Volunteer Host Homes
- Leader Dog Moms and Dads are selected to parent future Leader Dogs due to their superior characteristics:
- high potential to be an excellent dog guide
- high desire to work as a dog guide
- temperament
- size
- health
- Leader Dog Moms and Dads live in the homes of volunteer host families and are treated as indoor family pets
- Leader Dog Dads must live in Michigan; Leader Dog Moms may live outside of Michigan within an acceptable driving distance for the host home family
- Veterinary care and occasional boarding for Leader Dog Moms and Dads are provided completely free at Leader Dogs for the Blind
- Leader Dog moms birth (whelp) their puppies in host homes. Host homes are given the necessary supplies for whelping. The puppies stay in the host homes from birth to about 6 weeks of age and then are brought to Leader Dogs for the Blind by the family
- Most Leader Dog Moms are retired at seven years of age while Leader Dog Dads retire when they are about 10 years of age. Upon retirement, the host family may adopt the dog
- Leader Dog Moms and Dads do not have access rights and should not be taken into public businesses, transportation, etc.
- Leader Dog Moms and Dads remain the property of Leader Dogs for the Blind until they retire
- Leader Dogs for the Blind is always looking for volunteer host homes – especially for Leader Dog Moms
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