General Info

FAQ's About Puppy Raising Each hour spent caring for a C.H.A.M.P. puppy is vital to its development as a future assistance dog. The puppy raising program provides a unique opportunity for volunteers to assist with its very important mission. Volunteer puppy raisers provide these specially- bred puppies a safe home, serve up a healthy diet, provide socialization opportunities and give lots of love. The following is a list of things that C.H.A.M.P. Assistance Dogs, Inc expects you to do with your puppy. Early experiences help insure success in later training! Acting as a C.H.A.M.P. Assistance Dog, Inc ambassador when out in the community with the dog Yes, as a C.H.A.M.P. Assistance Dog, Inc puppy raiser you will have the opportunity to meet the individual who receives the dog you raised. You may go along on any placement training visits and when graduation is held you have the opportunity to celebrate reaching the goal of your dog graduating as a service dog. If agreeable by all parties involved, a life long friendship maybe formed. For the safety of our dogs, we strongly encourage our puppy raiser homes to have fenced yard. Pups need lots of exercise every day to ensure healthy development, as well as to keep them good and tired' and out of trouble! Please note that we do not allow puppy raisers to use electric fences. Active puppies need physical activity in the form of play or walking. Puppy raiser homes should expect to provide at least 25-40 minutes of exercise per day. This could be accomplished by brisk walking or playing in a safe, fenced area. Please understand that for young dogs under 1 year, bones are still forming. Exercise by running the dog along side you while you run, jog, bike, etc. is not appropriate for young dogs. Rollerblading with the dogs is not allowed. Q. I work outside the home. Can I still be a Puppy Raiser Certainly! Many puppy raisers take their pups with them to work, and we encourage them to do so. Of course, you would need to OK this with your manager or supervisor.