dogs in training
NSD Iris
Iris 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: November 5, 2022
Sire: NSD Echo
Dam: NSD Euchre
Litter: I Litter
Puppy Sponsor: Sponsored by long time friend of NSD, Roxanne Weidemann, who has previously sponsored many NSD pups, including most recently, Emmett and Norbert.
Volunteer Team: Diane Petrella, Jade Bieth, Sandra DeGraaf, 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.
Iris's Updates
February 2023
Iris is a very sweet girl. She loves to run around and play with her puzzle toy. She is the biggest cuddler ever! She loves people. She is also a very smart little girl, who loves to find new things to do (or get into). Iris has been working hard, she has very good eye contact and listens when called. We have also been working on impulse control when food is served, staying still and waiting till I tell her to go. It’s a work in progress but she is doing better each day!
May 2023
Iris is a happy and energetic girl who has recently joined us. She is settling in nicely and gets along well with our other dog. We have been working on basic commands and working to strengthen her halti and flat-collar walking. She is eager to learn and she loves a cuddle!
August 2023
Iris has been practicing how to be calm around small children and is doing incredibly well. She has been working on recall and can be counted on to come even when playing with other dogs (most of the time). She continues to work hard and practice all that she has learned and still loves to cuddle on our lap at the end of the day!
November 2023
Iris is a happy and funny girl. She is eager to learn and sometimes executes a couple of her learned skills in quick succession, anticipating what I want before I’ve even asked! She loves car rides and outings, her friend NSD Cori, her littlest humans and meeting new humans too.
February 2024
Iris is just the happiest girl who is excited and eager to learn. She is working to perfect the high school skills that she has learned such as “chin” and “step” and also working hard to contain her excitement when need be. She is very well behaved when out in public.
April 2024
We are excited to welcome Iris into the 2024 Fall class of NSD University in June!
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.