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Join the Pack: Become a Puppy Raiser Today!

Hawaii Fi-do Service Dog Puppy Raiser Program

Program Overview
As a Hawaii Fi-do Service Dog puppy raiser, you will play a vital role in transforming a young puppy into a life-changing service dog. This rewarding 12-24 month commitment involves providing comprehensive care, training, and socialization that forms the foundation for the puppy's future success as a service animal.

Core Responsibilities:
Daily Care and Environment

  • Provide a safe, nurturing home environment with consistent love and care

  • Establish and maintain clear behavioral expectations and boundaries

  • Dedicate adequate daily time for training, socialization, and exercise

Training and Socialization

  • Attend mandatory weekly/monthly meetings with trainers and fellow puppy raisers for structured learning and skill development

  • Participate in obedience classes designed to meet ADI (Assistance Dogs International) Standards

  • Integrate your puppy into daily activities including shopping trips, community events, and social gatherings

  • Expose your puppy to diverse environments that mirror real-world service dog experiences
     

Important Note: Puppies in training do not have automatic public access rights. Always request permission before entering businesses or facilities.

Behavioral Standards
Your puppy must learn essential behaviors including:

  • Chewing only designated toys

  • Staying off furniture and beds

  • No food begging or counter surfing

  • Calm, controlled greetings without jumping

  • Appropriate barking behavior

Documentation and Communication

  • Submit monthly progress reports to the Program Director documenting development, concerns, and achievements

  • Complete periodic evaluations at designated training milestones

  • Maintain regular communication with trainers and program staff
     

Raiser Requirements
Essential Qualifications

  • Age requirement: Primary raiser must be 18 or older (minors may serve as secondary raisers)

  • Physical capability: Adequate strength and energy to handle an active, growing puppy

  • Time commitment: Consistent daily availability for training and socialization

  • Training philosophy: Commitment to positive reinforcement methods using food rewards exclusively

Preferred Qualifications

  • Previous dog training experience (not required but beneficial)

  • Willingness to learn and apply professional training techniques

  • Strong communication skills and collaborative approach

Personal Attributes

  • Patience and persistence

  • Flexibility and adaptability

  • Genuine commitment to the service dog mission
     

Your Impact
By joining our program, you become an essential partner in providing life-changing service dogs to individuals with disabilities. Your dedication during this crucial foundation year directly impacts the success of future service dog partnerships.

Ready to begin this meaningful journey? Complete the application form below to help us match you with the perfect puppy and ensure the best possible training experience for both of you.

If you’re interested, please complete this application.

  • What are my responsibilities?
    All new puppy raisers MUST attend 3-4 months of training sessions BEFORE they receive a dog and they would be partnered with a current Puppy Raiser to get hands-on training. The raiser must attend a weekly class so that the puppy can learn basic obedience commands such as sit, down, stay, and come. Obedience teaches the puppy “good manners” and establishes a foundation for service tasks. Classes also help socialize the puppy. It is important that you socialize the puppy 2-3 times per week. We also require raisers to join us in our monthly community socialization outings and activities. Physical Requirements: Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 40 lbs. Comfort walking briskly with the puppy for 20+ minutes, twice a day. Ability to ascend and descend staircases while handling the puppy. Adequate manual dexterity to handle a leash and treat simultaneously.
  • What if I work full-time?
    Most of our raisers don’t work full-time, which we prefer— especially for our younger dogs. If the puppy is young, four hours is the maximum time it can be left alone. You can ask relatives, neighbors, or other raisers to visit the puppy if you cannot go home during the day for the first month or so. We prefer to have someone in the home at least part-time until the pup is comfortable in his new setting.
  • What if I already have a dog?
    We will consider your dog’s age, temperament, and breed. Sometimes having an older dog can be helpful to the puppy’s development, but it can also lead to bad habits or distract from the pup’s learning. Weekly classes will help to socialize the puppy, even if you do not have a dog.
  • How much of my time is required?
    Puppy raising is a 24/7 job—no getting around it! This includes: playtime work time group training socialization (exposing your puppy to people and public places) general care housetraining exercise (daily) grooming
  • Who is responsible for veterinary costs, etc.?
    Hawaii Fi-Do covers costs incurred including: routine vet visits monthly medications and the spaying or neutering of the puppy. We appreciate it if our raiser can purchase quality approved food (we use Costco when we can) for all of our dogs. If this is a hardship, Hawaii Fi-Do will purchase the food. All costs incurred in raising your puppy may be deductible as a charitable contribution from your income. Consult a tax advisor for information about tax deductions.
  • Isn’t it hard to give the puppy up?
    It can be the most difficult part of raising a foster puppy. Our pups are rotated every 3-4 months to a new home so they can experience many living situations. Our puppy raisers fall in love with the concept of puppy raising and have the opportunity to love and train many pups. The many times your puppies make someone laugh and smile will far outweigh the tears from returning them to Hawaii Fi-Do. Someone on our waiting list will be hoping and dreaming of the day your puppy becomes their service dog.
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