Raise a Puppy
NEADS is always seeking Puppy Raisers, families who open their homes to one of our amazing puppies in training. Puppy raiser opportunities include Weekend Puppy Sitters and Weekend Puppy Raisers, as well as Full-Time Puppy Raisers (a more limited program).
Weekend Puppy Sitters, Weekend Puppy Raisers, Full-Time Puppy Raisers
Which role is right for me?
Weekend Puppy Sitters
- Pick up/Drop off: NEADS Campus, Princeton
- Commitment: 1 weekend per month
- Dog: Different puppy each weekend you volunteer
- Classes: N/A
- Socialization:
- Training:
- Application: Program currently full
Weekend Puppy Raisers
- Pick up/Drop off: Prison
- Commitment: 3 weekends/month for 12-18 months
- Dog: Same dog every weekend from same prison
- Classes: 1 class/month taught by the Puppy Program Assistant
- Socialization: 4-6 field trips per weekend, guided by NEADS socialization protocols
- Training: Maintain the obedience that the dog has learned in prison
- Application: Online
Full-Time Puppy Raisers
- Pick up/Drop off: N/A
- Commitment: 12-16 months of having the NEADS dog full-time
- Dog: Same dog 24/7
- Classes: In the beginning, 2x/week at or around NEADS. This reduces to 1x/week over time
- Socialization: Dog accompanies you as part of your daily routine, guided by NEADS socialization protocols.
- Training: Works with NEADS staff to implement training
- Application: Online