Volunteer

Help In Other Ways
Do you have a puppy you think we should consider raising to be a service dog? Or do you have an idea of another way to helping? Contact us!

Puppy Raising
Of all the gifts you could give to help veterans--this is an enormous gift. If you have ever seen a service dog working in public and wondered, “How do they get the dog that well trained? I wish my dog was that well behaved!” The foundation to a service dog becoming well trained begins with someone like you. It starts when a dog is placed with a puppy raiser for 6 to 8 months, learning basic obedience and other skills.
Raising an All American Assistance Dogs puppy is truly a labor of love and involves a tremendous commitment — of time, labor and your heart. This offering to one of our nation’s Veterans would be priceless. It is difficult to express what a service dog means to his/her partner, and what your contribution to that person’s life would be. If you have ever had a dog of your own, you know the special bond you achieve with a beloved pet. Imagine if that dog was your lifeline as well as your companion! Your gift of puppy-raising could make that happen for one of our heroes. Will you open your home and your heart to an All American Assistance Dogs puppy?
In order for All American Assistance Dogs to provide service dogs to veterans with PTSD or traumatic brain injuries, we need someone like you with the dedication and love to raise the puppy and train it in the basics.
If you think you might be interested and live in the Seattle metro area (preferably south King or Pierce County) please read the rest of the information below and then click on the link to sign up to volunteer.
Information On Puppy Raising
How long does the puppy stay with us?
The puppy will generally live with the puppy raiser home for 6 to 8 months.
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Potty training -
Taking the puppy to three obedience courses (each course is 6 weeks long, one evening a week, at a facility of AAADogs choice in Federal Way – of course All American Assistance Dogs pays for the course fees)
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Exposing the puppy to various settings, individuals and situations that, at a minimum, follow the list provided by AAADogs
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Exercising the puppy – typically 60 minutes a day
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Daily practicing training course skills and teaching new skills as set forth by AAADogs
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Playing with the dog daily for mental stimulation
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Bathing and grooming the dog as needed
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Accommodate weekly home visits by the AAADogs trainer / evaluator and frequent emails / phone calls / texts, etc., especially in the first month the puppy is in the puppy raiser home
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Puppy socialization around other dogs, under the guidance of the AAADogs trainer / evaluator
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Accommodate a weekly visit (several hours long) by the veteran whose service dog this puppy will become for their bonding
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The puppy raiser family should have had a dog in the past they raised from a puppy and that they trained to be well behaved.
I have not had a puppy in a long time or ever
1. Puppies pee every 20-30 minutes and poop within 30 minutes of eating. By taking the puppy out within these times and enabling the puppy to succeed, you will quicken the potty training process and will make you, your family and the puppy happier.
What is the financial commitment?
What does AAADogs provide for the puppy raising?
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The puppy
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Collar and leashes
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Service dog in training vest
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Dog brush / comb
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Dog food (initial and subsequent)
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Dog bowls
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Dog bed
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Medical care (must be coordinated through the AAADogs evaluator / trainer, unless an emergency)
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Advice and the ability to always contact someone if there are questions or issues you want to talk about (the AAADogs trainer will initially talk with you at least several times a week during the first several weeks the young puppy is in your home, then weekly as part of home visits and training sessions for the entire time the service dog-in-training is in your home.
What kind of dog will the puppy be?
More than one type of dog becomes Service Dogs through AAADogs. Most typically the dog will be a large dog, and usually a Labrador or Golden Retriever. However, other dogs may be selected by AAADogs for inclusion in the program. Note that the dog is more typical than not a female and is unneutered until they are 6-8 months old. They they will be spayed, while still at the puppy raiser home (cost of spaying paid by All American Assistance Dogs).
What is a suitable home environment for a puppy raiser home?