dogs in training
NSD Nelson
Nelson is currently with his adult raiser. He is being taught a foundation of house manners and cues, for becoming a well-socialized part of the community.
Woof! Woof!
(Hello!)
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: April 28, 2023
Sire: PADS Zegen
Dam: NSD Chip
Litter: N Litter
Puppy Sponsor: Andy and Carol Quick; In memory of VIP Nelson
Volunteer Team: Morgan Ellis & Trey Larue, Jane Smith, Kathryn and Don McIntyre, Karen Larke
Fund My TrainingSponser 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.
Nelson's Updates
July 2023
NSD Nelson is a very sweet boy who likes to cuddle. He is very smart and willing to learn. He loves being told he is a good boy especially when there are treats to go with it. He is doing very well with potty training and working hard at loose leash walking.
November 2023
NSD Nelson is a smart, sweet boy who loves to cuddle. As he matures he is gaining confidence which allows him to test his boundaries. He is learning to settle for more than an hour at public events with the help of Kongs and hopefully will soon learn to do this without their aid. He generally does very well with his meets and greets but has to learn not to jump up when extra excited.
April 2024
Nelson is a very sweet, loving boy. He continues to do well with his loose leash walking with his gentle leader and is working hard to do the same on the flat collar. We are continuing to work on settling in public places such as church, choir rehearsal and concerts. Classes are a bit harder with all the exciting dogs and trainers. As Nelson matures he is earning more freedom outside his crate at night and when left at home.
October 2024
I am now in high school classes and getting ready for my next adventure in NSD University! I’m really starting to get the hang of this service dog thing, so my puppy raiser takes me to lots of new and exciting places to practice. I am also learning new advanced skills such as 'back,' 'touch,' 'chin,' and stepping on the perch pot. In class, I practice stairs and different under-footings and work for new and different handlers. This is an important step in preparing me for the next phase of my training. At home, I am polishing up my manners around meal times, guests, and outdoor walks. Now that I have more impulse control, I get to have more freedom around the house and get to sleep out of my crate some nights.
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.