Canine Partners for Life (CPL), a nonprofit organization that trains and places service dogs that assist people with disabilities, is currently in need of volunteers to care for newborn puppies during their first eight weeks of life.

Volunteer shifts are typically four hours long, and volunteer support is needed 24 hours per day at CPL's Cochranville facility. "Our minimum age requirement is 12, but to be in the whelping room with the puppies you must be with someone who is age 18 or over," explained Amanda Walton, outreach and volunteer coordinator.

"For the first two to three weeks, someone must be with the mom and the puppies 24 hours," added Kirstin Downie, director of development and communications. "We like to monitor them. Mom sometimes does not realize that she is sitting on a puppy, and there are other things to do like cleaning the mats and making sure they have enough water."

On day three through day 16, volunteers also provide Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) activities. "They will hold the puppies in different positions and use a Q-tip on their paw pads and get them used to those different tactile feelings," Walton explained.

"It gets them desensitized to fear of human interaction and fear of human touch," added Downie. "We also have a CD player with a variety of sounds to start exposing them to that as well. It's about setting them up for success and exposing them early enough so we can dodge any fears (they have) or lack of confidence."

All volunteers receive training before they begin working with the dogs. "There is a multi-stage orientation and hands-on training," said Downie. "You also shadow someone before you set off on your own. We don't just put you in with the puppies."

Volunteers are especially needed in the overnight hours. "That is our greatest need for volunteers," said Downie. "They need to be here and stay awake. We do have safety measures in place. We have a camera that staff can access. The building is locked. We also have staff that live very close that can be here. If (volunteers) are concerned about the mom or puppies, there is an emergency phone that is always monitored."

Currently, volunteers, including Cathy Jones, are spending time with Fritzi, a Labrador retriever, who gave birth to six puppies in March. This is her third litter of puppies for CPL.

"I recruited my husband, Bret, to become a whelping volunteer as well," said Cathy. "It's so soothing and peaceful. I love the puppies, but to me the best part is loving on the mom."

Downie pointed out that volunteers can watch the animals go through the entire CPL training process, after which the dogs are matched with a person with a cognitive or physical disability.

"It's watching something amazing," she stated. "You get to know the dogs. You can follow them through the process. You can follow their path and see them graduate. That's why people are so passionate about volunteering here. They can see the direct impact they have. If (dogs) don't make it (as a service animal), they become amazing pets."

Walton added that CPL has to train approximately 60 to 80 puppies each year, so puppy whelping and enrichment volunteers are always needed. Prior dog handling and whelping experience is a plus but not required.

Those who are interested in becoming a whelping volunteer may visit http://www.k94life.org/volunteer to complete a volunteer application. Those with questions may email Walton at awalton@k94life.org.

CPL, located at 334 Faggs Manor Road, Cochranville has placed 800 service and companion dogs nationwide since 1989. CPL dogs provide assistance for people with a wide variety of disabilities, including spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, cerebral palsy, ALS, stroke, cardiac conditions, arthritis, spina bifida and Parkinson's disease. To learn more, visit http://www.k94life.org or http://www.facebook.com/CaninePartnersforLife.