Puppy Raisers

What is a Puppy Raiser?

Puppy raisers are a special group of volunteers, responsible for taking-in an eight week old puppy. They teach the puppy basic obedience, house and public manners, and socialize the puppy in a variety of environments. Around four months, after the puppy has received their rabies vaccination, a KSDS puppy in training cape will be sent to wear while in public. Depending on the state’s law, the puppy will have varying public access. When the puppy reaches the appropriate age (varying from 16-20 months), it will be returned to the KSDS campus for formal training to become a guide, facility, or service dog.

After the puppy they raised completes formal training, they are given the opportunity to meet the graduate with whom the dog is partnered. They are also given the privilege of presenting the new team to the general public at graduation.

Requirements

  • Puppy raisers are required to spay or neuter the puppy once notified by the Puppy Raiser Coordinator or a member of the KSDS breeding team. KSDS will cover $100 or 50% of the cost of the spay/neuter (whichever is preferred). Some veterinarians reduce costs or donate services since the puppy is in training to become an assistance dog.
  • Puppy Raisers must provide a record of vaccines to the Puppy Raiser Coordinator. All health expenses are the responsibility of the puppy raiser. This includes basic health care and vaccinations. Greater health expenses are evaluated by KSDS on a case by case basis
  • Puppy raisers must fill out monthly puppy reports and send them to the Puppy Raiser Coordinator to monitor the puppy’s progress. At 6 months and 1 year of age, a Behavioral Checklist(BCL) report will be completed focusing primarily on the puppies behavior and reactions to different environments and scenarios.
  • Heartworm and Flea and Tick prevention must be given to the dog on a monthly basis. On behalf of Boehringer Ingelheim, KSDS will provide the first year of prevention at no cost. KSDS then will also assist you in obtaining free or discounted product for the remainder of the puppy in training journey.
  • Hill’s Science will provide puppy and adult food at no cost. KSDS dogs are required to be fed Hill’s Science Diet. For convenience, the food is scheduled to ship right to the puppy raisers door.

How to Apply

Fill out the application online or print it to complete, and mail to KSDS Assistance Dogs, Inc. at 120 W 7th St. Washington, KS 66968. Please provide as much detail as possible as this information can help determine which puppy you receive.

Application for FFA Members

Puppy Raiser Online Application

Puppy Raiser Paper Application

For more information, contact our Puppy Raiser Coordinator at 785-325-2256 or email ksdspuppyraisers@gmail.com.


Did you know?

  • KSDS has had puppy raisers in 23 different states! See the highlighted states on the map below.
  • Most new puppy raisers discovered KSDS and became a volunteer because of another puppy raiser
  • 94% of every donation directly supports the development of KSDS dogs
  • KSDS has placed 630 assistance dogs in 36 states since its inception in 1990
  • First school in the United States to train both guide dogs and service dogs at the same facility
  • KSDS is a proud accredited member of Assistance Dogs International
  • Shares breeding stock with schools around the world

Support Groups

Although Puppy Raisers are spread throughout the United States, they strive to be there for each other. One way they do so is by creating support groups.

There are active groups in a variety of areas in Kansas including Wichita, Lawrence, the Kansas City area, and Manhattan. There is also a support group in Iowa and in Savannah, GA.

The Puppy Raiser Coordinator hosts a virtual Puppy Kindergarten class via Zoom on the second and fourth Wednesday each month at 7pm. This time allows puppy raisers to come together to talk about training and other needs.

KSDS offers different events both on and off campus for puppy raisers to meet for training trips, on campus activities, training experiences, disability awareness, and time with the trainers.

After receiving a puppy, the puppy raiser will gain access to a shared Google Drive folder with the Puppy Raiser Coordinator and to a password protected website that hosts everything you will need during the puppy raising journey. This website includes but is not limited to accessing training materials, health information, monthly reports, and a communications directory.