The University of Georgia’s love for dogs doesn’t end at the football team. UGA is also home to the largest group of puppy raisers for the Guide Dog Foundation (GDF). These pups, distinguished by their yellow vests, can be seen all around campus.
The Athens Area Puppy Raisers (AAPR), as they are called on UGA’s Involvement Network, work with dogs starting at 2 months of age, and raise them until they are about 18 months old. The raisers are responsible for teaching the dogs necessary skills before they go to the GDF headquarters in New York. Like students at UGA, these dogs have a multitude of options for their career tracks. They can become breeders, scent detectors, hearing dogs, veteran aids, seeing-eye dogs and much more.
There are various positions within the organization, including leadership, fundraisers, raisers and campers, all equally rewarding. Those involved with GDF are incredibly passionate about what they do and joined the organization for various reasons. Shannon Shotz, a sophomore ecology and interior design major, said she was inspired to join GDF after an experience dating back to her childhood.
“Well, when I was younger, I saw another trainer training a service dog at the mall,” Shotz said. “I think I was seven or so. I'm on a little merry go round thing and saw her sitting there with the puppy, training it, and ever since then, I've kind of always wanted to do that. So when I got here and saw our group at orientation, I immediately signed up for it. I was like, I have to do this.”
Shannon Shotz, a sophomore at UGA, poses for a portrait with her guide dog in training, Lomi, at North Campus in Athens, Georgia, on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Photo/Brooke Richards)
One member of AAPR’s leadership, Lachle Boniol, said she enjoys raising these dogs because she knows they have a great purpose. Being involved with GDF has even inspired this junior biological engineering major to want to attend vet school after graduation.
“So I personally am a huge community service person,” Boniol said. “I love volunteering. And to be someone who wants to raise a dog is going to be someone that most likely is similar to me. It is a huge, selfless act because we raise these dogs and expect to give them back to give someone freedom.”
Joining the organization is only the beginning of the journey these members embark upon. Advocating for education about these dogs is also an important portion of membership in GDF. Boniol opened up about some experiences she’s had on campus regarding inconsiderate students while she’s out with her current dog, Shawn.
“Whenever I have my dog Shawn, I feel like everyone's watching, and people don't understand how to act around service dogs,” Boniol said. “You'd be surprised how many people on the bus will step on his tail or people with scooters have run over his tail, people will step on his feet, people will just reach out and pet him. It's just part of what we do as raisers. Half of what we do is advocate for people that have service dogs. These dogs are working and yes, if you want to pet them you can ask, and most of the time we will say yes.”
These experiences can be very upsetting for the handlers, especially when they are just trying to do what’s best for their dog. Boniol summarized the responsibility of a handler with one phrase.
“We think for two people,” Boniol said. “We think for us and our dog, not just us.”.
However, all experiences with students have not been the same. Many members of GDF agreed that people are nicer to them when they're out with their yellow vested friends.
“Yeah, it's good attention, I would say,” Shotz said. “A lot of people are really nice to ask about the program and stuff like that. It's like there is a noticeable difference. … . I feel like when I'm with her, versus when I'm just by myself, like if I'm going to the store when I'm with my dog it always seems like the cashier is so much nicer. Because I guess they're just excited to see a dog.”
UGA alumni Sierra Lindsey, who also serves as the AAPR coordinator for an adult group and is president of fundraising, said she has raised four dogs. Joining the club her freshman year, she has seen many dogs grow into their purpose as service dogs. Her last dog Ruby, she says, is currently working serving a veteran whom she stays in contact with.
“She's in Virginia Beach and so I am lucky enough to have contact with her veteran, the person she was paired with,” Lindsey said. “Also we call them their handlers. So her handler and I are actually really close now just because of Ruby. Working for her, and you know, through that relationship, I've really been able to see how much Ruby has changed things for Gabby.”
Gabby is Ruby’s handler. According to Lindsey, Gabby now feels safe to go in public and is in a position where she gets the “normalcy” that a lot of people crave. Lindsey this makes all of the work worth it.
In closing, the members of GDF were asked how students on campus can support this organization.
“So I think in that sense, UGA is doing a really good job as a whole, like the students are really educated, but I think just continuing to respect the boundary of both the dog and the handler is really important,” Lindsey said. “Whether that's petting, approaching them, asking to pet etc. If a dog is clearly working, it's not, you know, just not interfering with their job.”
Freshman psychology student and AAPR Camper Katherine Shriner believes some resources could help raise awareness about these dogs.
“Perhaps UGA could add small homestead areas to give the dogs a chance to free run and take a break throughout the day,” Shriner said. “So just small, fenced-in areas around campus could allow the dogs to exercise during the day. And just settle themselves before going to class.”
Lachle Boniol, a UGA student, poses for a portrait with her black lab, Sean, at North Campus in Athens, Georgia, on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Sean used to be a guide dog in training and now will be adopted by Boniol, who raised him. (Photo/Brooke Richards)
Something to remember about these service dogs, as well, is that they are there to assist the person. Boniol expanded on this notion as she described how students could be more mindful of guide dog raisers.
“So that's another thing is understanding that a person is more than their dog,” Boniol said. “People are people, a dog is there to help a person. The dog may be more interesting to you at the moment, but I bet the person's actually quite interesting. So it's realizing that they are a team and it's not just the dog and the handler, it's more so the handler and the dog. Respect and education about how to interact with service dogs is huge because not many people know what to do.”
To learn more about these dogs and their raisers, look for their yellow vests around campus. Also, visit this link to get involved with GDF’s fundraisers.
