Puppy Raising Volunteer Application Process

There are multiple roles you can fulfill as a volunteer in Guide Dogs for the Blind’s puppy raising program, including puppy club support roles (event coordinator, puppy sitting coordinator, onboarding volunteer, etc.).

To qualify as a puppy raising volunteer, a person must:

• Complete a Puppy Raising Volunteer Application for each member of the household over 9 years of age that will be actively volunteering with Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB).
• For each youth under the age of 18 in a puppy raising household who will be actively participating in volunteering, the youth’s parent(s) or guardian(s) must complete a Puppy Raising Volunteer Application, and review and agree to the Parent/Guardian Volunteer Consent and Release Guidelines. See Ensuring the Safety of Youth.

There are factors that would disqualify an applicant or returning puppy raising volunteer from raising a puppy or volunteering with GDB in general. They include, but are not limited to:

• Prior history of actions that failed to meet GDB program requirements or lack of compliance with GDB Values and Behaviors, Puppy Raising Guiding Principles, or other guidelines, policies, or procedures.
• Having people or other pets in the home who may endanger a GDB puppy.
• Inability to learn and apply dog handling skills.
• Use of non-GDB approved training techniques.

GDB commits that reasons for declining an application will be factual, and not include speculation or personal feelings.

Submitting a Puppy Raising Volunteer Application
People interested in volunteering within a puppy club are invited to attend one club activity as a guest. To continue as a GDB volunteer, a Puppy Raising Volunteer Application must be requested from the club leader prior to attending a second club activity.

Pathway to Puppy! Onboarding
In addition to completing an application, approval as a puppy sitter or a puppy raiser requires successfully completing the following (in any order):

• Completion of "Pathway to Puppy! Self-Study" online
• A virtual or in-person home visit with an introduction to any pet dogs, with no modifications to house or yard required.
• Hands-on practice with the "Pathway to Puppy! Fundamental Puppy Handling Skills," learned by:
  • Attending a "Pathway to Puppy! Workshop"
  • Attending puppy raising club activities
  • Working 1:1 or in a small group with a club leader or mentor

Once these steps are completed, volunteers can submit a Puppy Placement Questionnaire (PPQ) to receive their own guide dog puppy. You will also be asked for information on any Fundamental Support you may need. If participating in a puppy club, we highly encourage you to participate in puppy sitting opportunities before receiving a puppy. Welcoming a puppy in your home for a few days or even overnight can help you prepare for your new puppy’s arrival. On average, these steps take 2 to 4 months to complete.

People interested in volunteering in a hybrid cohort or as a satellite raiser will apply through a puppy raising field manager (PFM). See more information in Alternative Raising Models.

Every person interested in volunteering has a right to request an application and/or PPQ, even if a puppy club leader has concerns about their continuation in the program. Puppy club leaders must consult with their PFM prior to denying any volunteer application within their club.

Outside Organization Application and Screening 
Any volunteer who wishes to be concurrently enrolled in another organization (examples: 4-H, FFA) must meet all application and screening guidelines of that organization. These volunteers must contact the other entity as needed.