UWF students raise service dogs for Canine Companions on campus

Students in the University of West Florida Transfer Task Force are raising puppies for Canine Companions, socializing them and running fundraisers to support their care. The group plans to send the dogs to Canine Companions for advanced training when they are around a year and a half old.

The University of West Florida's Transfer Task Force is raising puppies for Canine Companions on campus. The student group formed last year and compares its mission of helping puppies transition to the experience of its members as transfer students. Members socialize the animals, expose them to different environments and help establish basic training skills. The group has also organized fundraisers such as car washes and a "Puppy Shower" to support the puppies' care. What is happening now: - The Transfer Task Force is a UWF student organization formed last year focused on supporting Canine Companions. - Students are raising specific puppies named Wryland, Veracruz and Maestro while the dogs live on campus. - Members work on socialization, environmental exposure and basic training to prepare the puppies for later work. - The group has held fundraising events including car washes and a Puppy Shower to help cover costs. - Staff advisor Lexi Miller described the effort as reflecting months of dedication and teamwork. - The students plan a trip to Orlando to send the puppies to Canine Companions for advanced professional training when the dogs are about a year and a half old. Summary: This campus initiative combines student-led fundraising and hands-on care to prepare puppies for Canine Companions' advanced training. The work so far has centered on socialization and basic training, and the group expects to transfer the dogs to Canine Companions in Orlando when they reach roughly eighteen months.