dogs in training
NSD Gala Apple
Gala Apple is currently with her adult raiser. She has started University and goes to NSD for training 5 days a week. When not at NSD, she learns how to settle, cuddle and continue to be a welcomed member of the community. This training will help prepare her to be matched with her client.
Woof! Woof!
(Hello!)
Breed: Lab x Golden Retriever
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: September 5, 2022
Sire: NSD Echo
Dam: NSD Hazel
Litter: G Litter
Puppy Sponsor: Friends at Dogtopia Applewood
Volunteer Team: Tara Kirkby, Morgan Ellis, Katie Currie, Phoebe Montgomery, Karen Payne
Fund My TrainingSponser Future NSD Puppies
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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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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.
Gala Apple's Updates
November 2022
Gala is a wonderful little girl and we are very pleased with her progress thus far. Gala learns very quickly and will do anything for a treat. She can be a big ball of energy at times, but is also very quiet and sweet. We are still working on Gala’a excitability when it comes to meal time as well as her loose leash walking. We are certain she will master these skills in no time!
March 2023
Gala is just over six months now and is such a sweet girl who loves to cuddle and play. She does a great job being focused and maintaining eye contact in public and has really improved with her pulling on walks. We are still working on lunging at kibbles when she gets a reward and being less vocal when excited.
June 2023
Gala is 9 months old and is such a good girl. She is now in High School and has spent the past six months adventuring around many different schools, malls, and stores. Gala has been loving the warm weather and is doing really well with recall when off-leash outside. She really likes to cuddle and shows off her stuffed animals to anyone that is around. Gala has gotten better taking the stairs slower, and is still working on staying calm when she sees her other puppy friends in public.
September 2023
Gala has turned 1 year old and she is such a loving, cuddly girl! Although she is very energetic and playful, Gala has been doing a great job settling down and focusing when she goes into public spaces. She has made some good puppy friends and loves to run and play with them when she is off-duty. Gala is still working on containing her initial excitement when walking alongside other dogs, as well as refining her greeting skills. She has made good progress with her other household habits and has been improving her loose-leash walking.
December 2023
Gala continues to be a wonderful and loving girl. She was able to visit her friends at Dogtopia Applewood and did a great job staying calm despite being surrounded by lots of exciting friends, smells, and toys! We have been working on remaining patient in restaurants and cafe’s for longer periods of time and she has been doing really well at remaining settled and calm. She went on a few puppy playdates and was very respectful of her new friends. Gala has been loving going on trail walks when she’s not busy working (even when she gets caught in the rain!) and she is getting excited to play in the snow this winter!
April 2024
We are excited to welcome Gala into the Fall 2024 class of NSD University this June!
October 2024
I am now training at NSD University five days a week. I get to ride the ‘school bus’ there and work with my trainers all day on the skills I need to help my forever person! I have my own special spot where I get to relax while my classmates practice their skills. Some of the skills I learn include ‘visit’, ‘over’, ‘close’, ‘lap’, ‘nudge’, ‘front’, ‘back’, ‘suit up’ and how to go see others on cue. While at school I am also working on my loose leash walking, recall, and impulse control (especially around food). I have been making wonderful progress and am continuing my training in hope to be placed with my forever family in Spring 2025!
Everything You Need to Know
Training
Volunteer
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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.