Raising a future Service Dog is a unique and rewarding experience, and for first-time Puppy Raiser Jess, it’s been all that and more. Since welcoming Charity into her home when she was just eight weeks old, Jess has embraced every moment of their journey together. Sponsored and named by the generous members of BPO Does, Charity is now five months old and well on her way to becoming a life-changing Service Dog.
A Fearless and Lovable Pup
Jess enjoysCha snuggle time with Charity. One of the added benefits of Puppy Raising for Jess has been Charity’s companionship.
“Every day is an adventure with her,” Jess shares. “One particularly memorable occasion was within a few days of bringing her home. She is a fearless little thing and is confident and curious in everything she does. I have a pool in my backyard. I never left her alone in the backyard to make sure she was safe, but I never expected her to just fearlessly jump in the deep end and start swimming around at 8 weeks old. To be honest, I panicked a little, after all, I want to be a good Puppy Raiser, and this didn’t seem like a good start. Anyway, I quickly fished her out. She was happy as could be with her tail wagging and ready to jump back in.”
From her natural swimming skills to her love of training, Charity continues to amaze Jess.
“When she learned the command ‘down,’ she picked it up very quickly. Usually within just a few tries, she likes to do them without being asked to see if she can get some love and treats. She would run up to me and throw herself down in a very clumsy way and then look up with a sweet look that seemed to say, ‘See! I did it!'” Jess recalled.
“Charity is so sweet and intelligent, tries so hard to please, and her puppy enthusiasm and energy are contagious,” said Jess.
Finding Purpose Through Puppy Raising
Charity meets new friends as part of her socialization training with Jess.
Jess’s journey to becoming a Puppy Raiser began during a time of transition in her life.
“I’ve always had a heart for animals and volunteering, and after a big life change that left me with a lot of free time, I was on the hunt for a new way to make a difference. I didn’t even realize puppy raising was a thing, but I stumbled across it on volunteermatch.org, and I thought it was the perfect opportunity for me. It’s been a wonderful experience and everything I envisioned,” she said.
Having Charity has had more benefits than Jess originally expected. “Interestingly enough, while I did this to give back and have a purpose, having Charity in my life as a companion has been a true blessing.”
Saying Goodbye
When people tell Jess, “I could never give them up,” she responds with both honesty and perspective. “For me, it was not something I was initially worried about. I like to travel and loved the idea of raising a puppy for a great cause without the life-long commitment. It is the perfect scenario for me. As I’ve gotten to know Charity, I’ve become quite attached to her and it will be difficult to say goodbye,” said Jess.
Charity finds a unique spot to relax in Jess’s home
Jess does her best to keep perspective on saying goodbye, since she hasn’t been through it yet.
“To know that I helped raise Charity in a loving environment so that she can hopefully go on to change lives is something that will help me transcend that feeling of not wanting to let her go. It’s been a deeply rewarding experience.”
She adds, “after all, you can always get another pup and do it all over again!”
Support Every Step of the Way
Jess credits the team at Dogs for Better Lives for their guidance and encouragement. “The DBL team has been a wonderful support through this entire process. Everyone I talk to has been helpful, supportive, and responsive. All the tips and training were extremely helpful. I never used so many treats to train a dog before, but it has worked so well. Charity will pretty much do anything or ignore anything for a treat. It’s such a positive way to train and also gets quick results.”
The Reward of Raising Charity
As a first-time Puppy Raiser, it’s easy for Jess to see multiple benefits of puppy raising. “The most rewarding has been Charity’s companionship for sure. For me, she has just made everyday life fun and more rewarding. From her sleeping at my feet to all her silly antics during the day to our outings to the park or store.”
One surprising reward has been the connections that Charity has helped make with people they meet.
Jess said, “Everyone wants to meet Charity and talk to me about her. I’ve heard many heartwarming stories from people, whether about themselves or a loved one. One day, I was walking down a busy road with Charity, and an Amazon driver pulled over to talk to us. He shared with me that he had a debilitating mental disorder and was wondering if a dog like Charity might be able to help him. It was very touching. He was being very vulnerable about very private matters and in search of help. We chatted for a bit, and I directed him to DBL’s website to check it out. That’s when it all comes together.”
“Charity may only be a puppy right now, but this is her destiny: to help bring joy and love to people in need. It’s awesome to be a part of her journey,” said Jess.
Become a Puppy Raiser
Jess’s journey with Charity highlights the joy and impact of raising a future Service Dog. Puppy Raisers like Jess play a critical role in shaping Service Dogs that will one day change lives.
Charity was named by generous donors, BPO Does. DBL is always seeking Puppy Raisers to raise future Service Dogs who will go on to support a person with disabilities – at zero cost to the client.
If you’re ready to make a difference and experience the joy of raising a future Service Dog, visit dogsforbetterlives.org to learn more about the Puppy Raising program.
