How Does It Work
As a volunteer “foster family” you will be teaching the puppy about love, trust, bravery, basic obedience, and socialization. Whether you are a local to Murreita, CA or anywhere in the United States, you’ll take your pup just about everywhere you go: to movies, church, theme parks, bowling, restaurants, stores and malls. You’ll use public transportation like buses, trains, and airplanes. They can go with you on vacations. You’ll expose them to all the things they could encounter as a working service dog, so they become confident and comfortable in any situation.
Puppies are constantly learning during their first year of life! You’ll enjoy attending our specialized training classes and outings along with other Puppy Raisers in order to learn to teach your puppy basic obedience commands like sit, down, stay, heel, and come.
Becoming a volunteer Puppy Raiser for a future service dog is a 15 to 18 month-long commitment of time, energy, and love. Every day through care and training, Puppy Raisers provide the critical foundation that puppies need to begin formal service dog training. There are few things in this world more heart-warming than seeing your puppy work seamlessly with its disabled handler knowing that you’ve given someone a level of independence that she or he did not have before.
What to Expect
The Journey
You'll Take Together
Every puppy's journey is life-changing. Yours included
Week 17
Puppy Comes Home
Your puppy joins your home and your journey begins.
Months 4-6
Socialization
Introduce your puppy to the world and build confidence.
Months 6-12
Training & Reinforcement
Continue training and reinforcing good behaviors.
12-18 Months
Turn-In & Graduation
Your puppy becomes a life changing service dog.
How to Become A Puppy Raiser
Here’s what you need to know to get started as a CST Puppy Raiser.
What CST Responsible For
Da2pp & Bordetella
Reimbursement of spay/neuter up to a certain amount (To be discussed upon placement)
Training equipment
Provide tools for raisers to be successful
Provide monthly flea/tick medications
Provide microchip
Monthly Heartworm
What A Puppy Raiser is Responsible For
Provide routine veterinary care as your generous contribution to your puppy's health and development. Any extraordinary or unexpected medical expenses will be covered by The Marti Fund with prior approval from Canine Support Teams.
Have your puppy spayed or neutered and receive its rabies vaccination at the appropriate time, following CST's guidance.
Please contact CST before scheduling non-routine veterinary visits or taking your puppy on overnight trips so we can provide support and guidance.
Participate in at least six Puppy Raiser outings each year to help your puppy gain valuable experiences and socialize with the CST community.
Attend at least two group training classes each month to build your puppy's skills and confidence.
Let CST know if you're unable to take your puppy with you so we can help arrange appropriate care or boarding if needed.
Feed a high-quality diet to support your puppy's health, growth, and success.
Keep your puppy healthy by administering monthly flea, tick, and heartworm prevention.
Submit a brief monthly progress report so our trainers can celebrate successes and provide guidance when needed.
When your puppy completes its raising journey, return it to CST with current vaccinations, medical records, and all program materials so it can begin advanced training.
Provide regular public outings each week to help your puppy become confident in a variety of real-world environments, and let our training team know promptly if you notice any behavioral concerns so we can support you every step of the way.
Tax Benefits
As a volunteer Puppy Raiser most, if not all, of your expenses are tax deductible. CST is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, please refer to your tax consultant for detailed information about deductions.
Programs & Events To Assist
Puppy Raisers are supported by our Canine Support Teams Dog Training staff who arrange monthly events in a variety of settings and provide tips on care, grooming, training and manners. In addition, we offer specialized obedience classes at the CST facility.
How to Get Started
CST welcomes ALL applicants from around the United States. All first-time applicants are asked to fill out a Puppy Raiser Application and will be interviewed before a puppy is placed in the home. We prefer that our raisers live in the Southern California area, but exceptions might be made under special circumstances. Children and pets in the household are a plus!
If you are not local to Southern California you can still raise a puppy. You can attend local training classes (approved by one of our trainers) and we can provide a list of suggested activites to support the puppy's socialization progress. Ask us about potential reimbursement for those classes. The most important trait of puppy raisers is the dedication to provide daily care to a puppy and consistency in its socializing and training. If you decide to open your home to a puppy, you will receive a Puppy Raising Manual to help you prepare for life with your future service dog.
CST Lives Changes Forever
What they’re saying
This is your Testimonial quote. Give your customers the stage to tell the world how great you are!
This is your Testimonial quote. Give your customers the stage to tell the world how great you are!
This is your Testimonial quote. Give your customers the stage to tell the world how great you are!
Puppy Raise with Canine Support Teams
Becoming a puppy raiser with Canine Support Teams is where every life-changing partnership begins.
In this video, see what it takes to raise a future service dog—from early training and socialization to preparing these incredible dogs for their next chapter helping a veteran or individual with a disability.
Puppy raisers play a critical role in the journey, providing the foundation that allows each dog to grow into a confident, capable, and compassionate service partner.
I am on my 6th puppy with Canine Support Teams. The work that CST does and the support they provide the puppy raisers is second to none. I would recommend joining CST as a puppy raiser!
- Current CST Puppy Raiser
