Puppy
Raising Application
Puppy Raiser's Blog
Community Puppy Program Coordinator
Nicole Meadowcroft
6610 Fieldwood Road
Madison, WI 53718
(608) 444-9555
PUPPY
PROGRAm TRAINER
Doug Weil
doug@occupaws.org
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
8 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 along with one
good photo of the puppy/dog 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
must live within 90 minutes of Madison to be able to
attend OccuPaws puppy raiser classes in Madison and/or
Janesville.
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.
