In Sacramento, a growing group of volunteer Puppy Raisers is discovering that the heart of puppy raising isn’t just about preparing future Service Dogs—it’s about the people who walk the journey together. At the center of Dogs for Better Lives’ emerging community in the area is Laura, a longtime Puppy Raiser whose experience, openness, and love for Golden Retrievers has helped bring volunteers together and build meaningful connections.
“I started raising after a friend who works at Dogs for Better Lives told me I could raise a Golden Retriever puppy,” Laura shared. “They’re my favorite breed, and I know I do really well with them.”
That chance to raise a breed she knows and loves made the transition feel natural, and it didn’t take long before her enthusiasm began to ripple outward.
The Sacramento Puppy Raiser group is still growing, but it is a deep well of experience. Many of the current raisers have years of puppy-raising knowledge, and Laura believes visibility has helped unite them.
Laura has a popular Instagram account, @goodasgoldens, where she shares her Puppy Raising journey. She’s currently documenting her adventures with DBL’s Sky.
“I think posting pictures of the puppies (Rooster, and now Sky) has helped to recruit volunteers,” she said. “It’s been really fun building this group and watching people reconnect through puppy raising.”
Training Together
Puppy Raisers pose after a class at the Aerospace Museum near Sacramento
What has truly solidified the group is the addition of regular local puppy classes, led by contract trainer Erin, who works directly with the Sacramento raisers. The first classes have already become a cornerstone of the community. “Having classes locally has been huge,” Laura said. “It’s great for the puppies, but it’s also a social outing for raisers and a really easy way to feel connected.”
Erin has been equally energized by the group.
“I love watching new Puppy Raisers as they learn new skills and develop a relationship with the puppy they are raising—and getting to be a part of those incredible ‘ah ha!’ moments when all the pieces of the puzzle come together and the human/canine partnership functions as one unit.”
Puppy class was held at Sacramento Metro Fire Station 28 recently, which was a fun outing for volunteers and firefighters alike
Those early classes have already shown the power of shared experience. Erin emphasized that puppy classes offer more than professional instruction—they provide reassurance. “Raisers get to see that they are not alone in the things they experience,” she explained.
“They may have felt like they were doing something wrong or that they weren’t up to the task. But seeing others and hearing what they’ve encountered can really help raisers work through challenges or prepare for what may come next.”
As both a professional trainer and a puppy raiser herself, Erin brings a unique and relatable perspective. “Puppy classes are an incredible opportunity—especially for new raisers—to get guidance from someone who is not only a professional dog trainer, but also a puppy raiser,” she said. “I have firsthand experience with the struggles that can come with raising a puppy and with training.
Community of Support
Beyond skills and socialization, Erin sees the long-term impact of community building.
“It’s a great place to meet like-minded people who are on the same journey you are on and to build lifelong friendships,” she shared. “Some of my closest and longest friendships came from puppy raising. Having a community to lean on—for puppy sitting or just moral support—can truly transform your puppy-raising experience.”
Laura agreed, saying, “People help with puppy sitting, transportation, outreach events—you never feel like you’re doing this alone.”
New Puppy Raiser, Jaya, finds the community as an essential support system as she embarks on this journey with her first puppy raising experience with Melroy.
“I love the support and help I get from the community. Coming in I knew there were others in the area, but meeting them was a lovely experience. I am proud to be a part of a community so dedicated to raising puppies who go on to bring joy to many others. Their knowledge and suggestions help me with become a better Puppy Raiser.”
Laura and Sky work on the “under” command during a puppy class with fellow Puppy Raisers in the Sacramento area. Raisers meet at various locations around the community that expose puppies to unique experiences.
Program leadership has been encouraged by what’s unfolding in the region. “The growth we’re seeing in the Sacramento area has been wonderful to watch,” said Michael King, DBL’s National Community Engagement Director. “What stands out most is how engaged and supportive the raisers are with one another. We’re committed to providing consistent training, staff support, and resources so volunteers feel confident and connected throughout their puppy-raising journey.”
For Laura, the experience has reinforced what she values most about puppy raising.
“I definitely came to puppy raising for the puppies, but I stayed for the people,” she said.
That sense of belonging is something she hopes will continue to grow as more volunteers join the Sacramento community.
To those considering becoming a Puppy Raiser, Laura offers heartfelt encouragement. “Give it a shot. It’s only about a year commitment, and we get some pretty adorable puppies along with a lot of support.” While she hasn’t experienced a graduation with Dogs for Better Lives yet, she’s already looking ahead. “I’m really hoping Rooster will graduate soon.”
As the Sacramento Puppy Raiser community continues to grow, it’s clear that its strength lies not only in the dogs being raised, but in the relationships being built—one class, one puppy, and one shared experience at a time.
Learn more about Puppy Raising and apply at dogsforbetterlives.org/puppy-raiser
