Learn More About Puppy Raising

Volunteer With ACTS
Volunteers are at the heart of ACTS. From raising puppies to supporting training and daily operations, volunteers play a vital role in preparing future service and facility dogs.

Puppy Raisers provide a safe, structured home and help build the foundation for each dog’s future work.

A woman with long dark hair smiling and a golden retriever puppy with floppy ears sitting at a desk in an office.
Person cuddling a light brown dog that is sleeping with its head resting on the person's chest and wearing a blue shirt.

Short vs. Long Term Puppy Raising

Short Term Puppy Raising

  • 2-6 month time commitment

  • Generally, paired with a puppy that is ~8-10 weeks old

  • Possibility open to become long term puppy raiser

Long Term Puppy Raising

  • 18-24 month time commitment, varies depending on age of dog when paired

  • May be paired with either a puppy or an older dog

An elderly woman and a man are holding a yellow puppy close to each other, touching noses, in an outdoor setting with a parked vehicle and a building in the background.

General Information

A girl smiling while holding a yellow Labrador puppy against a purple background.

ACTS - Assistance Canine Training Services raises and trains service dogs for people with mobility disabilities and for facilities that use dogs for animal assisted therapy. ACTS is a volunteer driven organization and at the center of the program are the puppy raisers.

Puppy raisers commit up to two years to the socialization and training of a puppy. They generally receive puppies at the age of eight weeks, although occasionally puppy raisers may receive older puppies. The commitment involves a willingness to learn, spend time in training classes, spend time socializing the puppy in public places, and a great deal of heart.

Puppies live in puppy raiser homes as a part of the family. They must learn how to behave both at home and out in public. Training and socialization are very important and raisers must be willing to work with puppies using the guidelines set forth by ACTS.

We consider puppy raising to be not only an individual endeavor, but also a group project. We practice in group classes and puppy raisers are encouraged to enjoy the company and assistance of other raisers by practicing in teams or in small groups.  Each ACTS volunteer is considered an important part of every graduating team whether they were the puppy raiser or not. Everyone is invited to attend graduation and celebrate.

Sometimes our puppies let us know that they are not suited for service dog or facility therapy dog work, in which case they may be placed in an alternative career or as Dream Dogs with appropriate families. Our ACTS family is proud of all of our dogs and we celebrate that they end up where they are meant to be.

Puppy raising can be one of the most fulfilling volunteer opportunities available. Seeing how the life of an individual can be changed by a dog is an amazing experience. In addition to the joy that is seen in the end-product, puppy raisers grow and learn in their dog training skills. They create new and often long-lasting friendships. They meet and work with some wonderful dogs. And finally, there is that feeling that can only come from giving of yourself and your time to others.

  • Puppy raisers must be at least 15 years of age.

  • No prior experience is required. We provide on the job training!

  • Puppy raisers are NOT responsible for expenses relating to dog food, flea/tick/heartworm prevention, and veterinary care.

  • Puppy raisers ARE responsible for expenses such as treats, toys, grooming supplies, and other various expenses.

A man in a gray beanie and black jacket holding a black puppy with snow on its fur, while a woman with blonde hair and a blue jacket laughs at them outdoors with snowy trees and a car in the background.
Senior woman holding a black puppy outdoors in a park

Puppy Raiser Requirements

  • The puppy raiser is required to read and follow the guidelines outlined in the Puppy Raiser Handbook and in the Volunteer Handbook

  • The puppy raiser is required to complete all the volunteer paperwork including but not limited to: Release Form, Emergency Contact Form, Commitment, Code of Ethics, Acknowledgement of Receipt of Volunteer Handbook.

  • The puppy raiser is required to complete the A+ Puppy Program by attending one session each week for the first eight weeks as arranged by the A+ Puppy Program Trainer. Training takes place at our training center in Center Conway, NH and field trips are primarily in the greater Mount Washington Valley area.

  • The puppy raiser is required to attend at least four training classes and/or field trips each month. Training takes place at our training center in Center Conway, NH and field trips are primarily in the greater Mount Washington Valley area.

  • The puppy raiser is required to complete progress reports monthly.

  • The puppy raiser is required to keep a calendar of activities and field trips to be turned in monthly with progress reports.

  • The puppy raiser is required to take the puppy to all necessary veterinary appointments at the assigned veterinary hospital.

  • The puppy raiser is responsible for costs associated with treats, toys, beds, grooming tools, general first aid, bowls, poop bags, and other various expenses.

  • The puppy raiser understands that dogs can be destructive and that ACTS is not responsible for any damage caused by the dog while under their care.

  • The puppy raiser understands that ACTS will provide food for the puppy, and that raisers can provide food only as it conforms to the ACTS guidelines.

  • The puppy raiser understands that ACTS can sometimes assist in providing grooming, particularly for poodles, but that grooming is not always provided for other breeds.

  • The puppy raiser is responsible for providing a safe environment, free from any dangers.

  • The puppy raiser is responsible for providing the appropriate exercise and training.

  • The puppy raiser agrees to keep the puppy on leash unless in a safe area far from any danger of vehicles or distractions that may cause the puppy to run out of control.

  • The puppy raiser agrees NOT to tie out, tether, or put their ACTS puppy on a run.

  • The puppy raiser understands that the puppy is the property of ACTS and as such any decisions regarding the puppy’s care, training, and volunteer placement, are the sole responsibility of ACTS and its agents.

  • The puppy raiser understands that should the puppy be released from the program their ACTS puppy will be adopted into a suitable home and that it is NOT the policy of ACTS. to adopt puppies to their raisers.

  • The puppy raiser understands that this volunteer opportunity involves from a six month up to a two-year commitment and is willing to complete the time commitment selected when applying to be a puppy raiser.

Apply to Be a Puppy Raiser
Learn About Puppy Raising at UVM
A woman kneeling on snow, touching noses with a black dog in a snowy outdoor setting with trees in the background.
A woman holding a black puppy while indoors at a training facility.
An elderly woman with gray hair and glasses, wearing a blue plaid shirt and a blue vest, smiling and holding a yellow Labrador puppy outside in a snowy landscape with trees and a car in the background.