NEADS volunteer Puppy Raisers play a vital role in raising future Service Dogs by providing loving homes and crucial socialization for our dogs in training. While the joy of caring for a cuddly, playful puppy is undeniable, the challenges of puppy raising are all too real. To ease some of these challenges, NEADS offers a variety of resources and support throughout the puppy raising journey. After all, it truly takes a village to raise a Service Dog in Training, and we want to be sure our volunteers have everything they need to succeed.

The NEADS Team

The cornerstone of this support system is our team of Raiser Instructors. They offer one-on-one guidance and collaborate closely with the NEADS Trainers to ensure both Puppy Raisers and Service Dogs in Training thrive. The team includes:

• Bailey Sullivan, Assistant Manager of Raiser Operations, brings seven years of NEADS experience and an animal behavior degree.
• Megan Lupinski, Raiser Instructor, is a former volunteer and has been a Raiser Instructor with NEADS for 1.5 years. She also holds an animal behavior degree.
• Jen Girardin, Raiser Instructor, was the first NEADS College Puppy Raiser while earning her animal science and psychology degree.
• Susan Nedelman, Raiser Instructor, is a former middle school teacher and Full-Time Puppy Raiser, who provides valuable insights into setting boundaries for puppies.
• Brooklyn McDonald, Raiser Instructor, recently adopted a puppy and is raising her alongside our Puppy Raisers to better understand their daily challenges.

Choosing the Program that Fits Your Life

At NEADS, we offer four diverse programs, making it easier than ever to get involved. We are dedicated to guiding and supporting you through your chosen program with the help of our Raiser Instructors and other support tailored specifically for your program. We also supply all equipment, medical care, food, and other supplies needed to raise a NEADS puppy.

Full-Time Puppy Raisers care for our pups 24/7 in their homes from 8 weeks to about 14 months of age, navigating through several adorable yet challenging developmental stages of lab puppies. Our Full-Time Puppy Raisers are supported by our team of Raiser Instructors as well as a community of volunteers that want you and your puppy to thrive! Our weekly classes allow you to meet other volunteers near you and ensure that your puppy learns basic obedience from the experts at NEADS.

In addition to our Raiser Instructors, Full-Time Raiser support includes:

• Dog Sitters – to provide flexibility. These Sitters temporarily take in puppies when their regular Puppy Raiser goes on vacation, has an emergency, or just needs a
• Puppy Raiser Ambassadors – experienced Puppy Raisers who assist Puppy Raisers between classes with Raiser Instructors. Ambassadors also assist NEADS in recruiting new Puppy Raisers, critical to expanding our program’s reach.

Team Raisers: Want to get involved, but short on time? Share the responsibility with someone to raise a puppy for 6 or 12 months! NEADS welcomes Team Raisers to apply together. This is a great way to be a part of the life of an incredible puppy that could go on to change someone’s life without giving up the things that are important to you. Team Raisers receive the same great support that our Full-Time Puppy Raisers do, but with the bonus of raising alongside someone you know.

Weekend Puppy Raisers take pups from 8 weeks to 2 years into their homes on weekends, reinforcing skills learned in prison through the Prison PUP Program and with NEADS trainers. If you’re a weekend warrior and love to stay busy, being a Weekend Puppy Raiser is the best option for you! Our Weekend Puppy Raisers enjoy having a NEADS puppy or dog as their weekend sidekick.

In addition to our Raiser Instructors, Weekend Puppy Raiser support includes:

• Weekend Dog Sitters – to provide flexibility for Puppy Raisers, allowing breaks or vacations without disrupting the Service Dog in Training’s home experience.
• Weekend Puppy Raiser Council – a group of experienced Weekend Puppy Raisers who mentor new Raisers, organize classes and field trips, offer advice, and facilitate communication between NEADS and the Raisers.
• Mentors – seasoned Puppy Raisers who offer support to new Puppy Raisers

Dog Sitters: This is a great way for people to get involved if they aren’t ready to commit to raising a puppy. Our Dog Sitters have the best job – temporarily care for and snuggle a puppy or dog while their Puppy Raiser is on vacation. No classes or socialization required!

NEADS Puppy Raisers are a dynamic and connected group of volunteers who are dedicated to changing lives with World Class Service Dogs. With guidance from NEADS Raiser Instructors and a robust support network, they can play a vital role in every NEADS dog’s journey.

College Puppy Raisers are students who raise a future Service Dog during the fall or spring term. The students have a built-in peer support system, consisting of student “pods” who all work closely together to help raise the puppy. These pods are made up of a principal Puppy Raiser; a Co-Raiser; and assigned Dog Sitters. Pods are further supported by a liaison from the college and a NEADS Instructor.

NEADS Puppy Raisers are a dynamic and connected group of volunteers who are dedicated to changing lives with World Class Service Dogs. With guidance from NEADS Raiser Instructors and a robust support network, they can play a vital role in every NEADS dog’s journey.

Support system in action. Last summer, one of our Full-Time Puppy Raisers had an incredible opportunity to visit his daughter who was doing conservation work in Africa for a month. We worked with several of our Dog Sitters to care for the Raiser’s 4-month-old Service Dog in Training. This allowed the Puppy Raiser to have a worry-free and memorable visit with his daughter. When he returned, her NEADS dog was safe, happy, and a little bigger!

NEADS Puppy Raisers are a dynamic and connected group of volunteers who are dedicated to changing lives with World Class Service Dogs. With guidance from NEADS Raiser Instructors and a robust support network, they are able to play a vital role in every NEADS dog’s journey.

Learn more about how you can help change lives by becoming a NEADS Puppy Raiser today.