Puppy raisers needed for Cambridge service dog charity
CAMBRIDGE — National Service Dogs has issued an urgent call for volunteers to raise its latest litter of puppies.
The Cambridge-based charity needs loving homes this month for 11 golden retriever/Labrador mix puppies.
Volunteer puppy raisers look after the dogs until they are 14 to 16 months old, teaching basic obedience and socializing their furry fosters. Food and veterinary care are covered.
“We walk with them the whole way,” said Caitlin Bonaldo, assistant director of puppy development.
Six to eight litters are born a year, about 60 puppies in total. More puppy raisers are needed, especially now since the organization wants to train more service dogs.
“We have a lot of repeat raisers but we are looking to expand,” Bonaldo said. “Our wait list is so long and it takes two years to raise one of the service dogs.”
Puppies spend their first eight weeks at a whelping home, where they’re born.
“Then they will go out to the puppy raisers and start their service dog training,” she said.
Next comes advanced service dog training to prepare them for supporting children with autism and people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and those with physical and mental trauma.
National Service Dogs provide certified dogs for free. It receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations, sponsors and fundraising.
For those who are unable to raise a puppy but still want to help, there are other volunteer opportunities, including puppy sitting, providing a whelping home, and evening enrichment for dogs in advanced training.
Anyone interested in raising a puppy can email Bonaldo at caitlin@nsd.on.ca or fill out an application form online.