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RAP
Raising Assistance Partners
Puppy Raiser Program
R.A.P. Team Application
| Puppy Raisers are volunteers in Denver & the surrounding Metro Area who give their home and time to raise a puppy in preparation for its career as a service dog. The puppy raising home is a volunteer (single or family) that commits to taking care of the puppy. Puppy raisers come from all walks of life, providing the food, supplies, training, socialization, and love the puppy will need starting at between 8 to 12 weeks of age and going to 24 months of age. It is not necessary for the puppy raiser to be experienced. We just like for the puppy raiser to be full of love, dedication, and commitment.
As a puppy raiser, it is also your responsibility to socialize the puppy as much as possible by visiting local businesses, churches, restaurants, etc. By doing this, you are preparing the puppy for many different sights, sounds, and situations so that when the puppy is placed as a trained dog, it is familiar with these environments and it can focus its attention on the person it will be assisting.
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The following are some of the guidelines that are to be followed as a puppy raiser:
- Colorado Service Dogs trainers interview potential raisers in their homes.
- Raisers must be screened by Colorado Service Dogs, Inc. Director of Training, Sharon Davis, as an appropriate family.
- Raisers must be adults Be 18 years of age, children of 13 years of age and older will need approval.
- Raisers must accept and agree to the guidelines of the foster home program and sign agreements and protocols concerning the foster care arrangements.
- Raisers must attend all required classes and keep records of what training was done and what training accomplishments have been met.
- The puppies are placed on a specific diet as determined by Colorado Service Dogs, Inc.
- Other animals in the puppy raising home are perfectly acceptable, as long as they are accepting of a new puppy coming into the home.
- The Dog/puppy will have there care cost covered by Colorado Service Dogs, unless voluntarily picked up by the foster home.
- All puppies must be raised in an indoor environment. Young puppies need to be supervised throughout the day. All puppies must be on leash when not in a secure area.
- Raisers must provide daily exercise and socialization for the puppies.
- All members of the household must be committed to raising a puppy.
- Raisers are required to release the puppy back to Colorado Service Dogs at the organization’s request.
Puppy Raiser/Foster families will not be approved if any of the following factors are noted:
- History of Physical abuse.
- Currently abusing or addicted to alcohol or drugs.
- History of arrest or convictions, misdemeanor or felony especially charges of domestic violence or any crime against family, person or animal.
- Do not have adequate space to keep a foster-dog/puppy including an unfenced yard or dog run. Each foster family home will have a physical evaluation done by a CSD representative prior to taking possession of foster-dog/puppy.
- Unable to attend required training sessions with CSD.
- Unable to provide the necessary time and commitment.
- Have a large quantity of pets in the home or ones with aggression issues or history.
Are You Ready To Become A Puppy-Raiser?
Before you consider if puppy-raising is right for you, below are some very important questions to consider. If you can answer “yes” then you may become a valued puppy-raiser for CSD!
- Are you willing to make a commitment of 24 months to this puppy?
- Will you invest the time (daily and beyond) needed to successfully raise a puppy?
- Are you home during the day? Does your job require you to travel a lot? If you are not home during the day, will you take the puppy to work, school etc. under our guidance?
- Do you recognize dogs are social animal that need interaction with people and other animals?
- Will you walk your foster-dog/puppy at least twice daily for at least 20 minutes or more? Are you physically able to walk your foster-dog/puppy?
- Will you schedule weekend time engaging your foster-dog/puppy in fun activities?
- Are you patient and consistent with animals?
- Are you willing to follow the instructions of the Colorado Service Dogs trainers and program?
- Are you committed to making the puppy a member of your family?
- Do you have a backup plan if you are unable to care for your four-legged friend for any reason?
R.A.P. Team Application
For more information, please contact:
Lija Day (Executive Director) at 303-669-5916 or 303-622-9382. or
Sharon Davis (Training Director) at 720-249-8584
Once we receive your completed application, we will schedule an in home interview.
This interview gives you a chance to ask further questions about our puppy raiser program
and gives us the opportunity to meet you personally. After you have completed these steps,
we will review your application and notify you whether your application has been accepted.
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