Breeders
NSD Brandi
Without the support of generous volunteers and donors, we would not be able to develop our breeding program and bring more life-changing dogs into the world.
Woof! Woof!
(Hello!)
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: November 28, 2021
Sire: BCGD Felix
Dam: PADS Nala
Litter: ABC
Breeder Sponsor: Anonymous
Volunteer Team: Dave & Michelle Fabian, Chris Buehler, Sue Colson
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.
Brandi's Updates
March 2022
Brandi is having a good time with her puppy raisers. She is working on her skills…she’s very good at sit, and getting good at down. She waits when she comes in from outside, and before her meals in her crate. She is excited to learn some new things in the coming weeks. Brandi really likes to cuddle on the floor with her humans.
May 2022
Brandi is a very nice puppy. She loves everyone and we’re working on calm greetings. She likes to be outside and often seeks a place in the sun. She has some canine friends she sees on a regular basis. She is getting very good at responding to her commands on the first cue too.
September 2022
Brandi had a great summer! She went to a sitter’s house for 2 weeks… did a 2-week Puppy Swap. She spent most weekends at the cottage and got to play with lots of kids and dogs. Too bad she doesn’t like the lake. She’s a great little shopper and well-behaved in stores. She’s been to a couple of patios too. Today is her first High School class. She’s still a very happy, friendly little girl and is getting better at controlling her excitement for greetings. We’re still working on proofing her recall in new environments.
December 2022
Brandi is growing up fast, just had her first birthday. She’s a good little girl with a kind temperament. She goes everywhere and is well behaved while out in public. Her greetings need some work but she just loves everyone. She plays well with other dogs. We sat Austen for a couple days and and they were fast friends.
February 2023
Miss Brandy is still a pleasure to be around. Her personality is lovely. She’s happy to meet anyone anywhere. Her greetings are better though she is excited to see you. She’s working on ‘step’. She’s very good at sit down stay mat kennel near commands. She goes everywhere and is well behaved when out in public. Her stay with us is coming to an end, and we’ll miss her but we wish her great success in her next chapter.
May 2023
Brandi is the most loving, sweet, hard-working, playful pup I have ever had the pleasure of caring for. She needs to physically be in contact with her person, whether that’s laying on your feet, or snuggling while sitting on the floor. She really struggles with being alone, but is getting much better at this. Brandi has difficulty settling, but again this is getting easier with more experience.
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