Raise A Puppy

CHAMP Best Friend Gala Volunteer Raise A Puppy Puppy Raising FAQs Puppy Socialization

Thank you for your interest in becoming a puppy raiser at CHAMP! Puppy raisers are an integral part of the CHAMP model, and we could not do what we do without them. Helping an assistance dog in training achieve their higher purpose of changing someone’s life is hard work and also incredibly rewarding.

No previous experience is required to become a puppy raiser. The CHAMP staff will be there to support you every step of the way. Puppy raisers must be 18 years old. Raisers may have other friendly animals in the home (other dogs should be at least 1 year old). CHAMP’s puppy-raising program is based in the greater St. Louis area. We ask that applicants live within 50 miles of the CHAMP office.

Raise a puppy, change a life.

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What to Expect

Puppies typically go to their raiser’s homes around 8 weeks of age. It takes about 2 - 2 1⁄2 years to train an assistance or facility dog. Our puppies live with their raisers for the majority of this time, although they will spend some time with a trainer throughout the 2 years and as they work on more advanced skills.

Puppy raisers take their puppies out into the community from an early age as assistance dogs in training have full public access rights in the state of Missouri. Early socialization and exposure to a variety of environments and experiences is an important part of the development and success of our puppies.

With the guidance and support of CHAMP trainers and staff, puppy raisers assist in the training of basic skills and loose leash walking. Raisers bring their puppies to the CHAMP office every week for group and/or individual classes. Once fully vaccinated and old enough to be around other dogs of all ages, puppy raisers are also encouraged to utilize “drop off” training days where the trainers have the opportunity to work with the puppy multiple times throughout the day. As the puppy gets older, some of these training sessions may take place out in public at places like a grocery store or mall. We also encourage puppy raisers to attend group socialization outings with the trainers and other raisers.

At CHAMP, we place our assistance and facility dogs at no cost to our clients. It is because of volunteer puppy raisers that this is possible. Unlike other programs, CHAMP does not require puppy raisers to pay for food, supplies, veterinary care, and other costs associated with the care of the puppy. We do ask that raisers take the puppies to our program vet where we receive a generous discount. Any financial costs covered by puppy raisers are always greatly appreciated as it furthers our ability to achieve our mission of placing dogs with those in the community that need it most.

CHAMP puppy raisers agree to:

Support

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Puppy raisers receive support and guidance from CHAMP staff, as well as experienced puppy raisers. Some of our volunteers have raised multiple puppies over the years, and are an invaluable resource to new puppy raisers! We encourage all puppy raisers to attend scheduled socialization outings and meetings.

Interested?

Raising a future assistance or facility dog requires a tremendous amount of time and effort. It is also one of the most rewarding experiences one can undertake as CHAMP dogs truly change lives. If you would like more information, please complete the brief application below or contact CHAMP Puppy Program Manager, Jennifer Wotka, directly at jennifer.wotka@champdogs.org. We would love to hear from you!