PUPPY PARENT APPLICATION
OVERVIEW OF POSITION
Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer Puppy Parent for one of our Paws for Purple Hearts (PPH) service dogs in training! Puppy Parents play a crucial role in in the life of a service dog by socializing the dog to new environments, experiences, and people. Puppies’ minds are like sponges and the experiences that a service dog has early in life are critical to its later development and behavior. Not only will raising a service puppy be fun and exciting for you, it helps us to further our mission to provide highly trained service dogs to service members and veterans with disabilities. The ages of the dogs range from ~4 months to ~2 years.
Puppy Parents are volunteers and Paws for Purple Hearts will provide some of the items necessary to raise a puppy in your home, such as a leash, harness, and food. Any other items purchased for the puppy are considered a tax-deductible in-kind donation to Paws for Purple Hearts. Please notify PPH staff if you would like a receipt.
Following is an overview of the responsibilities of a Puppy Parent for our organization. To apply, please review the Responsibilities and Qualifications in the following two sections. If you agree then click the location nearest you to fill out the application.
PUPPY PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Care for the dog in a safe and loving household for a period of time, or periods of time, as determined by Paws for Purple Hearts.
Transport the dog to and from the Paws for Purple Hearts site, as requested, in order for the dog to participate in training with PPH trainers and veterans.
Provide food, water, toileting area, and appropriate toys for the dog while it is in your care.
Take the dog with you on public outings in order to expose him or her to new environments. If approved by PPH staff, the dog will have a “Service Dog in Training” vest that allows public access into areas where pets may normally be restricted (such as stores and restaurants).
Reinforce the dog’s training and, in some cases, teach new skills.
Attend Puppy Parent training meetings as required by Paws for Purple Hearts.
Submit regular Puppy Parent Reports to Paws for Purple Hearts as required.
Obtain veterinary services for the dog, if necessary and as requested by Paws for Purple Hearts, while in your care.
The schedule and length of time the puppy is in your care depends on the puppy, our needs, and your situation. Depending on these factors, a puppy parent schedule may look like one of these options:
Take the dog home for the weekday evenings and weekends. Drop the dog off at PPH in the morning for training and pick up the dog in the evening after training.
Take the dog home on the weekends and return the dog to PPH at the end of the weekend.
Take the dog home for other designated periods of time, such as during the holidays or for extended periods of time as needed.
Puppy Parent Qualifications
Primary handler must have permission to take the dog to school or work or have someone available for the puppy every four hours at a minimum.
Primary handler must be able to drive and have access to a car. (Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis)
Handlers who are minors must have parental supervision.
Handlers must be able to transport the dog to and from the Paws for Purple Hearts site as requested.
Primary handler must own the home or have permission to have a dog in the home.
Home must be safe and able to be puppy proofed, with a safe outside area to potty train.
Handlers must be non-smokers or refrain from smoking around the dog, including in the house.
Household cannot have dogs under 2 years old in the home and no dogs with aggression or other behavior issues, such as reactivity, resource guarding, or dogs that are not potty trained.
All handlers must be mentally and physically capable of training the puppy, carrying the puppy, and handling problem behaviors.
All handlers must have the physical and mental capacity to provide consistent and stable care and training and ensure the dog is not at risk inside or outside of the home.
Primary handler and all members of household must be willing to utilize positive training methods, follow the Paws for Purple Hearts training method, and commit to socialization and potty training.
Primary handler must be willing and able to provide reports and attend training as requested by Paws for Purple Hearts.
Primary handler and all members of household must be committed to our mission to provide highly trained service dogs for service members and veterans with disabilities.
Experience with dogs preferred.
Puppy Parents must reside close enough to transport dogs to/from the PPH site on a daily or weekly basis.
Please apply for a Puppy Parent position ONLY if you live close enough to a PPH site to meet these requirements.
Recent News and Events
Find out the latest PPH news, happenings and “pup”dates on our blog.
Paws for Purple Hearts Virginia is located in Caroline County, a region known for its beautiful rural landscapes and tight-knit community bonds.