Service Dog Breeder for the deaf needs a group of "children exposure" for quiet petting, playing and sweet puppy kisses for 21+/- puppies who are service dog candidates for the deaf or disabled.  This opportunity is only open to children ages 9 & up. 

This is a 4 week class that starts Thursday April 6 and meets weekly:

April 6, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

April 13, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

April 20, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

April 27, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

These dogs will be provided for FREE to any member of our community who is deaf or disabled and in need of a service dog.  

We are looking for   21 gentle children volunteers who desire to learn about "service dog desensitization/exposure period" and small BUT critically important, touches that improve the quality of life of future of service dog candidates. These techniques and exposures allow for better chances of completing service dog training and moving them towards service dog work at 2.5 years old when they actually begin working.  

Things you will need:

• 1.5 hours a week for 4 weeks . The First and final 15 minutes is perimeter set up (or take down) and emotional quiet preparation as pups are mirror projections of what each child volunteer is feeling. 
• A collective group of 21 gentle (and adult helper) and quiet children wanting to learn about service dogs. 
• A nylon or boar brush dog brush or small hand size horse brush.  
• Cardboard box, puppy play pen or infant play pen to create their own perimeter or boundary which prevents child volunteer and adult helper from chasing their puppy to various parts of room. 
• A dog brush or xsmall horse brush = this recreates the licking feeling a mother dog performs on her pup and allows the pup to feel secure and calm.
• Adult helper will need rubber gloves, and small bag to pick up small poops or wet messes within perimeter.  
• Adult helper must help remind child volunteer that sitting or lying down while handling pup is two allowed positions. Absolutely no standing while holding a pup to prevent trauma, injury, or death. 
•  A towel to sit or lie on while spending time with pup. 

if any student is  in need of a  service dog due to documented:  

1. Autism 

2. Anxiety panic attacks 

3. Night terrors 

4. Diabetes, etc 

1. If you have allergies towards dogs, please consult your allergist or doctors as scientifically there is no such dog breed that is truly hypoallergenic.

The Poodle is the closest breed to the definition however. The decision to participate is solely on the parents and the medical advise of their practitioner.

A maximum of two children per cubicle or puppy play pen SO LONG as the parent is hands on and not just watching. It is imperative that the puppy is not injured or killed.

Please bring a notepad and pencil if you decide to continue to use this class as part of your curriculum. There is no budget for handouts.

This program is definitely for you.

You will learn a few sign language signs to communicate with deaf such as  ASL signing and finger spelling, Proper signing of greetings and farewells, Small talk using sign language   

Dress Code: 

Long pants preferable jeans if they have them, closed toe shoes, and long sleeve.   Puppies fingernails are extremely sharp and sometimes their teeth are as well depending on how far along the teeth have developed.

Thank you for volunteering your time and effort to learn about service dogs, what their functions are, how to care or react to service dogs encountered in public, and why desensitization/exposure is important at this age.