Paws for Purple Hearts Puppy Parent Application

This application should be completed by the primary person or people who will be working with the puppy.
Overview

OVERVIEW OF POSITION

Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer Puppy Parent for one of our Paws for Purple Hearts (PPH) service dogs in training! Puppy Parents play a crucial role in in the life of a service dog by socializing the dog to new environments, experiences, and people. Puppies’ minds are like sponges and the experiences that a service dog has early in life are critical to its later development and behavior. Not only will raising a service puppy be fun and exciting for you, it helps us to further our mission to provide highly trained service dogs to service members and veterans with disabilities. The ages of the dogs range from ~4 months to ~2 years.

Puppy Parents are volunteers and Paws for Purple Hearts will provide some of the items necessary to raise a puppy in your home, such as a leash, harness, and food. Any other items purchased for the puppy are considered a tax-deductible in-kind donation to Paws for Purple Hearts. Please notify PPH staff if you would like a receipt.

Following is an overview of the responsibilities of a Puppy Parent for our organization. To apply, please review the Responsibilities and Qualifications tabs and continue to fill out the application on the following pages.
Responsibilities
PUPPY PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Care for the dog in a safe and loving household for a period of time, or periods of time, as determined by Paws for Purple Hearts.

Transport the dog to and from the Paws for Purple Hearts site, as requested, in order for the dog to participate in training with PPH trainers and veterans.

Provide food, water, toileting area, and appropriate toys for the dog while it is in your care.

Take the dog with you on public outings in order to expose him or her to new environments. If approved by PPH staff, the dog will have a “Service Dog in Training” vest that allows public access into areas where pets may normally be restricted (such as stores and restaurants).

Reinforce the dog’s training and, in some cases, teach new skills.

Attend Puppy Parent training meetings as required by Paws for Purple Hearts.

Submit regular Puppy Parent Reports to Paws for Purple Hearts as required.

Obtain veterinary services for the dog, if necessary and as requested by Paws for Purple Hearts, while in your care.

The schedule and length of time the puppy is in your care depends on the puppy, our needs, and your situation. Depending on these factors, a puppy parent schedule may look like one of these options:

Take the dog home for the weekday evenings and weekends. Drop the dog off at PPH in the morning for training and pick up the dog in the evening after training.

Take the dog home on the weekends and return the dog to PPH at the end of the weekend.

Take the dog home for other designated periods of time, such as during the holidays or for extended periods of time as needed.
Qualifications
PUPPY PARENT QUALIFICATIONS

Primary handler must have permission to take the dog to school or work or have someone available for the puppy every four hours at a minimum.

Primary handler must be able to drive and have access to a car. (Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis)

Handlers who are minors must have parental supervision.

Handlers must be able to transport the dog to and from the Paws for Purple Hearts site as requested.

Primary handler must own the home or have permission to have a dog in the home.

Home must be safe and able to be puppy proofed, with a safe outside area to potty train.

Handlers must be non-smokers or refrain from smoking around the dog, including in the house.

Household cannot have dogs under 2 years old in the home and no dogs with aggression or other behavior issues, such as reactivity, resource guarding, or dogs that are not potty trained.

All handlers must be mentally and physically capable of training the puppy, carrying the puppy, and handling problem behaviors.

All handlers must have the physical and mental capacity to provide consistent and stable care and training and ensure the dog is not at risk inside or outside of the home.

Primary handler and all members of household must be willing to utilize positive training methods, follow the Paws for Purple Hearts training method, and commit to socialization and potty training.

Primary handler must be willing and able to provide reports and attend training as requested by Paws for Purple Hearts.

Primary handler and all members of household must be committed to our mission to provide highly trained service dogs for service members and veterans with disabilities.

Experience with dogs preferred.
Puppy Parents must reside close enough to transport dogs to/from the PPH site on a daily or weekly basis. Please apply for a Puppy Parent position ONLY if you live close enough to a PPH site to meet these requirements.*
NOTE Ruther Glen, VA is not accepting applicants right now.
I have read and understand the Overview, Responsibilities, and Qualifications as detailed above.*
- I have read and understand the Overview, Responsibilities, and Qualifications as detailed above.

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Personal Information
Name*
First Last
Email
Are you a veteran or service member?*
- Yes
- No
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code
Daytime Phone*
Evening Phone
Cell Phone
How did you learn about Paws for Purple Hearts and our Puppy Parent Program?*
Why do you want to be a Puppy Parent for a service dog in training?*

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Handler Information
Primary Handler
Primary Handler*
First Last
Age*
Please enter a number from 18 to 80.
Occupation*
Do you, or does anyone in your household, smoke (cigarettes or marijuana)?*
- Yes
- No
Can you commit to refraining from smoking near the dog, including in your home?*
- Yes
- No
Secondary Handler
Secondary Handler
First Last
Age
Please enter a number from 18 to 80.
Occupation
Other Household Members
Household Member
First Name Last Name
Age
Occupation
Household Members
First Last
Age
Occupation
Household Members
First Last
Age
Occupation

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Commitment to Paws for Purple Hearts
Can you commit to attending PPH training sessions?*
(Session frequency and length may vary based on situation)
- Yes
- No
Can you commit to filling out reports on the dog’s behavior and experience?*
(Report submission timeline may vary based on situation)
- Yes
- No
Do you consent to pre-announced visits to your home by a PPH representative before and during the time the dog is in your care?*
- Yes
- No
Paws for Purple Hearts service dogs-in-training are male and female Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Golden/Labrador Retriever crosses, and may not be altered while in your care. Are you willing to parent a dog of any gender or breed?*
- Yes
- No
Please explain:*
References
Please provide contact information for someone we can contact as a reference.
Name*
First Last
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code
Phone*
Email*

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Volunteer Applicant Agreement and Liability Waiver
In anticipation that you will be accepted into Paws for Purple Hearts’ Puppy Parent program, please read and sign the agreement below. I authorize Paws for Purple Hearts to seek emergency medical treatment in case of an accident, injury, or illness. I understand that if I am injured while acting as an unpaid member of the volunteer staff that I am not covered by applicable state Worker’s Compensation Law. I understand that working with dogs involves risks, including possible injury, illness, death, damage to or destruction of property, and I choose to volunteer with Paws for Purple Hearts of my own free will with full knowledge and acceptance of those risks. I indemnify and hold harmless Paws For Purple Hearts from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities and damage to persons or property, expenses, costs and/or attorneys’ fees arising out of the acts or omissions of Paws For Purple Hearts, its directors, officers, agents or employees, and I agree that anything whatsoever that happens relating to the dogs, their training, or my volunteer work with dogs will not result in any claims against Paws For Purple Hearts, its directors, officers, agents or employees by me or anyone acting on my behalf for personal injuries or property damages. If I volunteer through the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”), Department of Defense (“DOD”), a state Veterans services department, or similar host organization, I understand and agree that any claims I may have that are related to the program will be referred to the host organization and that the host organization may, at its own discretion, pursue those claims further.
Application Consent*
First Last
I acknowledge that the information contained on this form is true and correct. I understand that any misrepresentation of facts may result in the removal of the PPH dog from my home.
Signature*
- By checking this box I affirm that the information contained on this form is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any misrepresentation of facts may result in the removal of the PPH dog from my home. I agree to abide by the requirements of the program to the best my ability and to enter into all agreements with PPH in good faith.
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

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Paws for Purple Hearts Puppy Parent Application

Step 1 of 8 - Overview

OVERVIEW OF POSITION

PUPPY PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

PUPPY PARENT QUALIFICATIONS

Personal Information

Handler Information

Other Household Members

Lifestyle and Routines

Please tell us about your schedule.

Please tell us about your household.

Dog Care Experience

Puppies

Current Pets

Dog Training Experience

Please tell us what life will be like with a service dog puppy.

Sleep, Exercise, and Socialization

Commitment to Paws for Purple Hearts

References

Volunteer Applicant Agreement and Liability Waiver