Wanted: Puppy raisers in Mass. for 13 future service dogs

Key Takeaways:

• Urgent Need for Puppy Raisers: NEADS needs volunteers to house and train 13 puppies before the end of March.
• Role of Volunteers: Puppy raisers will care for and train a service dog in their home for 6 to 12 months.
• Comprehensive Support Provided: NEADS offers food, veterinary care, supplies, and training assistance to volunteers.
• Growing Demand for Service Dogs: The increasing need makes volunteer roles essential.
• Flexible Volunteering Options: Programs like team raising and weekend raising accommodate different schedules.

An Urgent Call for Puppy Raisers

Thirteen Labrador retriever puppies from NEADS World Class Service Dogs are in need of nurturing homes before the end of March. The Princeton-based nonprofit is actively seeking full-time puppy raisers in Worcester and Franklin counties, including Leominster, Fitchburg, Greenfield, and Gardner.

About NEADS and Its Mission

NEADS has a longstanding commitment to training world-class service dogs. These puppies, having completed early skills such as crate training, leash walking, and housebreaking at the NEADS Early Learning Center, are ready to embark on the next phase of their journey.

The Role of a Puppy Raiser

Designated puppy raisers take a “service dog in training” into their homes for six to twelve months. Volunteers provide essential care, socialization, and basic obedience training. This role is open to individuals, couples, families, and retirees—anyone willing to dedicate time to making a difference.

Comprehensive Support for Volunteers

NEADS ensures that puppy raisers receive “comprehensive support,” including all food, veterinary care, and necessary supplies. Volunteers also benefit from ongoing, individualized support and training assistance from professionals. Training sessions are flexible, offered in person at the NEADS campus, online, or at mutually convenient locations.

Alternative Ways to Get Involved

For those unable to commit full-time, NEADS offers a “team raising program.” Volunteers collaborate to raise a puppy for six months to a year, sharing responsibilities. Additionally, the “Weekend Puppy Raisers” program allows volunteers to take puppies from the Prison PUP program each weekend, focusing on developing house manners, socialization, and training skills.

The Growing Demand for Service Dogs

“The demand for highly trained service dogs continues to grow,” said Heather Romanoff, NEADS’ manager of raiser operations. “Those who step up to be puppy raisers are essential partners in our mission.” She describes the experience as “unique and rewarding,” emphasizing the profound impact volunteers have on both the dogs and the individuals they will eventually serve.

How to Get Involved

Interested candidates can apply online through the NEADS website. Suitable applicants will be connected with a staff member to schedule an orientation and a home visit. Puppy raisers are expected to provide a nurturing home environment, work on critical socialization and obedience, expose the dogs to public spaces, and manage the physical needs of young, energetic dogs.

Making a Difference

By becoming a puppy raiser, volunteers join a mission that changes lives—not only for the individuals who will receive these service dogs but for the volunteers themselves. NEADS encourages community members to consider this rewarding opportunity to contribute to a growing and essential cause.