Assistance dog organizations empower people with disabilities by partnering them with assistance dogs who provide support and greater independence. From puppyhood to partnership with a handler, it takes an entire community of compassionate people to raise life-changing assistance dogs.

To create more meaningful human-dog partnerships, many organizations rely on volunteer puppy raisers, handlers in prison, and staff and volunteer trainers to raise and train their assistance dogs. Some organizations have expanded their programs further by launching youth and student trainer programs, which offer a mutually beneficial way to help more assistance dog prospects succeed and young people to develop important personal and professional skills.

The Importance of Youth in Assistance Dog Training

Youth and student trainer programs, like those at ADI Member Organizations Assistance Dogs of the West and Alpha Bravo Canine, have shown to be beneficial for assistance dogs in training, the junior trainers, and the organizations themselves.

Junior trainers offer valuable enrichment and expose assistance dogs in training to children of different backgrounds and a variety of handling styles, helping establish consistent behavior responses that prepare dogs for their future partnership with a person living with disabilities.

For young adults, the experience of learning dog handling and training builds important skills, such as teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and how to apply positive reinforcement in their daily lives. Through these programs, many discover talents and passions they carry into future studies or careers working with animals and people with disabilities. It also creates a unique résumé or application builder, which may help young adults secure opportunities and first jobs.

Organizations benefit too, seeing increased community engagement, greater awareness of their mission and assistance dog etiquette, and support for frequently limited staff and volunteer time as well as resources.

Assistance Dogs of the West and Alpha Bravo Canine See Success

Assistance Dogs of the West (ADW) runs a very large student trainer program, with over 3,500 participants since 1995. ADW partners with students, many of whom have disabilities, through local school programs and summer camps in New Mexico, United States. Staff teach students to train assistance dogs by positively reinforcing behaviors and refining cues in public settings, which fosters relationship building, dog handling skills, and empathy towards others.

ADW also has a youth board of directors that leads initiatives supporting the organization’s mission and public education around assistance dogs and disability awareness.

Natalie Longmire-Kulis, a dedicated ADW student trainer and former Youth Board President, helped launch a partnership between ADW and the Santa Fe Teen Court, where junior trainers brought ADW courthouse facility dogs in training for visits to offer support during juvenile hearings. Her experiences with ADW inspired her to pursue a degree in human rights law at Stanford to continue her meaningful work.

“ADW taught me that the strongest relationships are built on taking the time to understand one another and to exercise vulnerability, humility, and respect for others around you. This deeper level of understanding toward others’ realities has directly informed my current work in international human rights by allowing me to create deeply meaningful connections with people of vastly different life experiences,” Longmire-Kulis shared. “My role has enabled me to directly and indirectly experience and see the transformative impact of assistance dog programs involving student trainers.”

Alpha Bravo Canine (ABC) in Pennsylvania, United States, also runs a thriving youth trainer program for elementary to high school students. Participants help with fundraising, practice dog handling and training skills, and advocate for people with disabilities. They also have opportunities to gain leadership, event planning, and assistance dog training experience.

High school sophomore Rune Perras has grown through their time in ABC’s program, developing dog handling skills, learning how to promote disability awareness at fundraising events, and gaining leadership experience. Perras shared, “Working with service dogs has helped boost my confidence by giving me an opportunity to problem solve. It has also taught me patience and teamwork skills as I work with other junior handlers. We support and encourage each other through the program.” 

How Your Organization Can Incorporate Junior Training Programs  

For assistance dog organizations interested in starting a youth trainer program, consider partnerships with local schools, youth groups, afterschool programs, or summer camps. Puppy-raising clubs at local schools can be a great entry point for students as well.

Organizations might also offer staff or volunteer-led courses for youth on topics like clicker training or assistance dog etiquette. Welcoming youth volunteer groups to participate in training or enrichment activities may also benefit assistance dogs in the program and the juniors working with them.

Incorporating youth trainer programs isn’t just an investment in dogs’ training and meeting organization’s goals, but also an investment in creating more compassionate, inclusive communities. By creating opportunities for juniors to get more involved, organizations can expand their impact and change lives on both ends of the leash.

###

Kendle Frank is the Content Specialist at Freedom Service Dogs of America. Through personal, professional, and educational endeavors, she has gained over five years of unique experience working with animals through marketing and communications. Kendle is dedicated to using her passion for dogs, writing, and social media to enhance the happiness, health, and wellbeing of companion animals and the humans who love them.

Interested in writing a blog post for ADI? Please see our submission form.