Nesconset's Sarah Bauman Raising Puppy Griff II For Canine Companions

     Nesconset, NY -  Canine Companions, the nation’s first and largest service dog organization, is proud to announce that Sarah Bauman of Nesconset, New York recently began raising a future service dog for Canine Companions.

     Puppy Griff II is a 3 month old Lab/Golden Retriever cross who will one-day know over 40 professional commands, and be matched with an adult, child or veteran with disabilities free of charge.  Griff will be able to open and close doors, turn lights on and off, and pick up dropped items to name just a few.

     Volunteer Puppy Raisers are critically important to the work of Canine Companions. Puppy Raisers take the pups into their home at eight weeks of age, teaching them house manners, basic commands and socialization skills.  The socialization is perhaps the most important, because the dogs need to be exposed to all different types of surroundings. With the special yellow capes they wear, these dogs are permitted to go to many public areas that family pets aren’t allowed. When the dogs reach about a year and a half old, they are returned to the Canine Companions regional headquarters in Medford, New York. They begin 6 months of professional training with the organization’s nationally renowned instructors, before they are matched with an adult, child or veteran with disabilities.

     For more information about becoming a Puppy Raiser, visit canine.org or call 1-800-572-BARK.

ABOUT CANINE COMPANIONS: Canine Companions is leading the service dog industry so our clients and their dogs can live with greater independence. We provide service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities and facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice and educational settings. Since our founding in 1975, our dogs and all follow-up services are provided at no cost to our clients.