dogs in training

NSD Jasper

Jasper is currently with his adult raiser. He has started College and goes to NSD for training 1 day 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: December 12, 2022

Sire: NSD Ranger

Dam: NSD Leia

Litter: J Litter

Puppy Sponsor: Fastenal Canada

Volunteer Team: Peggy & Warren Bennett, Karen Payne, Craig Inker

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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.

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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.

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Jasper's Updates

March 2023

February and March have been exciting months. Jasper has settled in very well. He sleeps in his kennel without fuss and loves playing with his stuffed toys while I work. He enjoys going to his weekly NSD class and learning new skills, sit, down, mat and seeing his J+ litter friends. Jasper has his training jacket and we’ve started going out on short public outings. Jasper is a sweet boy and we enjoy watching him learn and grow.

May 2023

Jasper had a great month. He enjoyed his last month of kindergarten classes. Learning how to settle in public and working on cues such as near, drop it and leave it. We are working hard at ignoring distractions. He’s had many outings this month and has done very well. Jasper has had a few play dates with his class mates. He’s becoming more confident when playing. Jasper had a growth spurt and has started to lose his puppy teeth. He loves chewing on his bones and lying in the sun. Jasper loves to climb into my lap for cuddles at night.

June 2023

Jasper is doing well in grade school. He is learning to stay on his mat for longer durations and practicing settling in public with different types of distractions. We go into my office once a week and practice with the elevators and our manners in the cafeteria. He stayed with another volunteer this month for his 2 week puppy swap. He had a fun time and adjusted very well. Jasper is a good boy that likes playing with his squeaky toys and using his sniff mat. He likes to cuddle on my lap before bedtime.

September 2023

Jasper is 8 months old. He will start High school in September. He did very good in Grade School. His loose leash walking is improving and he is very well behaved in jacket. We went to the movie theater and he settled very well. He comes on most errands with me and he gets many smiles and compliments from passersby. He always gives them a happy tail wag back.

October 2023

Jasper is working hard in High School. He is learning new cues like chin, step and touch. We are continuing to practice settling in high distraction areas for longer periods of time. Jasper has been doing very well with meet and greets. He’s a friendly puppy and always makes us smile.

December 2023

Jasper has been on many outings recently. The highlight was a OHL hockey game. Jasper did very well with all the different sounds and cheering. He had a few pets from admirers and settled very well in the concourse area. A very successful outing. Jasper is continuing to practice and manage his excitement with meet and greets at the front door. He is a sweet, friendly boy and enjoys his sniff mat and chew toys.

March 2024

Jasper is enjoying all the learning opportunities through NSD and with his raiser. This month we have had distraction classes, appointments, visiting family, a lot restaurant outings, the movies, the hair salon and trivia night. He was also very good on his recent stay with an NSD sitter. Jasper is very good at settling in public and people watching. He enjoys long-line walks were he can sniff every patch of snow. We have had a few in-jacket outings with his half sister Penny and other NSD pups. He makes us smile every day. He greets us with a happy ‘awoo’ in the morning and cuddles at night.

April 2024

We are excited to welcome Jasper into the Fall 2024 class of NSD University in 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.

future NSD companions

Meet Our Dogs In Training

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