COCHRANVILLE — You can help change the life of an individual with a disability by raising a puppy for Canine Partners for Life (CPL). CPL trains and places service dogs to assist individuals with a wide range of physical and cognitive disabilities.
The service dog industry continues to grow and CPL is processing more applications than ever before. In order to meet the increased demand, CPL has to train approximately 50-70 puppies each year! The organization is currently in need of more volunteers willing to take on this significant but rewarding job.
Puppy home volunteers provide a loving and safe environment for their puppy to live and learn for their first year of life. The volunteers teach their puppies basic obedience commands, socialize them in public every day, attend regular vet visits, and participate in two training classes per month held at CPL’s facility. Once the puppy is approximately 15 months old, he/she will return to the organization to enter their formal year of training with CPL’s professional trainers. At the end of two years, the dog is placed with an individual who has a disability and will provide independence and hope for several years to come.
Karen Kral, a volunteer puppy home for CPL shares, “Canine Partners lets us watch the pups grow, learn their commands, and show just how intelligent and willing they are to help. When they leave us, they’re not leaving the world but going on to make a huge difference for someone. To hear the recipients’ stories and see what the dogs mean to them and how they can let their partners shine is priceless and humbling.”
Prior dog handling/training experience is a plus but not required! If you are interested in becoming a volunteer puppy home, please visit CPL’s website, www.k94life.org, to complete a volunteer application or call 610-869-4902 for more information.
