Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS) – which helps people with disabilities live more independent lives with the assistance of a specially trained dog at their side – is seeking volunteer puppy raisers for three new litters.
Puppy raises take an eight- to 10-week-old puppy into their homes, and attend weekly training sessions.
After about a year, the dog is returned back to PADS for advanced training and to be matched with a client.
For people with disabilities or or who are mobility or agility challenged, service dogs are trained to retrieve dropped items, turn light switches on and off, assist with shopping, push elevator buttons, carry parcels, pull wheelchairs and more.
Two of PADS’ breeding dogs, China and Santini, both recently delivered puppies, and Fossey is about to give birth.
China’s six puppies were born June 30, and the yellow and black Labradors will be ready for foster homes in a week or two.
Santini’s seven puppies arrived July 15, and will need foster home around Labour Day weekend.
Fossey’s brood – estimated at seven or eight puppies – will be arriving in the next week or so, and will be ready for puppy-raising volunteers by the end of September.
In total, up to 22 puppy raisers are needed.
Complete details of what’s involved in becoming a puppy raiser or sitter can be found online at www.pads.ca
An information seminar with be held at PADS Metro-Vancouver campus (9048 Stormont Ave. in Burnaby) Aug. 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. RSVP at www.pads.ca or call 604-527-0556.