Raising a puppy to become an assistance dog

Jen Pottheiser is a volunteer puppy trainer for Canine Companions for Independence (CCI). CCI is an organization that breeds, raises and trains dogs to one day become assistance dogs. The dogs are then placed free of charge with people with physical and mental handicaps other than blindness. Pottheiser's dog Callie, is a 16-month old golden retriever yellow lab mix. Puppy training gives the dog its initial exposure and experience to a variety of social situations. In fewer than two months, Callie will leave Pottheiser to begin boot camp at CCIs main campus in Medford, Long Island for skill training. Only 30 to 40 percent of the dogs completing the program will make the cut and be paired with someone in need. (Video by Andre Malok/The Star-Ledger)

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• cci
• canine
• dog
• assistance
• service
• training

[aenize4444]

i just got aproved to puppy raise a few days ago! i am so excited!

[Project2Heal]

Check out the video, "Puppies Trained to Help Children with Special Needs" on the Project2Heal channel. It is an amazing story for a great cause!

[Shaftsus]

@xxwaldo awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww­wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww­wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

[xxwaldo]

@Shaftsus I am currently raising puppy #2 for a similar organization called Guide Dogs for the Blind.

I loved my first dog so much. He was recalled a month ago, and I know he is going to do great things for someone else. It's not stupid to raise a dog so that it could one day help someone else, it is very rewarding and is worth every second. And the day my pup is paired with someone will be the happiest day of my life.

[ChocoSalmon]

@Shaftsus yeah but some people need those dogs

[Shaftsus]

awwwwww i think it's stupid to train a dog and get attached to it over a year then have to give it away : (