.  The Maass's had raised Logan, who is now their pet, due to his desire to chase things!  They should have a great time together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUCKY, CGC

Bucky, aka Mr White, aka Mr Tongue, decided after a week that he would like to live in an all blonde carpet world, so he has moved to the Fox family home in Pewaukee.  He will be trained primarily by Sara Fox, with the help of her parents, Andy & Tracey, her sister, Elly, and her brother, Drew.  Bucky says he is enjoying being the center of attention!.

 

 

 

BISCUIT

Biscuit is a little yellow female from Mama Claire, also from Neverest Labs.  She was added to the litter as her puppy test results predicted a WINNER so she will get her chance at fame as a guide dog while living with Diane Herman-Brown of Sun Prairie.  Biscuit is currently living with Beth Goman of Waukesha, working on changing a couple habits.

 

 

 

BARRY

Barry hails from the Melody litter also, and now that the Fox's have made room for Bucky, the Schultze Pack has decided to fill the void with this quiet (can you believe it) little boy.  Rumor has it that he may actually stay with this house more than a week. 

 

 

 

 

FAITH

Faith, our newest puppy in training, has been donated by Neverest Labs.  She is a female black lab, first introduced to OccuPaws at Hogs for Guide dogs.  She has moved to Cedarburg, WI to be raised and trained by Celina Brault, with a little help from the whole family!  Welcome to our OccuPaws family.

 

 

 

GYPSY

Gypsy is our latest arrival donated by  Sally McCarthy-Munson of Shamrock Acres Kennels in Middleton.  She is currently being raised by first time puppy raisers Ken and Laura Felz and sons Jacob and Jared of Middleton.

 

 

 

GUS

Gus, Gypsy's brother and half brother to Gordy and Augie was also donated by Sally McCarthy-Munson of Shamrock Acres Kennels in Middleton.  He is a handsome little yellow boy.  He is being raised by Natalia Kutny of Saukville, WI with a little help from Mom.  Welcome to OccuPaws.

 

SCOUT

Scout, our first chocolate lab since Timber, was donated by Mike & Desirae Pausma of Neverest Labs in Fox Lake. He is a fun loving lad, almost stolen by Deanne who has a soft spot for chocolates, but will be living with Mark & Barb Schultze of Cross Plains, WI.

 

 

 

 

 

HOWIE

Howie was donated by Mike & Desirae Pausma of Neverest Labs in Fox Lake. He is a sweet boy who will be living with Lindsey S. of Menomonie, WI.  Welcome to OccuPaws.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IRIS

A new puppy (female yellow lab) will be joining OccuPaws in December from Shamrock Acres Kennels in Middleton.  She has been named Iris is now living in Madison with her new raisers, Bob Philbin and Carol Wilson.  She is a future breeding female prospect as well as a guide dog candidate.

 

 

 

JALA

And yet one more new baby joins the ranks, this time donated from Mike and Sharon Long of Sun-Golden Kennels in Edgerton.  Her name is Jala means (Special One in Sawhili).  She will be moving in with Theresa, Randy and Kathy Moe along with OccuPaws Pup - Ace.  She is a half sister to Candy, who is guiding Sawyer in Reedsburg.  She plans on doing just as well!

 

 

 

 

 

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If you are interested in becoming a volunteer puppy raiser or a volunteer puppy sitter for OccuPaws, please contact us at (608) 772-3787 or puppy@occupaws.org

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At this time because OccuPaws is in the early stages of developing our own breeding program, we are accepting a limited number of Labrador puppy and young adult donations that meet our selection criteria for size,  health, and temperament.  (We would also consider Golden Retrievers or Standard Poodles on a case by case basis).  Our minimum standards for all guide dog candidates require that the parents have official OFA Hip and Elbow, Cerf and PRA clearances as well as the pups being EIC non affected or clear.  Cardiac Clearances would be an added benefit.

For any puppy donations, please send an email to our breeding expert at desirae@occupaws.org

If you would like to donate a young dog or puppy to OccuPaws, we would be happy to assist you. Please note that all donations are tax deductible.