OccuPaws Puppy Raising Program

At OccuPaws Guide Dog Association, our puppies have a very special destiny — to assist a person with a visual impairment in leading a more fulfilling and independent life. For these puppies to achieve their potential, they must grow up in a loving environment and be exposed to a variety of stimulating experiences.

The volunteer puppy raising program is of extreme importance to the OccuPaws program; it establishes the foundation of early experiences, which are critical in preparing the puppy for Formal Harness Training. Volunteer puppy raisers must have the ability to safely house and care for a puppy from eight weeks of age until the required turn-in date (approximately 12-18 months). Volunteer puppy raisers must be willing and able to devote time each day to oversee the complete care of the puppy: feeding, grooming, socialization, and exercise as recommended by the Community Puppy Program Coordinator.

This project involves four major areas of personal and financial responsibility:

1) Providing for the care and well-being of an OccuPaws puppy:

A safe home environment

Food and other supplies required for puppy raising

Healthcare - preventative healthcare, spay or neuter at 6 months of age (when requested by the puppy program), and any necessary incidental healthcare requirements.

2) Enrollment and participation in an OccuPaws or OccuPaws-approved obedience classes for the duration of the project. Volunteer puppy raisers are also required to submit a progress report each month for the duration of the project as well as report behavioral or medical problems to the assigned Community Puppy Program Coordinator.

3) Socialization, which involves systematically exposing the puppy to a variety of environmental and situational experiences. Volunteer puppy raisers agree to follow OccuPaws approved socialization guidelines and handling techniques when working with the OccuPaws puppy.

4) Transportation, which may include shipping costs (for puppies flying directly to the puppy raisers) as well as the costs associated with returning the puppy to one of OccuPaws’ Training Supervisors for Formal Harness Training.

If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer Puppy Raiser, please review the following guidelines:

Puppy Raising Guidelines

The OccuPaws puppy should be the only young puppy (12 months and under) in the household.

Puppy must live indoors and sleep in a crate.

Young puppies must be supervised throughout the day.

Puppy raiser is required to attend approved obedience classes.

Puppy raiser shall pay veterinary, feeding and transportation costs to and from OccuPaws events. (All expenses are tax deductible).

Puppy is to be fed according to OccuPaws’ specifications.

Puppy shall live with puppy raiser until 12-18 months of age.

Puppy raiser is required to keep the OccuPaws puppy on leash at all times unless in a securely fenced area.

Puppy raiser is required to submit monthly progress reports and to promptly report behavioral, medical or training issues to OccuPaws.

Visits to puppy raiser family’s residence by an OccuPaws representative may occur periodically with reasonable prior notice given.

Puppy raiser agrees to return puppy to OccuPaws upon request.

Should boarding become necessary, the OccuPaws puppy must be housed in an approved kennel. **Intact females will be kenneled at an OccuPaws approved facility for the duration of every heat cycle.

Puppy raiser’s age requirements shall be determined by an OccuPaws representative. Puppy raisers under the age of 18 need a parent or guardian to participate as co-puppy raisers.