SOCIALIZATION PROGRAM
The socialization program begins with the selection of a puppy at the age of 6 to 8 weeks and testing its hereditary predispositions.
Socialization involves raising the puppy into a mature individual with a fully developed personality, accustomed to all environments and circumstances that the future assistance dog user may encounter.
During the socialization process, the Silver Center provides professional assistance to families and covers all expenses for the dog's food, equipment, and medical treatment.
The socialization program includes continuous care for the volunteer families of socializers and puppies placed in families from 2 to 16 months of age, or until they enter the training program.
After completing the socialization program, breeding dogs remain placed in the volunteer family. Female breeding dogs stay in the program until they are eight years old or until their fourth litter, after which they are retired.
When the dog goes for training, the family's contact with the dog continues through joint gatherings on weekends.
If you believe your family is the right environment for socializing a dog that will be a daily companion and essential help for a person with a disability, join us and contact us by phone/fax at 01/2394 450 or by email at centar.silver@czrs.hr.
SIGN UP AND BECOME A SOCIALIZER
In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and the Act on the Implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation, the Silver Rehabilitation Center is committed to protecting the privacy and personal data of its clients, employees, business partners, and volunteers.
THROUGH THE EYES OF A SOCIALIZER
Why become a service dog socializer? The benefit of socialization is not just about having a dog. You become a member, a volunteer, part of a Silver group of people who love helping others. We are a special community of people, and no matter how different we are, we share one common link – our love for animals, but with the purpose of helping another human being. I've been a socializer for 5 years, a member of many groups, but being a member of the Silver socializers is something special. We are Ivan, Vili, Oto, Erik, and Sonja – the guardians and socializers of future service dogs. Give it a try yourself!
Why become a service dog socializer? Losing a dog is one of the hardest emotions we've experienced, and our Silver story begins precisely with that. We said goodbye to our family pet, a Labrador. He was with us for 10 years, a member of our family, our loyal friend, and an endless source of love. Without him, we were left with emptiness and indescribable sadness. The empty bed, no more wet nose waking us up in the morning, and no one jumping with joy when we return from work/school. We said to ourselves, "never again." By chance, through a TV show, we discovered the Silver Rehabilitation Center and went for an informational meeting. After learning about the work of the Center and understanding what a service dog means to a user – nothing was the same. Without much thought, guided by our own intuition, we joined the volunteering program as socializers for a future service dog. The Silver Center, in addition to breeding dogs, occasionally exchanges genetic material by importing dogs from other foreign schools. And so, our adorable, smart little nose – Vero – arrived from distant Ireland. His presence and the understanding of his value bring us peace, and his unconditional love heals us in ways words can't express. They say the hardest part about losing a pet usually passes within six months to a year. No, we weren't ready, and no dog will ever replace him. Of course, we miss him, but he would have missed us no matter what we did. That's why we offered a temporary home to another dog who will one day help someone, and perhaps even become a Silver dad. The memories of our beloved dog, our pet, will always remain with us, and the new little nose that has entered our lives brings a new dimension of happiness and gives us love that surpasses the loss. I am Petra, a socializer of a future service dog.
Why become a service dog socializer? … I wasn't sure if, with a child who has developmental challenges and desperately wants a dog, I could take on the responsibility of a living being for 10-15 years. So, "a dog in temporary care" is the perfect solution! The support from Silver and other socializers is priceless. For example, I greatly appreciate the help in taking care of the dog during business trips and/or vacations when I can't bring the dog with me. My advice to new socializers would be that they can do it, with this kind of support that I have, meaning not to be afraid of ruining the dog or ending up in a tough spot. And something that many people ask me, and I don't know the answer to yet, but there are those who do... "How will you part with the dog, don't you love him, how can you, I wouldn't be able to do it..." I keep telling myself and my child from the start that we can do it, and we'll see when that time comes. I'll let you know when that moment arrives... But the very realization that I can help someone else, who needs that dog more than we do, and that our parting from the dog is proof that we succeeded, is what keeps me going. So, I've shared all my struggles with you now. I am Andreja, a socializer of a future service dog.
Why become a service dog socializer? I think the socializer story happens to all of us by accident, without knowing what we're getting ourselves into. I, for example, accidentally came across an article in the newspaper 5 years ago. And I met my first Silver love – Frida. I had dogs before, including Frida's then sister of a different breed, a roommate, and a partner in household mischief – my Gea, but Silver dogs, from the start, somehow love you in a special way. Labradors are silly. Clumsy little terminators. And in the end, good giants. They love you endlessly, follow you everywhere, and rejoice in every moment spent with you as if it were the last. But this story isn't beautiful just because of that. Being a socializer is happiness and privilege. Happiness because through the love and joy that follows you on four paws for a year and a half, you get the chance to meet wonderful people with whom your paths would probably never cross. Schools, hangouts, friendships. Privilege because it's an opportunity to help raise a service dog, through that volunteer love, that will make someone's life easier and brighter (whether they succeed in the program or not). The advantage of the red vest is that the dog doesn't have to wait at home until you get back from work, but can join you. And so, my girls (and occasional backups) have been going to work every day for years, and they... they bring a morning smile to the faces of my colleagues and break the usual office monotony with their antics and charm. Our dog family is a bit of a special Silver story because it includes three future service dogs – Gracie, Priya, and, recently, little Hakka. My first love stayed with me as a future Silver mom (and I became a Guardian – a keeper of Silver's legacy), and one litter after another, one of her princesses joined us on the journey of socialization. We don't think about farewells, we just enjoy the journey together. When I look at them like this, I'm grateful and happy that they're here, each special and silly in their own way. I am Damir, a guardian and socializer of future service dogs.
Why become a service dog socializer? The story goes something like this: my daughter wanted a dog, and I knew that most of the responsibility for the dog would fall on me, so I hesitated in making the decision to get one. By chance, I saw a call for new socializers on social media and realized it would be the perfect opportunity to see if we were ready for a dog and if the dog was right for us, as well as to prepare him for someone who, due to a health condition, is unable to socialize him and thus do a good deed. What further encouraged us was the fact that we had the full support of the CZR Silver throughout the socialization period, as well as the help of experienced socializers, plus veterinary care and food expenses were covered. Of course, despite the challenges of raising a puppy, it quickly became love at first sight, which continues to this day, even after the dog went to his user. The dog taught us patience, selflessness, and consistency, while also making us get to know ourselves better. If it hadn't been for him, we would have missed many unforgettable experiences and some great friendships that happened because of him. Saying goodbye to the dog? Incredibly sad, until we saw how happy he is with his user. "I could never do that" turns into "I can, because I'm doing something truly great." We are Ika and Ana, socializers of a service dog. Try it yourself
Why become a service dog socializer? Learning about dogs and a lot of learning about myself. Developing dog training competencies. Learning patience, not getting upset over silly things (like labrador glitter / hair everywhere, hehe). Connecting with people on the street and beyond, sharing interests with passersby. The feeling of contributing to spreading information and raising awareness about how dogs can support people. I'd like to emphasize that we have an amazing team available to us in a way that no mentor has ever been available in any job (sometimes when I realize we call the coordinator at some odd hour, I realize it's their job, but as socializers, we feel like we're being cared for as if they're family)... and the best part, LOTS of cuddling and playing with the dog. I am Iva, a socializer of a future service dog. Try it yourself!
Why become a service dog socializer? I've always wanted to have a pet, but before deciding to get my own dog, I wanted to learn more about dog training and what they truly mean. Since I've known about socialization from a young age (thanks to the show "Pets"), I decided to test myself to see if I was suitable to be a dog owner. Socialization was a great stepping stone for me, a space where I have support, guidance, and education... And here I am, 8 years later – I don't have my own dog, but I have dozens of dogs (both as a socializer and as an aunt for the Silver Center). I am absolutely sure I would be a good dog owner, but I decided to be selfish and not just have one dog, but dozens, and as a result, dozens of people today are more independent, happier, and have someone they can rely on – their service dog. On top of that, service dog socialization allows me to never leave the dog alone at home – they go with me wherever I go. And as an added bonus, wherever I go with my dogs in socialization, people are interested in who these service dogs are, how to behave around them, and why they are so important. And so, we kill three birds with one stone – I have a dog, the dog is socialized, and the public learns about service dogs! Win win win for me. I am Ilonka, a socializer of future service dogs! Try it yourself.