dogs in training
NSD Aico
Aico 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. He is currently in High School and goes to class once a month to learn how to be a great service dog in the future.
All of the training and care provided to each dog would not be possible without the support of generous volunteers and donors.
Woof! Woof!
(Hello!)
Breed: Labrador x Golden Retriever
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: July 12, 2024
Sire: DGC Kody
Dam: NSD Liberty
Litter: A Litter
Puppy Sponsor: Esther Best
Volunteer Team: Morgan and Trey, The Mustard Family, & Trixie Middleton-Mohr, Emily Hedge
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.
Aico's Updates
December 2024
I am in grade school now and learn more specific skills that will help shape me into a future service dog. Some of these skills include 'under', 'mat', and 'near'. I have also been practicing these new skills, loose leash walking and meet and greets while remaining focused on their handlers. I have so much fun going on trips to the grocery store, libraries, restaurants, and recreational centres with my puppy raiser. As part of grade school, I will also get to swap houses with one of my littermates for two weeks and work with a new handler.
May 2025
I am now in high school classes! 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. My trainers say this about me: "Aico has a heart as big as his paws. He’s learning basic manners and exploring new sights, sounds, and smells every day. Aico's gentle nature and eagerness to please make him a well rounded young pup. "
October 2025
Aico has matured so much throughout the past couple of months! His patience and calm demeanor are developing beautifully. He has been practicing resting quietly during longer settling sessions, which mirrors the focus he will need in advanced training.
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.