Attend one of our club meetings. Fill out the Puppy Raising Interest Form on the Guide Dogs for the Blind website.

No prior experience is necessary! Puppy raising volunteers can be any age, whether you’re 9 or 90. Families are great too! Puppy raisers are attentive learners, adaptable in different situations, and know that their effort and hard work will contribute to the puppy's potential. Most importantly, you must love puppies, and enjoy being of service.

Puppies are typically 8 weeks when the raiser receives them and approximately 14-16 months old when they return for more training at Guide Dogs for the Blind.

• All veterinary care expenses

• Leashes, collars, and other training equipment

• Food, toys, and sometimes crates are provided by the raiser

Yes, as long as the pet is well-behaved and doesn't negatively impact the puppy's training.

Puppies get to go almost everywhere with their raisers! They take the puppy to work and school with them. If your work or school will not allow this, we could facilitate a co-raising agreement.

Yes! Every puppy does daily training exercises, but the rest of their day is normal puppy activities and playing.

Positive reinforcement is the basis for most of our training exercises.

No, a fenced yard isn't absolutely required, but a safe and secure area where the puppy can relieve and exercise are necessary.

Yes! GDB's puppy raising program complements many FFA, 4H, homeschooling, high school, and college programs.

Usually, yes. Raisers are invited to attend the graduation of the puppy they raised.

Career change dogs are considered for placement with partner organizations. If that is not an option, the raiser may be able to adopt the puppy they've raised.

Yes! There are lots of options, including puppy sitting, co-raising a puppy, starting a puppy, finishing a puppy, and other support roles in a puppy club.