Mercer University
Puppy Raiser Program
Our focus is to place our dogs within the State of Georgia before providing to other areas of the country. It is very likely that if you raise a puppy through our program that you will directly impact Georgia Communities and Residents. We are partnered with a Macon Charity, Navicent Foundation which has a Facility Dog Program within Macon. It is possible that the puppy you raise may one day become part of the Navicent Foundation Facility Dog Team.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE APPLYING TO BECOME A PUPPY RAISER:
To raise the best service and facility dogs, we have defined a strict set of methods, practices, and protocols that we require our Puppy Raisers to follow. Anyone can learn our methods, regardless of your training experience. A willingness to provide consistency, repetition, and positive reinforcement are all that is required. We will teach you these training methods through:
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Mandatory participation in Puppy Raiser classes and training prior to receiving a puppy.
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Puppy Raisers meetings and training classes biweekly after receiving the puppy.
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A comprehensive Puppy Raiser Training Manual; and supplemental training whenever needed.
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These tools and experiences not only teach you how to train your puppy, but they also teach your puppy confidence!
Reminders:
★ We do not require that you have experience we will provide the training, you provide the love, time and commitment!
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★ Be ready for a puppy in training to go everywhere with you as their Puppy Raisers! There are only a few occasional exceptions when the puppy may stay home alone in the crate. State laws accommodate puppies-in-training and give them the same rights and privileges as service dogs with recipients. ​
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★ Puppies start out tiny and cute and then grow up! Our adolescent dogs can grow to 60 – 70 pounds, and actions that are cute for tiny puppies are not so cute as large dogs. When puppies learn obedience and manners, bigger dogs are a pleasure to have in the home. A Puppy Raiser must be physically capable of handling a large-breed dog.​
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★ In addition to the Puppy Raiser, every member of the household must agree to adhere to our puppy raising standards, guidelines and protocols!
Commitment & Interview Process:
All applicants must complete an in-person interview before final approval. The interview will cover:
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✔ Understanding of puppy raising responsibilities.
✔ Ability to commit to biweekly training classes.
✔ Housing and lifestyle suitability for a puppy.
✔ Family and roommate support.
✔ Past experiences with dogs, both good and bad.
✔ Plans for handling puppy care alongside school responsibilities