dogs in training
NSD Grumman
Grumman is currently with his adult raiser. He has started University and goes to NSD for training 5 days a week. When not at NSD, he learns how to settle, cuddle and continue to be a welcomed member of the community. This training will help prepare him to be matched with his client.
Woof! Woof!
(Hello!)
Breed: Lab x Golden Retriever
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: September 5, 2022
Sire: NSD Echo
Dam: NSD Hazel
Litter: G Litter
Puppy Sponsor: Friends of NSD, Diane Brockman and Tom Moreau (named after a plane, Grumman Cheetah)
Volunteer Team: Tara Kirkby, Gail Millen, Catherine Denny & Brad Vandenbogaerde, Jodi Morris
Fund My TrainingSponser Future NSD Puppies
Help Our Service Dogs Change Lives
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At NSD, we do not receive any government funding to support our mission. Instead, we rely entirely on the generous support of individual donors, community partners, corporate sponsors, service clubs, and through annual fundraising events.
Help us empower people to achieve their full potential. Show your support and donate today.
Volunteer
NSD would not exist without the tireless efforts of our dedicated volunteers. Their commitment to our mission and the individuals we serve is truly inspiring, and we are honoured to have them as part of our family.
If you are interested in joining our outstanding team of volunteers, we encourage you to submit an application.
Grumman's Updates
November 2022
Grumman is a very smart, sweet boy with a strong personality. He has mastered sit, down, wait and working on stay. He loves our old lab Oakley and follows him everywhere.
March 2023
This month, Grumman has been working on his confidence around novel objects and new under-footings. He is doing so well and continues to show his trainers that he can take on new challenges with ease. He is making really great progress in training classes and has been working really hard at staying calm around other dogs.
June 2023
Mr. Grumman has a goofy, playful personality with motivation to learn new things, especially if food rewards are involved. He has become a master of Sit, Down, Wait (short waits), Kennel, Mat, Up Up, Off. His Super Power is giving puppy dog eyes and offering his “Chin”, when he’s tired and/or in anticipation that you are going to give him the cue at some point. When we are preparing our meals & eating, Grumman goes to his Mat to settle/lounge & when it’s his turn to eat, he patiently sits & waits to be served. Whether we are shopping for a few groceries, grabbing lunch, or doing a mall walk, Grumman continues to walk in public with pride while wearing his NSD Jacket. We always catch people pointing & smiling at this handsome boy. We are working on getting him to settle in an area (i.e. puppy training classes) & be a little less eager/vocal to play with the other puppies. He has made great progress with this so far. Grumman loves to be with his people & he is working on remaining settled & quiet when left alone in his kennel for more than an hour at a time. We look forward to exploring the many wonderful qualities this puppy has to show us within the next few months.
June 2023
Mr. Grumman is still a happy playful puppy. He continues to enjoy his time alone on his mat, the cold tile floor next to his mat or in his kennel (open or closed) napping, chewing a bone or playing with stuffed toys. Grumman also loves to take naps at your feet which is wonderful for us during cooler days/evenings. Grumman is adapting very well to being left alone with full home access (not kenneled) for short periods of time. Overall, he has great house manners. We continue to work on getting him to settle & focus during puppy training/settling classes & be a little less eager/vocal to play with the other puppies – there has been much progress in this area & we are proud of him.
September 2023
Mr. Grumman is now a 1 year old happy puppy! He is enjoying High School life as he continues to learn and grow. He is now fluent in Chin, Step, Under, Take it, Side, Back and has always been cooperative with body handling. This happy fellow can make the most boring days exciting and the lazy down times comforting. He just loves to be part of his human pack; however, Grumman has adapted very well to being left alone with full home access (not kenneled) for 4+ hours at a time. He is a playful puppy & a social butterfly so we continue to work on settling quietly around other puppies & fun distractions.
December 2023
Grumman continues to work on all his high school skills with added distractions. He will continue to go on new adventures with his raisers to prepare him for his future career.
February 2024
Mr. Grumman is now a 17 month old happy young adult! He continues to work on fine tuning his High School skills as he continues to mature. Grumman has wonderful home manners and always finds lots of time to bring out his goofy personality to give everyone something to laugh about. He loves playing fetch with a jolly ball or kettlebell dog toy. We continue to help him work on staying calm during meet & greets and there has been great progress so far. We see great things in this special puppy’s future.
April 2024
We are excited to welcome Grumman into the Fall 2024 class of NSD University this June!
Everything You Need to Know
Training
Volunteer
Apply
The flow of dogs through NSD’s Programs takes 0-2 years as follows:
- Step 1: Breeding Program
- Step 2: Volunteer Raiser Programs
- Step 3: Behavioural Assessments
- Step 4: University/College
- Step 5: Placement
The tireless efforts of our clients, staff, and volunteers allow our dogs in training to succeed, with social workers and mental health professionals present to ensure our entire process stays people-centric. After about 2 years of training and assessment, our NSD graduates are successfully placed in a client’s home.
Become a Puppy Raiser
Help raise a puppy into a life-changing Service Dog by providing love, training, and socialization until they are 14-16 months old.
Become an Adult Raiser
Help facilitate training and care for a Service Dog until they find their forever family. Polish the dog’s current skills and manners and test their abilities with a new handler as they enter a new environment.
Become a Carpool Driver
Transport Service Dogs with your car to their weekday training sessions. This volunteer role involves picking up NSD University/College dogs from their Adult Raiser’s home and bringing them to training in Kitchener/Cambridge.
Several factors determine the cost of a Service Dog.
Over their eight to ten year working life, Service Dogs are valued up to $50,000. However, each dog is provided free of charge to approved clients. All food and veterinary costs are borne by the client once the dog has been placed.
NSD receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations from the general public, corporate sponsors, fundraising events, and community supporters. We also host third-party fundraisers in support of our working dog teams.
Applications are on a referral basis. Please visit our program pages for more information.