by Tamiko Teshima, M.A., CCC-SLP
Practice Owner and Speech-Language Pathologist
Duncan Lake Speech Therapy, LLC
When Ace, a golden retriever/yellow Labrador mix, and Magee, a black Lab, first came into my home, they were more than just puppies—they were future service dogs in training. As a volunteer Paws With a Cause puppy raiser, I had the privilege of being part of their journey, preparing them for a life dedicated to helping someone in need.
With Ace coming back into our home for a while, I thought I’d take a moment to explain more about Paws With a Cause and what it means to be a puppy raiser for them!
What is Paws With a Cause?
Paws With a Cause is a nonprofit organization that raises and trains assistance dogs to enhance the independence and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. They work with clients who have mobility challenges, hearing loss, medical needs, and even children with autism. These dogs are more than companions; they’re trained to perform specific tasks that support their handler’s daily life.
The Role of a Puppy Raiser
As a puppy raiser, my job wasn’t to train Ace and Magee for their full service dog role (THANKFULLY). That specialized training happens after the puppy returns to Paws With a Cause. Instead, I was responsible for laying the foundation:
- Socialization: Exposing him to different environments, people, and experiences so he would grow into a confident and adaptable dog. Both dogs came with me EVERYWHERE (even to business class in Magee’s case)!
- Basic Obedience: Teaching fundamental commands like sit, stay, and loose-leash walking.
- House Manners: Helping them to learn to settle calmly, ignore distractions, and behave appropriately in public spaces.
This meant bringing Ace and Magee everywhere—stores, parks, appointments—so he could get used to navigating the world with a future handler in mind.
But Tami, why are you doing this?!
At Duncan Lake Speech Therapy, we believe in supporting accessibility in all its forms, and that includes the incredible work of service animals. That’s why I became a volunteer puppy raiser for Paws With a Cause.
I’ve always had a deep appreciation for service animals and the life-changing support they provide. As a speech-language pathologist, I also value the role that animal-assisted therapy can play in fostering communication, emotional regulation, and engagement. While the puppies I help raise don’t necessarily get to do therapy here at DLST, I love knowing that, someday, they might become working service dogs—helping someone gain independence, connection, and confidence.
Paws provides an incredible foundation for these future service dogs, and I’m grateful to play a small part in their journey. Raising a service dog isn’t just about teaching commands—it’s about nurturing confidence, socialization, and the adaptability they’ll need to serve their future handlers.
The Challenges and Rewards
Raising a service puppy is an incredible experience, but it’s also a lesson in patience and selflessness. In Ace’s case, it was also a lesson in not buying nice things! There were plenty of moments of frustration (because, yes, even future service dogs get into mischief). But seeing these puppers grow in confidence and ability was deeply rewarding.
The hardest part? Saying goodbye. After a year of love and training, Ace and Magee returned to Paws With a Cause to begin their next phase of training. Letting go wasn’t easy, but I knew they were on their way to making a real difference in someone’s life.
Why It Matters
Service dogs provide life-changing support to their handlers, and being a small part of that process was incredibly meaningful. Paws With a Cause relies on volunteers like me to help raise and socialize these dogs, ensuring they’re ready to serve when the time comes.
If you’ve ever thought about raising a future service dog, I can’t recommend it enough! It’s a commitment, but it’s also a chance to play a role in something bigger—to give a dog a purpose and, ultimately, to help change someone’s life!
