Leader Dogs for the Blind is looking for volunteers willing to spend the next several months raising a future guide dog, and the Rochester Hills nonprofit says the need is urgent.

A large wave of Labrador retriever and Labrador-golden retriever cross puppies is arriving at the organization's campus at 1039 S. Rochester Road in August and September, according to a recruitment post published Aug. 20 by Leader Dog staff writer Mariana Clack. The organization needs families and individuals to take the dogs home, teach them foundational skills and prepare them for careers guiding people who are blind or have low vision.

No prior dog-training experience is required.

Puppy raisers teach basics: sit, stay, down, leash walking, navigating unfamiliar environments and polite behavior in public. Each volunteer is paired with a dedicated puppy counselor and attends monthly hands-on classes at the Rochester Hills campus, according to the organization's volunteer page. Leader Dog provides training materials, an online manual and a network of fellow raisers.

The time commitment ranges from six to 15 months depending on the raising model. Options include one-household raising (12 to 15 months), co-raising between two homes, a pass-along model that splits the term into two six-month stints, a campus program for college students and a corporate track for employers. Rochester Hills-based engineering firm Spalding DeDecker participated in the corporate program in 2024, raising a puppy named Ginny.

Volunteers pick up their puppy directly from Leader Dog's campus. The primary raiser must be at least 18, though children can attend puppy classes alongside the adult. Raisers provide food and toys; veterinary care is free at Leader Dog's on-campus clinic for those who live close enough to use it. All of Leader Dog's client services are provided at no cost, funded entirely by donations.

Vijay Joshi, Leader Dog's manager of raiser and host experience, said in a November 2025 press release recruiting raisers for a similar wave of 65 puppies: "Their impact reaches far beyond that first year; they help someone gain independence."

The Rochester Lions Club, which has served as Leader Dog's "home club" since the organization's founding in 1939, regularly raises funds through events including the Festival of Cars at Rochester Municipal Park.

Interested residents can apply at LeaderDog.org/Volunteer or call 888-777-5332.

Coming up: Leader Dog hosts a virtual group meeting for families, friends and supporters of people who are blind on Monday, Sept. 14. The session is open to anyone interested in learning more about blindness and how to provide meaningful support.