Paws For Life USA Service Dog Training program is unleashing the possibilities for those with visible and non-visible disabilities, by matching puppies and young dogs to be trained as service dogs to help people lead more independent lives. This East Cobb-based non-profit trains service dogs to assist with: autism, multipurpose, mobility, seizure, psychiatric, hearing, medical, diabetic and other disabilities.
Paws for Life USA works with many breeders whose dogs have been evaluated and who have proven blood lines with ancestors who have been in service, therapy or working and show dogs. Animals Deserve Better will also evaluate and rescue puppies/dogs from local or out of state shelters. Paws For Life is looking for volunteers that are willing to foster and work with a future service dog – a great way to help a child or adult who has a disability in need.
“Interested foster volunteers will be required to submit a foster/puppy raiser application form, references are required and candidates must complete a successful interview with a Paws For Life USA staff member to be considered for the program,” says Kimberley Brenowitz, Executive Director, Paws for Life USA.
Foster/puppy raiser volunteers must reside in Metro Atlanta or be able to travel for regular weekly training sessions and have availability to exercise the puppy / dog in a safe fenced-in area. Foster / puppy raiser families are needed to socialize and provide various training to puppies who are 8 weeks and older for a varied amount of time depending on when placement is made with their matched handler. During this time foster/puppy raisers will come for training with a Paws For Life trainer on a weekly basis plus continued training “On The Job Training” when not in Paws For Life training Class.
Foster/puppy raiser individuals or families are also responsible for assisting Paws For Life in maintaining the puppy or dogs health care by scheduling if not done by Paws For Life and transporting the puppy or adult dog to routine veterinary appointments.
Paws For Life USA “school” is located at 3100 Roswell Road, Suite 125, in Marietta/East Cobb. Interested individuals can start the process by visiting www.PawsForLifeUSA.org under the forms tab. Should you have any questions, contact Kimberly@pawsforlifeusa.org.
This article originally appeared in the September/October 2020 issue of the EAST COBBER magazine. You can access the digital edition HERE.
