Dogs for Better Lives Puppy Raising Program - Lewiston, ME

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Looking for an exciting volunteer opportunity that will change lives? Dogs for Better Lives is seeking Puppy Raisers in your area! Puppy raisers help build strong foundations for our puppies who have the potential to become future Assistance Dogs.

As a raiser you will gain the training and skills needed to raise successful puppies. Our raisers attend training classes, teach our puppies basic obedience and good manners, provide a safe home environment, and help expose the puppy to a multitude of different environments, people, surfaces, and other stimuli.

Our puppy raisers receive a puppy at eight (8) weeks of age and continue to raise the puppy until it is between 14 to 16 months of age, when the puppy is ready to return to Dogs for Better Lives to begin their next step towards becoming an Assistance Dog.

By raising a puppy for Dogs for Better Lives, you will become a part of a team dedicated to helping others. Changing the life of a family in need to live a more independent lifestyle with the help of the assistance dog you helped raise.

Puppy Raisers should -

• Have no more than two dogs, and they must be over two years old.
• Have the ability to attend all puppy classes.
• Be willing to learn from our trainers and use our methods of training.
• Have the time to dedicate to raising a foster puppy.
• Have patience and understanding.
• Previous experience with puppies is a plus!

Join us in our mission to change lives for the better! For more information, please visit our web page at: www.dogsforbetterlives.org/get-involved or email puppyraising@dogsforbetterlives.org

"Best volunteer experience ever. The DBL team was so warm and welcoming, helping me with every obstacle while puppy raising. The trainers lead with kindness and compassion, encouraging the best in both dog and human handler. Every training plan is personalized according to the pup's personality, strengths, and challenges, all in the hopes that each dog will one day become a great Assistance Dog."

-DBL Puppy Raiser