Puppies Behind Bars is in great need of volunteer weekend puppy sitters to help us further our mission to raise successful guide dog candidates within the New York State Correctional System. Our dogs live in prison, either Fishkill Correctional Facility in Dutchess or Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in Westchester County, with carefully selected inmates who are totally responsible for their care and training. The "puppy raisers" work very hard and focus their energy on developing the dogs to their fullest potential, but they cannot do everything possible to maximize the dog's potential from inside prison. That is why your help is so critical.

Puppy sitters are needed to aid in the socialization of our puppies. We ask that you take a puppy into your home and expose it to new experiences during his/her time with you. For example, it is very beneficial for the puppies to ride in cars or on trains, to go to stores and restaurants, to walk on different streets and, in short, to see, smell and hear new things. Almost 50% of dogs bred to be guide dogs do not make it. A great deal is asked of a professional guide dog with one of the key aspects being that the dog has the self-confidence to handle varied environments and stress levels. In order to develop this confidence, a dog must be exposed to as many appropriate and positive experiences as possible.

This volunteer opportunity is an amazing one in that it allows people to help the handicapped and enjoy a monthly weekend of fun with a loving, playful and well-behaved Labrador Retriever puppy. You can watch "your" dog grow and hopefully be there to see it graduate as a guide. Puppies Behind Bars does ask several things of puppy sitters and these are listed below. If, after reviewing our requirements, you are interested in volunteering or learning more about the program, please contact Lisa Bruno at (914) 962-3893 or lisa@puppiesbehindbars.com. In addition, if you know someone you think would enjoy this work, please pass this information on. We sincerely appreciate your interest.

Training A mandatory 2-hour training session is required of all weekend sitters so that you will be able to maintain the same training with the dogs as they are accustomed to in the prison. We will provide you with a training manual and are always available to answer any questions.

References All weekend sitters must furnish two references. If you have a friend that you feel would be appropriate for the program, please let us know and we will contact them.

Time Commitment
You are asked to take a puppy at least one weekend per month. If you would like to do it more frequently, that is wonderful. Weekends are usually Friday evenings to late Sunday afternoon, but we are flexible with regard to this. As well, if it is more convenient for you to take a dog during the week, that is fine and arrangements will be made to accommodate you.

Supplies
Weekend sitters are asked to provide the following: a crate and crate liner for sleeping, dog food, a dog bowl and one or two toys. The puppy will have a leash when you pick it up, and when old enough a puppy jacket which clearly identifies it as a guide dog in training and which will make it welcome in many places that normally do not permit dogs. Total cost is approximately $100, which is tax deductible as an in-kind contribution to PBB.

Picking Up the Puppy
Puppies must be picked-up and returned to the same facility, either Fishkill or Bedford Hills. Prior arrangements must be made for you to enter the facility and for the puppy raiser to be able to meet you so it is important that the outings are scheduled in advance.

Other Pets
It is wonderful for our puppies to be exposed to other animals, so having others at home is no problem. Our only restriction is that if you have a cat it must be de-clawed. We cannot risk potential damage to the puppy's eye that could result from a scratch.

Contact: Lisa Bruno

Puppies Behind Bars
Phone No. 914 962 3893
email: lisa@puppiesbehindbars.com