Even Heroes Need Heroes
We are committed to uniting service dogs with military veterans. We do this by generating awareness of the benefits of service dogs, and hosting fundraisers throughout the year so we can help sponsor their training. Thanks to the continuous generosity of our pet parents and community supporters, we're making an impact.
We're honored to highlight our furry, four-legged heroes who have graduated from training as loyal, hardworking companions for the brave men and women who served our country. It's hard work to become a service dog for a veteran and only the best make the cut. The need for service dogs among veterans is great and with your support, we hope to sponsor many more.
MEET OUR SERVICE DOGS
Jewel
Canine Companions
Dogtopia of Lafayette's First Service Dog For A Veteran!
We met our goal of raising $6,000 to sponsor a service dog for a Veteran through our Dogtopia Foundation partnership with Canine Companions.
August 2024:
We would like to introduce you to Jewel. Jewel has been specially trained to assist a veteran living with a disability by helping with daily tasks including turning on lights, retrieving dropped items or interrupting anxiety.
Born into the nurturing care of a volunteer breeder caretaker in Northern California, Jewel has embarked on a journey of purpose! At just eight weeks old, Jewel was placed with a dedicated volunteer puppy raiser in Denver, Colorado. During her time with her puppy raiser, Jewel receives a safe environment, attends puppy classes, learns essential skills, and experiences various socialization opportunities, all of which prepare her to one day transform lives.
It’s a long journey for puppies with a purpose, like Jewel, but they are making all the difference for our veterans.
Stay tuned for more updates on Jewel!
September 2024:
The journey of future service dog, Jewel, continues to unfold!
During her time with her dedicated volunteer puppy raiser in Denver, Colorado, Jewel has mastered crucial foundational cues, laying a strong groundwork for her upcoming professional training. She has been exposed to new experiences, from bustling train rides and movie theaters to various animals, office environments, and school environments with children. Each interaction has contributed to Jewel’s growth and readiness for the next phase.
Under the guidance of her puppy raiser, Jewel has thrived in an environment filled with socialization, puppy classes, enriching playtime, and, of course, boundless affection! Now, she is ready to embark on her journey into professional training, where she will collaborate closely with one of Canine Companions expert trainers to master the 45 essential tasks she will perform as a service dog.
As Jewel transitions into this new chapter, we wish Jewel good luck in her next journey and can’t wait to see what professional training holds for her.
October 2024:
Not long ago, Canine Companions adorable puppy, Jewel, embarked on her remarkable journey towards becoming a service dog. In those early days, Jewel was a whirlwind of boundless energy, eagerly discovering the world around her. Under the dedicated guidance of her puppy raiser, she was prepared for the next stage of her journey – professional training.
With tears of joy, Jewel’s loving puppy raisers, Emilia and Amber, entrusted the leash to the capable hands of professional trainer Amy at the Southwest Regional Training Center in Oceanside, California. Over the course of the next months, Amy diligently worked with Jewel, preparing her with the skills she needed to become an expertly trained service dog.
Throughout her professional training, Jewel honed her skills, mastering tasks such as retrieving dropped items, opening doors, and providing assistance with anxiety. Thanks to Amy’s efforts, Jewel now excels in her duties not only at home but also in public settings such as movie theaters, grocery stores, and office environments. Jewel also received comprehensive medical and temperamental testing to ensure that she will be healthy and happy in her upcoming role. It takes an exceptional dog to graduate as a service dog. They must be highly proficient in the trained tasks that help provide independence to a person with a disability.
Dogtopia of Lafayette's First Service Dog For A Veteran!
We met our goal of raising $6,000 to sponsor a service dog for a Veteran through our Dogtopia Foundation partnership with Canine Companions.
August 2024:
We would like to introduce you to Jewel. Jewel has been specially trained to assist a veteran living with a disability by helping with daily tasks including turning on lights, retrieving dropped items or interrupting anxiety.
Born into the nurturing care of a volunteer breeder caretaker in Northern California, Jewel has embarked on a journey of purpose! At just eight weeks old, Jewel was placed with a dedicated volunteer puppy raiser in Denver, Colorado. During her time with her puppy raiser, Jewel receives a safe environment, attends puppy classes, learns essential skills, and experiences various socialization opportunities, all of which prepare her to one day transform lives.
It’s a long journey for puppies with a purpose, like Jewel, but they are making all the difference for our veterans.
Stay tuned for more updates on Jewel!
September 2024:
The journey of future service dog, Jewel, continues to unfold!
During her time with her dedicated volunteer puppy raiser in Denver, Colorado, Jewel has mastered crucial foundational cues, laying a strong groundwork for her upcoming professional training. She has been exposed to new experiences, from bustling train rides and movie theaters to various animals, office environments, and school environments with children. Each interaction has contributed to Jewel’s growth and readiness for the next phase.
Under the guidance of her puppy raiser, Jewel has thrived in an environment filled with socialization, puppy classes, enriching playtime, and, of course, boundless affection! Now, she is ready to embark on her journey into professional training, where she will collaborate closely with one of Canine Companions expert trainers to master the 45 essential tasks she will perform as a service dog.
As Jewel transitions into this new chapter, we wish Jewel good luck in her next journey and can’t wait to see what professional training holds for her.
October 2024:
Not long ago, Canine Companions adorable puppy, Jewel, embarked on her remarkable journey towards becoming a service dog. In those early days, Jewel was a whirlwind of boundless energy, eagerly discovering the world around her. Under the dedicated guidance of her puppy raiser, she was prepared for the next stage of her journey – professional training.
With tears of joy, Jewel’s loving puppy raisers, Emilia and Amber, entrusted the leash to the capable hands of professional trainer Amy at the Southwest Regional Training Center in Oceanside, California. Over the course of the next months, Amy diligently worked with Jewel, preparing her with the skills she needed to become an expertly trained service dog.
Throughout her professional training, Jewel honed her skills, mastering tasks such as retrieving dropped items, opening doors, and providing assistance with anxiety. Thanks to Amy’s efforts, Jewel now excels in her duties not only at home but also in public settings such as movie theaters, grocery stores, and office environments. Jewel also received comprehensive medical and temperamental testing to ensure that she will be healthy and happy in her upcoming role. It takes an exceptional dog to graduate as a service dog. They must be highly proficient in the trained tasks that help provide independence to a person with a disability.
