Breeders
NSD Blue
I got a job! My time as a “puppy in training” has come to an end and I found the perfect career path as part of NSD’s breeding program
Woof! Woof!
(Hello!)
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: April 8, 2023
Sire: PADS Queso
Dam: SSD Ida B
Litter: ABC
Puppy Sponsor: The Ottawa Police Association
Volunteer Team: Sandy Dobratz, Sandra Kelebuda
Sponser Future NSD Puppies
Help Our Service Dogs Change Lives
Donate
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.
Blue's Updates
September 2023
I can’t say enough good this things about this puppy. Blue is always ready to work and is coming along nicely with all her skills. She is calm and confident in new situations, she is eager to please and has great focus. At home, Blue loves cuddles and playing with her housemate Tweet.
October 2023
NSD Blue has had a very busy October! We have been working on lots of new skills like “come”, “touch”, “under”, and “stay”. Her stay is really steady even in new environments and with adding pretty tough distractions. She has enjoyed spending some time with me at work where she is able to settle nicely on her bed. Long line walks through the woods are her favourite activity right now! At home she rarely leaves my side and loves cuddles when I sit on the floor with her. She’s convinced she’s a lap dog!
October 2024
I was chosen as a breeder due to my high potential to be an excellent Service Dog, high desire to work, even temperament, clean bill of health, and absence of common hereditary conditions. I will now play one of the most important roles at NSD - helping to provide future life changers.
Everything You Need to Know
Program
Health Clearances
Volunteer
Ensuring Access to Quality Dogs
Since 2019, NSD has been a member of the Assistance Dogs International Breeding Cooperative (IBC). As part of this partnership, NSD also utilizes and is a member of the International Working Dog Registry (IWDR).
All IBC members track their dog’s health, training and placement data through the database across the life of the dog. This data informs our breeding decisions by allowing us to review in depth background information on a potential breeder’s:
- Year over year health; including the health of their siblings, parents and offspring
- Temperament testing and training assessments; including the number of puppies produced to successful deployment by them, their parents, siblings and offspring
- Placement ratios by program type (i.e Autism, PTSD, Hearing, Facility etc)
- Possible mates: using Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs), we can match dogs online to see their estimated production values for hip and elbow health, eye health, and genetic disorders
Breeder Health Clearances
- Annual eye exams with a board certified ophthalmologist (including post-retirement)
- Penn Hip screening with a certified Penn Hip veterinarian
- OFA Elbow screening
- Echocardiogram with a board certified cardiologist
- Genetic screening
- Breeding soundness exam with a reproduction veterinarian
- Temperament screening with qualified NSD training and breeding team members
Become a Breeder Caretaker
Provide a loving environment for a breeding dog in between litters. As a Breeder Caretaker, you get to help the next generation of Service Dogs begin their journey. In this role, you welcome a breeding dog into your home and provide a safe and loving environment in between litters. You bring the dog to all of their appointments and care for them until retirement from the breeding program; females typically retire after 4-5 litters or at 6 years old. Preferably, Breeder Caretakers for female dogs also welcome litters of puppies! With support from staff and our whelping program, you would host the litter of puppies for about 7 weeks. This includes keeping the puppies’ area clean and stimulating for both mom and her puppies. The main goal at this stage is to care for and socialize the puppies until they are ready to start training with their Puppy Raisers. As a Breeder Caretaker, you are the first step in raising confident Service Dogs. A volunteer must:
- have a flexible schedule
- live within 45 minutes of NSD (1286 Cedar Creek Rd)
- have no children under the age of 5 living in the house
- have a maximum of 2 dogs in their home that are over one year of age