Volunteer to Raise a Service Dog Puppy

Join our dedicated team of puppy raisers and help shape the future of a service dog.

Register Now

Make a Difference, One Paw at a Time

Why Volunteer as a Puppy Raiser?

Raising a service dog puppy is more than just a volunteer opportunity—it’s a chance to transform a life. Whether you commit to a weekend or the full journey, your dedication will help a puppy grow into a well-trained service dog, ready to assist a veteran in need. It’s a rewarding experience that leaves a lasting impact on both you and the person who will rely on this incredible dog.

What to Expect as a Puppy Raiser

  • Care for and socialize a service dog puppy from 8 weeks old.
  • Attend regular training sessions to ensure the puppy’s progress.
  • Provide a loving home for the puppy, either for a weekend or up to 20 months.
  • Support the puppy through key developmental stages with guidance from our expert trainers.
  • Improve your own skills as a dog trainer.

Ready to Learn More? Attend Our Seminar

Before you begin your journey as a puppy raiser, we require you to attend a puppy raising seminar that covers everything you need to know. From the joy of welcoming a puppy into your home to the work involved in their training, this seminar will equip you with the knowledge and support you’ll need.

Attend Seminar

Meet experienced puppy raisers and learn from their stories.

Gain a clear understanding of your role and responsibilities

Learn about the laws governing service dog rights.

Real Stories, Real Impact

Testimonials from Our Volunteers

  • "My dog, Rex, and I joined The Dog Alliance in 2015. We were a Registered Therapy team for The Dog Alliance for 4 years; visiting hospitals and nursing homes. Even though Rex has passed, I continue to volunteer for TDA because their vision inspires me. They have taught me so much about dogs and our relationships to them. 

    TDA has many facets which anyone with a dog can join; agility, obedience training, summer camp for kids, etc. They also have an incredible program called Hounds For Heroes. Our Veterans with PTSD can adopt a trained dog to help them with the issues they have. I am so honoured to be a part of this program helping to raise puppies to their potential as Service dogs. 

    The staff and founder of this organization are nothing less than amazing. They put their hearts and souls into each dog and are so appreciative of every single person that helps. The Dog Alliance is an organization worthy of high admiration for their knowledge, community outreach, and especially for their love of dogs."
    Writer
    Greatnonprofits.org
  • My family has been participating with the Dog Alliance for years. . My daughter took a dog camp with Susan Windham when my daughter was only nine years old. Years later, Susan is still there. We have been consistently impressed with Susan's kindness to dogs and humans, and my daughter took camp with Susan several times. 

    When she was older, my daughter took regular dog training classes with the Dog Alliance for her chihuahua mix. (at least five classes, maybe more, all were excellent) My daughter and her dog especially loved the agility classes with Kathleen Reish. Now, years later, my daughter has been able to volunteer at the Dog Alliance at the camps and on outings. We are also raising a puppy who will some day be a service dog. 

    When you walk in the door, you may be greeted by Neenah at the front desk - a delightful, kind, professional woman who started at the Dog Alliance as a volunteer and liked it so much she got a job at the Dog Alliance. 

    Our experience as puppy raisers and volunteers has been excellent. Susan (the wonderful camp teacher) has been absolutely incredible and supportive for our dog and for our daughter. Debi Kraker, the executive director, is an exceptional dog trainer and administrator - Debi is kind, knowledgeable, and effective. 

    We had a rough time for a few weeks when our service dog in training puppy and our daughter got sick at the same time. Susan Windham met us after hours, and took our foster puppy from us get the puppy healthy and we could take care of our daughter. Susan figured out what was wrong with our foster puppy (food allergy) and helped us by providing the resources needed to support our foster puppy's health."
    inezyv
    Greatnonprofits.org
  • "The people I have worked with at the Dog Alliance have shown a true drive to accomplish their mission of using dogs to improve the lives of many of the most vulnerable people in our communities, and I am happy to have been able to contribute to those goals."
    RazorKrakar
    Greatnonprofits.org

Are you ready to change a life? 

Register Today

Frequently Asked Questions

To become a puppy raiser, you need to be at least 18 years old, have a stable home environment, and be able to dedicate time to the puppy's care and training. You don’t need prior experience with dog training, as we provide all the guidance you’ll need.

The time commitment varies depending on whether you’re raising the puppy for a weekend or for up to 20 months. You’ll need to be available for daily care, socialization outings at least twice a month in Cedar Park, and weekly regular training sessions at our Cedar Park campus. We’ll work with your schedule to make this experience as flexible as possible.

We provide comprehensive support, including training sessions with professional trainers, access to resources and materials, and ongoing guidance throughout the puppy’s development. You’ll never feel alone in this journey, as our team is here to help every step of the way.

No prior experience is required. Our program is designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background. We provide all the training and resources you’ll need to successfully raise a service dog puppy. Inexperienced handlers typically start by attending classes and working with a dog that has already received basic training.

If you find yourself unable to continue as a puppy raiser, please contact us as soon as possible. We will arrange for another volunteer to take over the puppy’s care to ensure its continued progress and well-being.

The puppy will go through basic obedience training, socialization, and specialized task training needed for their future role as a service dog. You’ll be guided by our trainers to ensure the puppy meets all the necessary milestones.

Still Have Questions? We're Here to Help!

If you have any more questions or need further information, don’t hesitate to Contact Us.