Breeders
NSD Penny
I got a job! My time as a “puppy in training” has come to an end and I found the perfect career path as part of NSD’s breeding program.
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: Lab x Golden Retriever
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: August 20, 2023
Sire: LFCDG Calder
Dam: NSD Leia
Litter: P Litter
Puppy Sponsor: The Davy family; In memory of Penny Davy Glasier
Volunteer Team: Daphne & Lawrence McNutt, Laura Marrone, Carol Ghent
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.
Penny's Updates
February 2024
Penny is a sweet loving puppy and is always happy and eager to please. She is doing very well with her loose leash walking and is currently working on settling down during new ‘meets and greets’. She loves to play and run around in the backyard. Inside, she gets really excited if she can tug a toy with us.
October 2024
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.
December 2024
I am still in high school but excited to have a break from classes over the holidays. In the new year I will be assessed by the NSD training team to see if I am ready to move on to NSD University or Companion College. The next steps will prepare me to complete my training to become a life-changing Service, Facility or Skilled Companion Dog. Thank you to everyone who supported my journey so far!
May 2025
Penny is new to the breeding program and has passed all of her health clearances with flying colors. She is super sweet and exuberant about life. We believe she will be a great addition to the breeding program.
October 2025
Penny has settled into her breeder caretaker's home and has made quick friends with resident dog Marley. She's enjoyed romping in their large backyard and many good games of tug. NSD looks forward to Penny's first litter later this year!
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