Service Dog Raisers Needed in DC, VA, MD and NC

Madison, VA, June 22, 2017 (Newswire.com) - ​​The Dalai Lama said, “The root of happiness is altruism — the wish to be of service to others.” If being involved in service to others is a wish you have, then Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers, a 501c3 non-profit organization based in Madison, Virginia, may have a perfect vehicle for you. Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers (SDW) is seeking business professionals, teachers, and health care providers in the areas of Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina to be a part of its Puppy Raiser Program designed to assist the Organization in the vital work it does. For almost a decade, Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers (SDWR) has been providing service dogs to people with “invisible disabilities” such as Diabetes, Autism, Seizure Disorders, and PTSD. With almost 600 dogs placed, SDWR service dogs are working across the United States and around the world helping adults and children who face the daily challenges of living with a disability. At the present time, SDWR has close to 400 families waiting to receive an amazing service dog. The organization works exclusively with Labradors and Golden Retrievers.

Every working service dog starts as a puppy that needs a loving home. A Puppy Raiser can provide that home and change a life in the process. Puppy Raisers receive their puppy when it is approximately four months old after the puppy has received necessary vaccinations. The puppy usually remains with the Raiser nine to 18 months. The length of time varies depending on the individual puppy’s development or the organization’s need for dogs.

The Puppy Raiser goals for each pup are clearly defined by SDWR and training to help the Raiser is provided through the organization’s training staff.  There are certain requirements set up to establish the safety of the puppy while in the Raiser’s home and a detailed FAQ on the program is available on the SDWR website http://www.sdwr.org/volunteer-opportunities. A Puppy Raiser is expected to teach their puppy good behavior both at home and in public and to give their puppy experiences in this busy world. The Puppy Raiser’s goal is to develop energetic and curious pups into mature, dependable dogs that are well-behaved, exposed to a wide variety of people, places and things, and accepting of new situations in a calm manner. The program may sound like a lot to take on but the organization is there for its volunteer every step of the way. Each Puppy Raiser goes through an orientation process and is given training support as well as ongoing staff support via phone, e-mail, or in-person follow-up.

Testimonials from SDWR families describing the life-saving services rendered by their dogs give staff, Board, volunteers and donors a great amount of joy and satisfaction in knowing the real differences these dogs make each and every day. The program not only increases awareness of invisible disabilities but it also gives the volunteer Puppy Raiser the same joy and satisfaction the SDWR team receives each day.

Professionals, teachers, health care providers have the unique opportunity to use their time in this volunteer program to enhance their work environment and experiences with the people they serve. Imagine going in to a board or sales meeting with a beautiful and spirited little puppy-in-training! Or, as a health care provider visiting with patients who could benefit from “warm puppy breath” and a few happy licks! For teachers who are born with the need to provide teachable moments to others, imagine the firsthand knowledge gained from having a puppy-in-training in the classroom. Service dogs-in-training have public access rights through the Americans with Disabilities Act and through additional laws passed in each state. SDWR can help you navigate these laws so that you and your puppy-in-training can go through a typical work day together — from the hospital or classroom, to the board room and beyond. Puppies-in-training can accompany you to restaurants, board and fly on planes with you, visit the local grocery store and much more. These are all incredibly valuable experiences for puppies-in-training.

If service to others is a part of your mission, join the SDWR family and its mission “Until there’s a cure, there’s a dog.”

To learn more about SDWR, please visit the website, http://www.sdwr.org. To find out how to volunteer to serve as a puppy raiser please visit http://www.sdwr.org/volunteer-opportunities.

Source: Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers