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Volunteer Puppy Raiser

MARCY JOHNSON

   
 

I’ve known about service or assistance dogs for quite awhile and the idea of training one was always at the top of my “to-do” list.  But there were other things to do first, like finish high school.  Then about 3 years ago I was picking out charities that I wanted my employer to make a donation to (all employees at Epic get to pick up to three charitable organizations to donate $100 each).  On the list was an organization called "WAGS” and I wanted to find out more about it since it listed that it was in the business of service dogs.  That’s all it took - I was hooked.  The problem was I had a brand new husband that was not at all fond of canines.  He had no experience with dogs at all and was forming opinions on rumors.  So over time (and being around friends that had really well behaved golden retrievers, which happens to be my favorite dog breed of all time), he came around to the idea of having a dog.  He actually took the initiative because I was crazy busy at work and filled out the application.  We thought we would do it together and both made the commitment that we were going to give this effort 110% if WAGS trusted us with a puppy.  Now it’s been a year, we are training our second dog and neither of us could be having a more enjoyable and satisfying experience. 

My experience with WAGS has been one of the most positive, fun and enjoyable that I can remember.  Everyone involved is so passionate and committed to what they are doing.  The other puppy raisers are so funny and so down-to-earth.  The clients that receive these service dogs are so enriching and inspiring.  The staff at WAGS is completely helpful and quite an esteem boosting machine.  I can’t say enough good things about this organization and my husband, Britton, and I plan to be involved for many, many years to come.

 So far I have helped train Henna and Ian, two wonderful golden retrievers that have very different personalities.  One of my favorite memories is having Henna this past winter.  Britton and I don’t have a snow blower so we were out shoveling quite a bit last year.  We would tie Henna up on a really long line and throw a tennis ball right over one of the huge snow banks on either side of our driveway.  She would run and pounce on it, burying it deeper into the snow.  Then she would start digging it out and bury her whole head into the snow trying to get that ball.  Once she had it she would prance along the top of the bank, in her victory.  Then she would race back to where we were to have us throw the ball again.  We had a lot of laughs and family fun all playing in the snow together.

-Marcy

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