Can Do Canines

Puppy raising and dog acquisitiona. The puppy program included 244 dogs this year. These pups were either donated to or bred by can do canines and raised by inmates or volunteers. A total of 57 dogs came into the kennels for final training.b. We had 522 volunteer foster homes and puppy raiser homes this year, with 167 being new in 2024. These volunteers are a very important part of our services. Puppies are placed with volunteer families at eight weeks of age for early socialization. This process is crucial for the puppy to reach its full potential as an adult. Puppy raisers work with our puppy program staff and trainers. They attend weekly training classes and public access outings during the time they are raising their puppy. This program will continue to play an important role in our future success.244 individuals completed an application to participate in the foster program. C. Our volunteer puppy program volunteers provided an estimated 572, 784 hours of housing, nurturing, loving, socializing and working with their puppies this year. These volunteers save can do canines immeasurable dollars each year. For example, if our program were to pay just $3.00 per hour for the time spent raising these puppies, it would cost the agency $1,718,352 annually. Many of our puppy program volunteers are also volunteering to provide the general public with educational presentations about their life experiences training a puppy to become an assistance dog, which saves can do canines additional money annuallyd. In 2024, 10 litters produced 65 puppies for the puppy program. As part of our agreement with the ibc breeding cooperative and work with other organizations, 11 of these puppies were sent to other member organizations. These puppies will enter assistance dog training at approximately 18 months of age.e. Generous breeders donated 5 dogs and puppies to the puppy program this year. Other assistance dog organizations donated 2 dogs to the puppy program during 2024. The total value of these donations ranges from $10,500 to $21,000, as each puppy could have been sold for$1,500 to $3,000. These breeders and other organizations chose to make an in-kind contribution rather than profit from the sale of these dogs. We are very grateful!