Warrior Canine Connection is a non-profit organization which breeds, raises and trains dogs with the assistance of Veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), or mobility issues. Our headquarters is located in Boyds, MD, but we have a site at Penn in Philadelphia, Pa. These dogs are eventually placed as service dogs for Wounded Warriors, military family support dogs, or facility dogs for Veteran Organizations. We are actively seeking volunteers to serve as Puppy Parents for future service dogs in training.
For the duration of their training, WCC pups live in Puppy Parent homes. In addition to any training the dogs do with Warriors, they are constantly working on their skills in a home environment and at training sessions at WCC and are taken on weekly outings to public places where they learn to use their training in real-life situations.
Puppy Parents raise our service dogs for 4 to 20 months before the dogs graduate and are placed with their forever Veteran. To be considered for this important task, you must be willing and able to provide the following support and training for the WCC service dog in training:
- Provide a stable, safe, consistent and loving environment
- Provide the dog with access to new places, new people and new experiences
- Supervise the dog throughout the day
- Teach the dog manners and basic commands
- Keep the dog on a leash at all times or supervised in a securely fenced area
- Closely monitor the dog’s progress and submit monthly reports
- Attend weekly training classes, including social outings that build skills and confidence
- Provide the dog with age-appropriate socialization opportunities
- Ensure that the WCC dog is the only dog under the age of one in your home
- Agree to return the dog upon request
- Transport the dog to the veterinarian when necessary
- Depending on program location, you may be required to drop off/pick up the dog at the training office during the workweek.
*Some locations require the puppy parent to take the service dog in training to work.
Click here to learn more: http://www.warriorcanineconnection.org/get-involved/become-a-puppy-parent/
or complete the following application: https://warriorcanineconnection.tfaforms.net/4806453
This is a big commitment, but we offer flexibility. We often need puppy starters who can commit to raising the puppy from 8 weeks to 6 months of age. Also, you can think about raising as a team, such as a child/parent team or 2 colleagues/friends who will share in the commitment.
