Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc.
Puppy Raiser Application
Home phone#:_____________ Other phone:__________ Email:____________________________
Other household members names Relationship Age (if under 18)
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1. _______________ Name of person who will be taking primary responsibility for the puppy. The “responsible person” must be 18 years or older.
Please initial the following statements.
2. _____ Minors may be involved in the upbringing of a puppy under the direct supervision of the “responsible person”.
3. ______ Everyone in the family is willing to take part in the raising of the puppy.
4. ______ EVERYONE in the family is enthusiastic about the puppy being raised in the home.
5. ______ Someone must be home during the day to feed, groom, and care for the puppy. The puppy may not be left home alone, unsupervised, for more than three consecutive hours.
6. ______ While the puppy is in your care, the puppy may NOT be left home alone, unsupervised, for more than three consecutive hours.
7. ______ The puppy is to be raised as an indoor dog.
8. ______ The puppy is to be crate trained. The puppy’s crate will be used as a housebreaking tool and will be: (1) Available at all times for the puppy to use, (2) Used as a bed at night, (3) Used for short periods of time during the day, never to exceed three hours at a time, and (4) NEVER as a form of punishment.
9. ______ We will supply a safe, secure fenced yard or dog run for the breaking purposes, or because we do not have a fenced area, leash relieve the dog. Note: Guide Dog puppies are not allowed to relieve themselves while out walking.
10.______ Expenses incurred in raising a Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc. puppy are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. It is your responsibility to get advise as to documentation from a competent tax person. Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc. has no obligation in this area.
11.Choose one of the following financial plans
a. ________ The raiser will pay for the puppy’s food, bedding, and toys. Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc. will pay for all veterinary care, flea control, heartworm prevention, etc.
b. _________ The raiser will pay for ALL the puppy’s food, toys, flea control, vaccination, regular veterinary health checkups, heartworm prevention, etc. (The average cost to the puppy raiser over a one and a half year period is $60.00 per month)
c. _________ Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc. will cover all of the puppy’s expenses, except for bedding and toys.
12._______ No member of our family is allergic to or afraid of dogs.
13._______ We understand that all travel out of state as well as any overnight travel must be pre-approved in writing from Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc. prior to departure.
14._______ The puppy will be taken to the veterinarian for all shots, regular checkups, and when the raisers or supervisors feel an examination is necessary. No bills will be paid by Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc. unless GDTx has approved it prior to your incurring the expense.
15._______ When possible you will notify your supervisor before going to the veterinarian. It is your responsibility to keep accurate records of your puppy’s shots, medical care and veterinarian visits on your health record booklet and to pass this information on to the supervisor.
16._______ We agree to keep our household pets on flea prevention, and to treat the home and yard if needed. You agree to continue flea and heartworm prevention with the Guide Dog Puppy.
17._______ The Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc. conducts obedience classes at various times and you and “your” puppy’s participation is recommended.
18._______ You and “your” puppy will be visited by your Puppy Raiser Supervisor two-times a month for the first month and once a month thereafter to asses the puppy’s training walk progress.
19._______ The puppy must be taken on a minimum of five (5) “clean” walks per week, as per supervisor instruction. The ideal puppy schedule would be include up to 12 walks per week.
20._______ The puppy must NEVER be hit as a form of correction or punishment.
21._______ “Your” puppy will be issued a jacket that says “Guide Dog Puppy” or “Guide Dog in Training”. When wearing his jacket, the puppy has access to all public places that a working guide dog would have. Taking him out in public places, once he has his jacket, is of great importance. Remember, when you are out with “your” puppy, you and the puppy are our best public relations team.
22._______ If “your” puppy fails to complete his formal training, and is not accepted by another service dog organization, you might have the first right of refusal to adopt the puppy.
23._______ A few of the dogs may be selected from the training stages to become breeders in our program. We have no way of knowing at an early stage, which you will receive a breeder or a guide.
24._______ If it is determined that the puppy’s needs, either socialization or health care are not being met, GDTx reserves the right to place the puppy with a raiser more suited to his needs.
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Signature of Puppy Raiser Applicant Date
Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc.
1503 Allena Drive
San Antonio, TX 78213
210-366-4081