dogs in training
NSD Tilly
Tilly is currently with her puppy raiser. She is being taught a foundation of house manners and cues, for becoming a well-socialized part of the community.
Woof! Woof!
(Hello!)
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: November 15, 2023
Sire: SSD Tico
Dam: NSD Euchre
Litter: T Litter
Puppy Sponsor: Anonymous
Volunteer Team: Sandy, Rob & Lindsay, Alex Leggett
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.
Tilly's Updates
February 2024
Tilly settled into our home easily, forming a fast friendship with her big sister and mentor. She’s a fairly patient, good-natured pup (interspersed with lots of silly puppy moments, of course). She’s impressed us with frequently making good choices around the house such as independently chewing on toys, engaging her sister in a game of tug, or napping. Tilly has picked up on impulse control games and loose leash walking at home and we are working on bringing those same behaviours beyond the front door where the world is much more exciting and distracting.
April 2024
Tilly is adapting to being the only pup in the household and has continued to demonstrate good house manners, despite having to independently make those choices on her own now. We are working hard on settling in new environments, which usually elicits a few grumbles from Tilly. She also gives “good morning grumbles” after being let out of her crate in the mornings. She’s quite a character while also generally a calm and laid-back pup. Tilly is discovering that people and new places can be a lot of fun, so we’re also pointedly working on her handler focus as we navigate this phase of growing up!
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.