We’ve interviewed puppy breeders, trainers, and handlers now it’s time to get the perspective from a puppy raiser. Kathy Zastrow with Canine Companions For Independence joins us to share her unique perspective on raising a puppy before handing it off to the training process. She shares so many surprises and family lessons learned as well as some of her memorable moments.
Episode Highlights
1:10 – Meet Kathy Zastrow puppy raiser for & Northwest Region Board Member with Canine Companions for Independence
2:45 – Volunteering for a new puppy with a catch!
4:15 – Kathy’s children learn a valuable lesson
7:00 – Family lessons learned raising puppies
10:30 – The kids continuing the legacy
11:30 – Introducing the program to Aiden the first puppy Kathy raised
15:00 – A trip to the grocery store wins over the principal
17:00 – Jared takes the dog on the school bus
19:30 – 5 types of Canine Companions for Independence service dogs
21:30 – Supporting Veterans with PSTD
24:00 – What the process for becoming a puppy raiser looks like
27:30 – The behaviors and training these puppies have
30:30 – The importance of socialization
32:00 – The funnest place Kathy has socialized a puppy
34:00 – Raising male puppies
37:00 – Placing a dog in the right job based on their personality
39:30 – What the transition from training to working looks like for the dogs
42:45 – Observing the unexpected path the dogs take
45:00 – Watching Monty work as a facility dog
48:15 – A dog goes down an unexpected path
53:00 – Prairie unexpectedly becomes the star of the class
56:30 – Colleen shares on Blake’s headstrong moments
59:30 – Kathy reflects on past placements & future plans
Links To References
Canine Companions For Independence