WORCESTER, Mass. - Dozer has begun his journey to become a service dog for Canine Companions.

The organization places expertly trained service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities, free of charge. ​Canine Companions is based in New York, but volunteer puppy raisers are from all over, including Kate O'Connor in Worcester. O'Connor got involved in 2017, after attending one of Canine Companions graduation ceremonies. 

"Once there I listened to all of the speakers. They were so inspiring and listening to the mission of Canine Companions and I said 'I have to become involved,'" O'Connor said. "So, I filled out my puppy raiser application the next day and my journey began."

​Since then, she has raised four puppies including Dozer, who will stay with O'Connor and her family until he is 18 months old. Afterward, Dozer will go to a regional training center for six to nine months to receive professional training. 

What You Need To Know

  • DogFest will be held this Sunday at Polar Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Canine Companions began in 1975 and has since graduated more than 6,000 service dogs
  • Dogs will stay with their volunteer puppy raiser until 18 months
  • They receive professional training for six to nine months before being placed in a home.

 

The organization's trainers say they start with basic training.

"We have to teach the dogs to walk nicely on a leash. Pet dogs that pull you down the street, we can't have that if someone's off balance or using a wheelchair," Marissa Guidoboni, Senior Instructor for Canine Companions, said.

"So the dogs start off as learning basics of sit when they're told, walking nicely on a leash and then we progress that walking next to wheelchairs, crutches, canes, and not just fetching a toy, but picking things up off the floor that might be important, like your keys or your credit card that someone would have to wait for another person to come and help them if they didn't have a service dog with them," Guidoboni said. 

O'Connor says while it's hard to say goodbye to the puppies after spending time with them for more than a year, the organization is in need of volunteers and it's rewarding to see the good they do once placed in a home.

"You see the outcomes these dogs have and how life changing it is for them," O'Connor said. "So you just have to keep doing it and keep raising these miracles."

On Sunday, Canine Companions will sponsor DogFest at Polar Park in Worcester. The event will feature service dog clients and demos and give people more information about getting involved. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.​

For more information you can visit the Canine Companions website.