For Laura, raising Service Dog puppies has been a passion for more than two decades—and her latest puppy, Rooster, was no exception. “I love Golden Retrievers, and when I had the opportunity to raise one for Dogs for Better Lives, I decided to try out a new organization,” she says. “Rooster is the 16th puppy that I have raised.”
Laura and Rooster post during their final month together. Photo credit: Still Fragments
Rooster brought a fresh burst of energy to Laura’s experience. “He is much more energetic than any of my previous 15 puppies, which made for some fun training sessions. The communication with Dogs for Better Lives staff has been exceptional, and I have enjoyed this experience,” she shares.
What Laura loves most about puppy raising is watching the puppies learn.
“When I am teaching them something and it clicks for them—that is always my favorite part. It’s also a lot of fun to have a puppy at the end of the leash on adventures around town.”
Laura’s gave Rooster a “good luck tour” in their last month together before he turned in for professional training. Together they visited local stores that supported his journey and shared his playful personality with fans worldwide on Instagram. “People fell in love with his adorable morning greetings and fun personality. One of Rooster’s favorite places to play is the beach, and I made sure he got some beach time before he went off to training!”
As Rooster goes through formal training, Laura hopes he finds the path that suits him best. “I hope that Rooster enjoys training with his trainer and finds his perfect match.”
For those considering becoming a Puppy Raiser, Laura offers encouraging advice:
“Puppy Raising has been one of the greatest joys of my life. If you are thinking about raising, definitely give it a shot. It’s a little over a year commitment, and it goes by very fast. And the heartbreak of turning in a puppy? Get another one—you’ll find it’s worth it!”
Laura takes her own advice to heart. Just a few weeks after Rooster returned to DBL’s West Campus for professional training, Laura welcomed another Golden Retriever puppy named Sky – her 17th puppy and 2nd for DBL. Laura’s Instagram account is dedicated to sharing her Puppy Raising journey, so follow @goodasgoldens to watch Sky’s journey.
Are you interested in a fun and rewarding volunteer opportunity that brings puppy love and gives someone the ultimate gift of independence? Learn more about Puppy Raising and apply today: dogsforbetterlives.org/puppy-raiser
