The Ability Center of Toledo is seeking volunteers for their Assistance Dog Program–specifically puppy raisers.
Puppy raiser volunteers play an important role in training beginning with puppies at 10 weeks old. The role requires a lot of time and extra effort since puppies are puppies with a variety of needs and energy to learn and explore. Volunteers provide a safe home for the puppy for 10 weeks.
New handler training classes, class observation, puppy orientation classes and a home evaluation visit is required for this position. During this time, volunteers help puppies develop good habits through engaged supervision while laying the foundation for communication through consistent training.
Puppy raisers also attend weekly classes and outings with their assistance dogs. Progress reports, communication with the training staff, working with the assistance dog mentor and transporting the puppy to outings and vet appointments is a requirement.
After the 10-week period, puppy raisers can choose to stay on as a foster to finish the service dog training.
Fosters are vital to the Assistance Dog program and its mission.
These volunteers house, train and nurture service dogs in training from 5-9 months of age to up to two years.
“Their mission is to love, care and socialize their service dog in training along with providing training at home, during outings and in group training classes,” explained Mallory Crooks, public relations manager.
“They work closely with the assistance dogs training team to learn cues, manners, appropriate behavior and how the dogs will help in the future either by being placed with an individual with a disability or in a school program,” she added. The complete care of the
The complete care of the dog is the responsibility of the foster family including grooming, feeding, exercise, safety, health and socialization.
“The payback is wonderful knowing that you made a difference in the life of someone living with a disability to become more independent,” Ms. Crooks said.
Fosters attend new handler classes, observe a training class, observe an outing and have a home evaluation visit before receiving a dog.
“Once they receive their service dog in training, they attend weekly one hour group training classes with an assistance dogs trainer and their dog in training,” she noted.
The lessons are designed to help the dog build upon their foundation behaviors with the help of reinforcement and training at home with the foster family. A foster is never alone in this learning process as the assistance dogs canine services team provides a constant link, help and answers throughout the training process. All expenses are covered by our program.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can call 419-885-5733 or fill out a form by visiting www.abil itycenter.org/volunteer.
The Ability Center advocates, educates, partners, and provides services supporting people with disabilities to thrive within their community.