Raise a Puppy
Raising a Future Leader Dog won’t only change someone else’s life.
It will change yours.
Do you love dogs? Are you ready to make a real difference? If you said "yes" to both these questions, raising a Future Leader Dog may be the right opportunity for you.
Puppy raisers are the backbone of our guide dog program. They give 12 to 15 months of their time, energy and love to raise a puppy for Leader Dog. Through daily care and training, puppy raisers build the foundation our puppies need to become a trusted guide dog for someone who is blind.
Puppy raising is the adventure of a lifetime, and every adventure comes with challenges and rewards. We’re here to help.
You don't need any previous experience raising a puppy to become a puppy raiser. We'll help you every step of the way. The Leader Dog puppy raising community is also a great source of support—no matter what your situation is, your fellow raisers are ready to share stories, suggestions and the latest photos of their growing puppies.
Join us on campus to find out more about the new puppy raiser options!
On Saturday, December 9, join us from 3:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m. on Leader Dog's campus for a fun, free open house-style event to discover more about the new puppy raiser options! This interactive experience will give attendees the opportunity to explore the updated program and find out more from staff and current volunteers.
Please RSVP if you're planning to attend so that we can plan for you accordingly!
Info Sessions
We offer free, online info sessions for people interested in raising a puppy. Info sessions are held the first Wednesday of every month from 5–7 p.m. If you'd like to hear from our team about what being a puppy raiser is like, please join us for an upcoming session! We'll cover this volunteer experience in detail and you are welcome to ask questions.
Making an Impact
Sandy Frick recalls, “One client told us that getting her Leader Dog was better than all the Christmas gifts she had ever gotten in her life. We’re amazed that what we thought was a small thing we could do makes such a big impact on a person’s life.” ... Read More
20 Years of Puppy Raising
Besides being a puppy raiser, Beverly has also been a puppy counselor for the last five years, and she loves helping her group raise successful Leader Dogs. "I like to encourage them because it's one of the best gifts they will give and one of the best life experiences I will ever have.". ... Read More
A Great Opportunity
Mary began volunteering after seeing an advertisement for puppy raisers. “I made the decision instantly. It was one of those ‘Why not?’ things,” says Mary. “I had dogs and loved dogs my whole life. Plus, I knew that this would be a great opportunity to help someone.” ... Read More
