Black puppy sitting in front of a red door wearing a red collar.

Steps to Becoming a Puppy Raiser

  1. Submit an online application

  2. Attend a SDV Puppy Raiser Class

  3. Schedule a home visit with SDV staff

  4. Receive a puppy!

Puppy Raisers

What is a Puppy Raiser?

Help lay the foundation for a future service dog—right in your own home.

Puppy Raisers are dedicated volunteers who open their hearts and homes to a service puppy in training for 12 to 16 months.* During this time, they focus on teaching basic obedience, building confidence, and exposing the puppy to the sights, sounds, and situations they’ll encounter as working service dogs.

What Puppy Raisers Do:

  • Provide a loving, stable home environment

  • Work on basic obedience and house manners

  • Support socialization through safe public outings and exposure to new environments

  • Attend weekly or biweekly training classes at our facility or designated public locations

  • Partner closely with SDV trainers to ensure consistent, effective development

 What We’re Looking For:

  • Volunteers who are 18 years or older

  • Must complete a Puppy Raising Class prior to receiving a puppy

  • Must live within commuting distance of Charlottesville, VA, or be willing to travel of weekly puppy class

Time Commitment:

  • Puppies are raised for approximately 12 to 16 months*

  • Volunteers work on socialization, basic training, and regular outings during the week. 

*We understand life can be unpredictable—shorter-term commitments may be available on a case-by-case basis.

  For more details, check out our “Puppy Raising Questions” FAQ section below.

Puppy Raising Questions

  • For Puppy Raisers, you will attend weekly training classes at our Training Center or another location, train the puppy at home in several short sessions throughout each day, and train the puppy in public as guided by SDV and the weekly lessons. We will guide you through the process every week, teaching you how to train your puppy.

  • The primary puppy raiser must be an adult 18 years of age or older. However, minors are allowed to raise with an adult living in the same home. Note: Puppies can’t attend school with children in the household.

  • It’s imperative to the puppy’s development that supervision and socialization are provided throughout every day. Puppy raisers must have prior approval to bring the puppy to the workplace.

  • Each puppy raiser goes through an orientation process and is given a manual, puppy starter kit, puppy classes and online resources. We also provide ongoing staff support to each puppy raiser via phone, e-mail or in-person follow-up.

  • The puppy is between 8 weeks- 4 months of age.

  • Typically dogs begin advanced training when they turned 1. Some dogs may start advanced training as late as 15 months.