Canine Companions - Charlotte Volunteer Chapter

Raise a Future Service Dog to assist someone with a disability by becoming a Puppy Raiser with Canine Companions, the largest and oldest provider of service dogs in the country. The Charlotte Area chapter is looking for volunteer puppy raisers to guide expertly bred golden retriever/labrador retrievers from 8 weeks of age until they are 1 ½ years old, when they go to 6 months of professional training. The Service Dogs are provided to individuals with disabilities free of charge. The Charlotte Chapter is a group of local puppy raisers that will provide training classes, mentorship, and support throughout the entire process. Some of the chapter members have raised over 12 puppies and have been involved for over 20 years with Canine Companions.

Families, tweens, and teens are perfect puppy raisers and find that it impacts their lives as much as the Future Service Dog changes a life for someone with a disability. And, yes, one can give them up. Many long-time puppy raisers answer this question by saying, "This puppy has a bigger purpose to go on to help someone with a disability. This is more than one's personal interest. These puppies will make a difference in the world." Puppy Raising can be worked into many aspects of the homeschooling curriculum, from writing skills; photography, film and art projects; learning to make public presentations; and even science and math. Most of all, Puppy Raising builds responsibility, empathy, and commitment. Please reach out to the chapter on their Facebook Page: Charlotte Volunteer Chapter - Canine Companions.