At Dogs for Better Lives (DBL), the journey of a Service Dog begins with the compassion and dedication of our volunteer Puppy Raisers—individuals who open their homes and hearts to help shape the future of a life-changing Service Dog. Today, we’re proud to feature Jenna and her unforgettable experience raising Rocky, a joyful and attentive black lab puppy who is now in training at our West Campus.
A Family Project
Jenna and her children pose with Rocky on their first day together
Jenna describes Rocky as an exceptional companion who quickly became a beloved part of her family. “The thing we love most about Rocky is that he’s just such a great dog. He’s calm, happy-go-lucky, silly, and attentive to his humans. He does a great job adjusting his mood to his people. If we’re silly, he’s silly. If someone’s upset, he’s going to lay down next to them. Feeling sleepy? So is Rocky!”
Some of Jenna’s favorite memories of Rocky come from watching him connect with her kids.
“When we were working on crate training, the kids were worried he was whining, so they read him books until he fell asleep. Or when my son put his feet on him in the middle of a tantrum and almost immediately began to calm down. And I loved seeing them exploring the yard together on a sunny afternoon or running through the sprinklers,” said Jenna.
The Right Time to Volunteer
Jenna’s decision to become a Puppy Raiser was rooted in her admiration for DBL and the right timing for her family. “Dogs for Better Lives is located in a beautiful area right next to some great hiking trails that I used to frequent in high school. I always thought it was cool that we had an organization like DBL in our area and filed it away on the back burner. Shortly after college, I had a friend who raised two puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind, which turned the heat up on the burner a little bit. When our former dog passed away just shy of 16, I felt like we were ready for a new challenge and reached out to DBL. It wasn’t long until we were matched with Rocky,” said Jenna.
Rocky cools off on the beach during a summer outing with Jenna’s family
Rocky celebrates Halloween with Jenna’s children
For Jenna, the bittersweet moment of saying goodbye to Rocky is eased by keeping the bigger picture in mind.
“It’s a bit of a mindset shift. Instead of thinking that this is your puppy forever and ever, I think of it more as a teacher situation. Just like a kindergarten teacher receives a precious child at the start of each school year to teach, love, and nurture, we too received a little puppy to teach and love and nurture. And at the end of the day, the goal is to pass him on to bigger and better things. And, yes, we miss him. But we look forward to seeing what he accomplishes and whose life he changes,” she said.
Being close to DBL’s West Campus gave Jenna access to invaluable resources and support. “We’ve been very blessed to live close to the DBL campus. We were able to attend all our puppy classes there, free of charge, as well as receiving minor routine and preventative vet care. In addition, Donna was available whenever we needed her for questions or advice, and the rest of the staff was very friendly and welcoming. We enjoyed attending community outreach events and really becoming part of the DBL community.”
Finding Pride through Challenges
Jenna’s family with Rocky as he graduates the Puppy Raising Program
Raising Rocky wasn’t always easy, but the rewards of the experience far outweighed the challenges.
“I think one of the rewards of puppy raising is the return on effort and investment. We received Rocky at 11 weeks, and he was so, so cute. But he was a puppy. He nipped, he peed, he cried at night, he jumped, he pulled on the leash. But through the training techniques we learned at DBL, he quickly began to shape up into a model dog. In just a few short months, I could take him out in public, and he would do his vest proud! I can’t wait to see what he accomplishes next.”
Jenna and her family are proud of Rocky and excited for his future as a Service Dog.
“We received Rocky knowing that our efforts could help someone in need. Watching his transformation and knowing he’ll go on to make a difference is the most fulfilling part.”
This February, as we celebrate Puppy Love Month, Jenna’s story reminds us of the impact Puppy Raisers have on both the puppies they raise and the lives those dogs will one day change.
If you’ve ever thought about becoming a Puppy Raiser, Jenna offers this advice: “It’s a unique and rewarding experience that makes a real impact. Yes, it’s hard to say goodbye, but knowing you’ve played a part in changing someone’s life makes it all worthwhile.”
To learn more about becoming a Puppy Raiser, visit dogsforbetterlives.org/puppy-raiser
