PADS Is Now Recruiting Puppy-Raisers!

Remember those therapy dogs coming to SFU during exam period last semester? They came from PADS, the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society! PADS is a Not-For-Profit organization that provides assistant dogs to people with disabilities. Coming to SFU is just a part of their dogs’ training process. Martin Mroz, Director of SFU Health and Counselling Services, said that bringing puppies on campus not only helps students in distress, but also give the dogs experience communicating with people.

Now, PADS is recruiting for volunteers to look after their dogs! Being in the Raiser Program is a great opportunity to gain volunteer experience, help people with disabilities, and have fun. Also, taking care of little dogs can help with stress from work and your studies. It is like having dog therapy every day!   

Being a Puppy Raiser is tons of fun! From the time a puppy goes to live with the Raiser at the age of 8-10 weeks until the time it returns to advanced training at 14 months, the Puppy-Raiser is part of the wonderful process of placing a graduate dog with a PADS client. Dogs have to follow the Raiser everywhere in order to learn how to socialize and obey orders. PADS is always calling for more Puppy-Raisers!

Alternatively, if you are looking to keep the dog for a shorter term, you can apply to be a Puppy-Sitter who takes care of PADS dogs for anywhere from three weeks to three months until they are assigned to a Raiser. This is also an important time in the puppies’ lives to receive socialization in a home environment.

Volunteering as a Puppy-Raiser or Puppy-Sitter is a great way to have fun while helping people with disabilities at the same time. I highly suggest adopting a PADS dog for for a year or a few weeks. Basic quailifcations include:

1. You must live in BC
2. You must not have more than three dogs
3. You must attend weekly obedience classes

For more information, please visit: http://www.pads.ca/support-pads/volunteer/raise-a-puppy/#sthash.ulMc6yru.dpbs       

Photo: PADS Puppy "Cedar," courtesy of PADS