In this seminar, you’ll learn what it takes to be a Puppy Raiser with The Dog Alliance. We’ll talk about the joy, daily care, training, and time needed to help a puppy grow into a confident service dog. You’ll also learn how The Dog Alliance supports volunteers and how our positive, reward-based training helps each puppy learn with trust and confidence.
Some volunteers help for a weekend or short stay. Others help for the full journey, from tiny puppy to placement with a veteran at about 20–24 months old.
What we look for in a puppy raiser:
Lifestyle & Availability Flexible daytime availability to support a puppy's training and socialization schedule.
Home Environment A secure, fenced yard — puppies need safe outdoor space to thrive.
Pet Household Current dogs in the home must be at least 18 months old with no history of aggression toward other dogs.
Dog Experience Some hands-on experience with dogs — whether through shelter volunteering, rescue work, or personal training — sets you and your puppy up for success.
Training Philosophy A genuine belief in positive, relationship-based training methods, aligned with our approach.
Commitment to Learning An eagerness to learn and consistently follow service dog handling protocols. We provide the training — you bring the openness and follow-through.
Tech Comfort Comfortable using a computer or smartphone for regular communication and reporting with our team.
Our Mission We train service dogs that transform the lives of Texas veterans facing PTSD, TBI, military sexual trauma, and mobility challenges. As an ADI-accredited organization, every puppy you raise becomes part of a life-changing partnership.
Prerequisites
Age: 21 and older only.
Assistance Dogs International Disclaimer
Completion of a course/internship does not signify that the person is a qualified service/assistance dog trainer by Assistance Dogs International and the course itself is not endorsed or approved by ADI. The purpose of our program is to guide you as you train your own dog to be your service dog. The Dog Alliance is a fully accredited member of Assistance Dogs International.
Help Raise a Future Service Dog
Training and ongoing support are provided.
Whether you can foster for a few days or help raise a puppy through its first year, your time can help prepare a future service dog for a Texas veteran.
