Why?

COPE Service Dogs are destined for a fulfilling life with human partners, it is of the utmost importance that they be home-raised. This means being part of a family during their formative puppy-hood and into their advanced training years.

Where?

Simcoe County: within a reasonable traveling distance to Canines in the Classroom location at Nantyr Shores Secondary School.

Mississauga: within a reasonable travelling distance to Canines in the Classroom locations at West Credit Secondary School and Meadowvale Secondary School.

Who?

• You are over 18 years of age.
• If you have a family, you must have all your family members’ support.
• You may have other pets, but no more than 2 dogs in residence and none under the age of 12 months. All other pets must be spayed or neutered.
• Your home will ideally have a safe fenced yard.
• You must have the transportation means to attend regular training classes, and to transport your puppy to the Canines In The Classroom Program or be available to have your pup transported by the COPE van.
• You are available to care for the puppy during the day either in your home or at work when the puppy is not in school.
• You must be willing to take your puppy with you on outings and into public establishments such as stores and restaurants.
• You must commit to and comply with the training methods used by COPE.
• You will have successfully completed our application and screening process.

What?

A Puppy Foster Volunteer is the first, very important step in the life of a COPE dog. The responsibilities of the family are outweighed by the enrichment of having a puppy-in-training in your life!

Responsibilities include:

• Raising the best dog possible in accordance with the training methods set out by COPE.
• Always leaving a positive impression with anyone who interacts with a COPE puppy-in-training.

More specifically:

• Mandatory attendance at training sessions for you and your puppy-in-training.
• Transportation of puppy to training facilities in Barrie and/or Innisfil to participate in early puppy-hood training and advanced training, as well as other COPE programs.
• Socializing the puppy by systematically exposing him/her to different situations they will experience in their future work, under COPE’s guidance. That means, taking your puppy with you wherever you go!
• Be willing to purchase some basic puppy supplies, for example: toys, treats, toothbrush and toothpaste, brush, flexi-leash, bedding and bowls.
• COPE will provide the dog crate, regularly scheduled vet care, food, a 4 foot leash, exercise harness, and COPE ID (backpack and/or cape).

Timing:

 We regularly have the opportunity to welcome new puppies into our program. If you would like to be a Puppy Foster Volunteer, the application process begins by first completing the Pre-Application Form.

What?

COPE Service Dogs has a roster of Puppy Sitters, who provide back-up for Puppy Foster Volunteers when needed. When the Foster is not available because of commitments, vacation or a unplanned changes in circumstance, the puppy-in-training would stay with the Puppy Sitter. Training is supplied to the Sitter once the application process is complete.

Who?

• You are over 18 years of age.
• If you have a family, you must have all your family members’ support.
• You may have other pets, but no more than 2 dogs in residence and none under the age of 12 months. All other pets must be spayed or neutered.
• You must have the transportation means to attend training classes in Barrie, and to transport the puppy that you are sitting to the Canines in the Classroom Program.
• You are available to care for the puppy during the day either in your home or at work as a pet when the puppy is not in school.
• You must commit to and comply with the training methods used by COPE.
• You will have successfully completed our application and screening process.

Timing: 

Will vary depending on the needs of Puppy Foster Volunteers, and can last from a few hours, to a few days or weeks. If you would like to volunteer as a Puppy Sitter, the application process begins by first completing the Pre-Application