Puppy Raiser/Nights & Weekends Application
We appreciate your interest in Service Dogs of Virginia’s Puppy Raiser program.
We have two different opportunities volunteers to work with dogs.
A)Puppy Raisers take a puppy from 8 weeks to 1 year. Expectations for puppy raisers is that the pup will accompany you to work, school, shopping etc. to become socialized to new people and situations. You will attend weekly classes and practice the behaviors learned in class during the week. You will fill out weekly training reports to track your puppy's process. This is a one year commitment.
WEEKLY CLASSES ARE HELD IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA, AND ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED FOR PUPPY RAISERS. Please do not apply if you can’t come to Charlottesville. We do not have locations in other parts of Virginia.
B.) Nights and Weekends Home for a dog aged approximately one year or older. These dogs will be dropped off at the training center Monday - Friday from 9:30 to 5:00 for training. You will be responsible for caring for the dog evenings and weekends. You are expected to maintain the training the dogs receive during the week.
A physical fence with space for the dog to play and exercise is highly desirable for all Puppy Raisers and Night & Weekends homes. We will, however, make exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
All volunteers must attend a 5-week class (usually scheduled at either 5:30 pm on a weeknight before they are eligible to become a Puppy Raiser or Nights & Weekend volunteer.
The following application will allow us to better understand your home situation. Please answer all questions thoroughly, and contact us with any questions.
About You
Name
Address - City/State/Zip
Home Phone:
Cell Phone:
Work Phone:
Are you interested in raising a service dog pup from 8 weeks to 1 year, or in becoming a home for an advanced dog on nights and weekends? Circle one.
Puppy Raiser (8 weeks to 1 year)Nights & Weekends home for advanced dog
Household
Do you have a fenced yard or other fenced area where a dog can get exercise?
If you answered "No" to the fenced yard question above, how are you able to provide daily exercise?
Raising a pup is a 12-month commitment. Are you able to make this commitment?
Yes No
List below all animals that are part of your household (living indoors or out) and describe the temperament of each:
Describe your daily schedule (i.e., time you get up, go to work/school, other activities, bedtime, etc.):
What is your occupation? Where is your place of employment?
How many hours a day,on average, will the pup be left alone?
Bringing a puppy into the house involves the entire family. The following questions involve the family as a whole:
Please list the name, relation, and age of members of your household (include spouse/partner):
Do all members of your household want to participate in raising this dog?
If more than one family member is involved in raising the puppy, will you be able to follow SDV’s recommendations on how to divide the training and management of the pup?
Are there any family members not living with you who do not support this project, or who have issues with a puppy?
If more than one family member plans to participate in keeping the pup or taking him on outings or, will that person able to attend classes with the primary handler?
What would you do if the puppy chews on a family member's belongings?
Raising a puppy can be a full-time job; why do you think you have time to care for and train a puppy?
How much exercise can you give the dog each day?
How and where will you exercise the dog?
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Training
Have you ever trained a dog before? If yes, what style of training did you use?
Are you willing to learn a completely new approach to training dogs and discontinue using your previous methods?
Puppy Raiser questions
Are you willing to read the SDV Puppy Manual to learn more about SDV, your pup and his training?
Are you willing to crate train the puppy?
Where will you put your puppy's crate for nights?
Are you willing to purchase toys, treats, and simple equipment for the dog?
Are you able to commit to regularly attend weekly classes and outings IN CHARLOTTESVILLE organized by SDV? If you can’t come to Charlottesville weekly, please do not apply. We do not have locations for training in other parts of the state.
Do you agree to pick up, clean up, and dispose of the dog’s waste when he/she eliminates in public?
Are you willing to frequently take the pup with you out in public?
If you work outside the home or are a student, are you willing to take the puppy with you to work or school on a regular basis?
If you work outside the home, or attend school, have you discussed raising a service dog with your employer or administrators?
Do you have permission from the appropriate person to bring your pup to work or school? Please provide the contact info for that person.
While out in public with your dog, are you comfortable talking to strangers and answering question about what you are doing?
Nights and Weekends questions
If you are interested in being a home for an advanced dog, will you be able to drop off and pick up the dog at the Service Dogs training center during the week (9:30 - 5:00, Monday through Friday)?
Are all family members willing to work towards maintaining the dog's training while he/she lives with you?
When your dog needed to go to the vet for routine visits, would you ever be able to take them to SDV's vet? SDV covers the cost of veterinary care for all dogs.
Are you able to attend training sessions to learn to work with your dog at home and in public?
If you are out with a dog in public, are you comfortable talking with people about your dog and what you are doing?
Where did you hear about Service Dogs of Virginia?
Why do you want to become a puppy raiser?
Besides giving the dog back to SDV when it's time for advanced training, what do you think you will find most difficult about this work?
Is there anyone in your family with a disability?
Please provide a the NAME, ADDRESS and PHONE number of a personal reference. This must be someone who does not live with you:
Questions? Call (434) 295-9503 ore-mail:
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