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Volunteer Puppy Raiser

JUDY CAMPBELL

 

I initially heard about the WAGS program from the principal of the Dane County Transition School, an at-risk high school; she had seen teens involved in the training of service dogs on television.  I loved dogs, so I decided to volunteer.  My husband, Leo, and I began our training in 1997.  Over the years, I have worked with Magic, Miracle, Noble, Palmer, Quaker, Sophie, Sebastian, Utah, Ukiah, Zodiac, and BJ.  Ezra was lucky number thirteen!  I loved working with the puppies, but my favorite part of the training process was the placement phase.  I enjoyed meeting the clients to find out what special skills were going to be needed and then training the dogs to meet those needs.  I even taught a dog to flush the toilet!  Visiting nursing homes and educating store staff and students about service dogs have been some of my most rewarding experiences.  I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to be a part of the WAGS program as I saw first hand the impact a service dog can have on the lives of clients.

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