For volunteer Puppy Raiser Karla, the decision to raise future Service Dogs began long before Peak entered her life. It started with witnessing the life-changing impact these dogs have on the people who need them most.
“When I lived in Virginia, I was fortunate to work as a client liaison for a Service Dog organization,” Karla recalls. “I worked closely with the clients from the start of their application to the receiving of their dog. I was able to see, up front and personal, the difference a dog can make in a person’s life.” Those experiences left a lasting impression.
“I saw how a dog can literally be life-changing for someone,” she says. “That was and is my motivation for raising.”
Today, Karla channels that motivation into raising Peak, a promising young puppy from Dogs for Better Lives whose journey has already become deeply personal
A Puppy Who Chose His Person
Karla and Peak
One of Karla’s dear friends, Lisa, is a Breeder Caretaker for Peak’s mother, Lilli. Through that connection, Karla was able to help care for the puppies from the time they were just a few days old and up until they were ready placed with their Puppy Raisers.
For Karla, one puppy stood out immediately.
“Peak ‘spoke’ to me from day one,” she says. “I like to say he chose me!”
That early connection has blossomed into a strong partnership built on trust, training, and plenty of shared adventures.
A Day in the Life of a Future Service Dog
Peak’s days are carefully structured to help him develop the skills and confidence he’ll need for the future.
“A typical day starts about 6 a.m.,” Karla says. “Peak goes to the gym with me and after gym, mornings are our grooming time—nails, body handling, etc.”
Afterward, Peak enjoys some crate time while Karla exercises her other dogs. Later in the morning, the focus shifts to training and socialization before lunch and another well-earned nap.
The afternoons are often dedicated to simply being a puppy. “He loves playing with my other dogs, being outside with me, etc.,” Karla says. “Puppies are like babies—they need their naps and their schedule!”
While every day includes learning opportunities, one aspect of the experience has surprised Karla more than anything else.
“What has surprised me the most as a raiser is how smart these puppies are!” she says. “They learn so quickly—they want to learn! I think DBL has done a great job with their breeding program.”
For Karla, that eagerness to learn is one of the most rewarding parts of the puppy-raising journey.
Celebrating the Little Victories
Ask Karla about her favorite moments, and she immediately points to training milestones.
“My rewarding times come through Peak’s training,” she says. “When he masters a task or a behavior, I am always so proud of him!”
Peak while in his breeder caretaker home
Those successes are the result of consistency, patience, and a willingness to adapt. Over the years, Karla has learned that no two puppies are exactly alike. “I try to remember that every puppy is an individual,” she explains. “Sometimes training and socialization has to be changed or backed up or simplified or approached differently or presented in a different manner than the last puppy—all in an effort to set the current puppy up for success.”
Rather than viewing those differences as obstacles, Karla sees them as opportunities to grow.
A Commitment That Changes Your Life
Karla has adjusted her daily routine around Peak’s schedule, training needs, and development. Yet she wouldn’t have it any other way. “For me, it does affect my daily life and routine as now my routine is scheduled around Peak,” she says. What makes that commitment worthwhile is the bond that develops along the way.
“I form a very strong bond with my puppies—it is a strong relationship that I treasure.”
Trusting the Journey
Peak on a training outing with Karla
As Peak grows and progresses, Karla’s hopes for his future are refreshingly simple.
“My hope for Peak is that he finds HIS path—whatever that is and whatever will make him the happiest!”
For those who have considered becoming a volunteer puppy raiser but haven’t yet taken the leap, Karla offers practical advice—and encouragement.
“Research the organization,” she says. “DBL has been very supportive! Talk to other puppy raisers and get as much info as you can.” She is also honest about the commitment involved.
“Raising a puppy is a big commitment in many ways, and yes, it is very hard to turn them in,” she says. “But the rewards one receives in return are boundless!”
Her journey with Peak is a testament to that truth. Every early morning, every training session, every milestone achieved brings him one step closer to fulfilling his potential—and one step closer to making a lasting difference in someone’s life. And for Karla, that’s exactly why she raises.
Are you interested in becoming a Breeder Caretaker or Puppy Raiser? Visit dogsforbetterlives.org/get-involved to learn more and apply.
