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A golden retriever puppy wearing a blue bandanna that says Future Leader Dog

Raise a Puppy

Green circle with a white puppy icon insideRaising 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.

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.

Join An Upcoming Orientation

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Info sessions are typically the 1st Wednesday of every month. Dates through the end of 2024 are listed.
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