Puppy Raising

What is a Puppy Raiser?

Puppy Raisers are the individuals primarily responsible for the care of a Canine Companions puppy during their time in the puppy-raising program. Puppy raisers receive the puppy at 8 weeks of age, and are responsible for all training and socialization prior to the puppy's return to California for Professional Training after about a year and a half.

Puppy Raising is a volunteer role, and Raisers are fully financially responsible for vet expenses, food, and preventatives, although Collar Scholars works to assist with these expenses.

How do I become a Puppy Raiser?

For current sitters, your status of each requirement can be viewed in a spreadsheet found on the Sitter Resources page. All club members are welcome to reach out to an officer regarding their status.

Requirements to Apply:

Complete the Involvement Interest Form.
- This indicates you are interested in moving forward with the raising process, and intend to fulfill the necessary requirements.

Complete the Sitter Certification process and 45 hours of puppy sitting experience (or 35 hours + an overnight shift).
- This ensures you have experience handling and working with a Canine Companions puppy.
- See the Get Involved page for more info on how to become a puppy sitter.

Complete 5 non-sitting volunteer hours.
- Specific opportunities will be advertised throughout the semester, but may include things such as assisting with tabling, contributing to fundraising or social media efforts, or crafts benefiting puppy raisers and service dog recipients.

Fill out the club's Prospective Raiser worksheet. This can be done at any time following sitter certification.
- This worksheet walks prospective raisers through the reality of puppy raising, and helps the club ensure that applicants are adequately prepared for this responsibility.
- Once completed, a member of the officer team will read responses and evaluate whether a follow-up meeting is needed.
- Detailed instructions can be found on the document linked within Sitter Resources.

Attend a Prospective Raiser Social prior to receiving a puppy.
- Those hoping to raise a puppy are expected to attend a Prospective Raiser Social-- these events are a way for current and past raisers to share their experiences and answer questions, and for prospective raisers to gain a more comprehensive view of the raising process.

Be living in approved housing at the time of receiving and raising the puppy
- Puppies are not allowed in dorms or sorority/fraternity homes.
- Reach out to the officer team with questions about eligible housing!

Complete all Canine Companions requirements.
- Application Request Form
- Written application
- Phone interview (with CC staff)
- Home visit (facilitated by club officer or chapter member)

Sign club pantry and raising agreements. An officer will reach out with information about these upon approval from Canine Companions.

Puppy Raising

What is a Puppy Raiser?

How do I become a Puppy Raiser?

For current sitters, your status of each requirement can be viewed in a spreadsheet found on the Sitter Resources page. All club members are welcome to reach out to an officer regarding their status.​

​

Requirements to Apply:

Complete the Involvement Interest Form.

This indicates you are interested in moving forward with the raising process, and intend to fulfill the necessary requirements.

​​​

Complete the Sitter Certification process and 45 hours of puppy sitting experience (or 35 hours + an overnight shift).

This ensures you have experience handling and working with a Canine Companions puppy.

See the Get Involved page for more info on how to become a puppy sitter.​

​

​Complete 5 non-sitting volunteer hours.

​Specific opportunities will be advertised throughout the semester, but may include things such as assisting with tabling, contributing to fundraising or social media efforts, or crafts benefiting puppy raisers and service dog recipients.

​

Fill out the club's Prospective Raiser worksheet. This can be done at any time following sitter certification.

This worksheet walks prospective raisers through the reality of puppy raising, and helps the club ensure that applicants are adequately prepared for this responsibility.

Once completed, a member of the officer team will read responses and evaluate whether a follow-up meeting is needed.

Detailed instructions can be found on the document linked within Sitter Resources.​

​

Attend a Prospective Raiser Social prior to receiving a puppy.

Those hoping to raise a puppy are expected to attend a Prospective Raiser Social-- these events are a way for current and past raisers to share their experiences and answer questions, and for prospective raisers to gain a more comprehensive view of the raising process.

​

Be living in approved housing at the time of receiving and raising the puppy

Puppies are not allowed in dorms or sorority/fraternity homes.

Reach out to the officer team with questions about eligible housing!

​

Complete all Canine Companions requirements.

Application Request Form

Written application

Phone interview (with CC staff)

Home visit (facilitated by club officer or chapter member)

​

Sign club pantry and raising agreements. An officer will reach out with information about these upon approval from Canine Companions. ​

For current sitters, your status of each requirement can be viewed in a spreadsheet found on the Sitter Resources page. All club members are welcome to reach out to an officer regarding their status.

See the Get Involved page for more info on how to become a puppy sitter.

Complete 5 non-sitting volunteer hours.

Specific opportunities will be advertised throughout the semester, but may include things such as assisting with tabling, contributing to fundraising or social media efforts, or crafts benefiting puppy raisers and service dog recipients.

Detailed instructions can be found on the document linked within Sitter Resources.

Sign club pantry and raising agreements. An officer will reach out with information about these upon approval from Canine Companions.