NEADS Service Dogs   NEADS Puppy Raiser Application   

Full Time, Team, Weekend, or College Puppy Raiser
Please note:
  • Our Dog Sitter program is currently closed to new applications
  • The College Raiser program is currently only open to students at Assumption University

Thank you for your interest in becoming a NEADS Puppy Raiser. At this time, we are only accepting applicants who live in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Maine.
Thank you for your interest in becoming a NEADS Puppy Raiser. At this time, we are only accepting applicants who attend Assumption University or Holy Cross in MA. 
Pre-Qualifying Questions
Thank you for considering becoming a NEADS Puppy Raiser but our Puppy Raisers are required to attend regular online classes with their Instructor. 
Thank you for considering becoming a NEADS Puppy Raiser but our volunteer onboarding is only available through an online platform.
You are welcome to come back to apply once you are able to take a puppy home within three months.
Thank you for considering NEADS, but to ensure the safety of all of our puppies and dogs, our Puppy Raisers need 24/7 access to a reliable form of transportation in case of emergencies.
Thank you for considering becoming a NEADS Puppy Raiser, but our classes are held at various locations around the area and may require some travel.
Consider your upper body strength, hand mobility, presence of any neck or shoulder problems, and ability to bend over.
NEADS uses Labrador Retrievers, which may reach 60 to 70 pounds during the time you have the dog. Puppy Raisers need to occasionally use physical strength. 
Thank you for considering NEADS, but all of our forms and reports are electronic and/or online for accurate, efficient reporting.  
Thank you for considering becoming a NEADS Puppy Raiser, but our classes are are led by NEADS trained professionals focused on public and in-home behavior. 
Thank you for your interest in NEADS. Our mission is to change lives by matching our Service Dogs with people who need them. Our Puppy Raisers provide a critical role in their training but there will come a time when they need to move to their advanced training levels.  
Please be aware that freshmen typically begin as Puppy Sitters or Co-Raisers.
Weekend Puppy Raiser Questions
NEADS has Weekend Puppy Raiser opportunities in prisons and at the NEADS campus in Princeton, MA.
  • JJ Moran Medium, Cranston, RI
  • MCI Framingham, Framingham, MA
  • MCI Norfolk, Norfolk, MA
  • North Central Correctional Institution, Gardner, MA
  • Northeastern Correctional Center ("The Farm"), Concord, MA
Co-Raising
Please note that we will place your application on hold until your teammate applies.
PLEASE NOTE:
  •  The responsible party for the puppy must be at least 18 years of age, and handlers must be at least 18 years old or 16 years old with parental permission. 
  • Due to the logistical nature of our roles, our initial contact will be via email, with a scheduled phone call to follow if needed between the hours of 8:30am-4:30pm. 
Teens who are 16 to 17 years old may participate with parental consent.
Living Environment - College Program
Your college address (on-campus or off-campus)
College mailing address (if different from above)
Home address (when not at school)
(number only)
number only
number only
Please note that you will be asked to provide written approval from your landlord before scheduling volunteer onboarding.
For each dog, please provide the following information. Select Add Another Dog for additional dogs.
Other Information

Contact Information