Keeping up with college could be a full-time job for students trying to balance classes, a job, activities, sports and social events, but imagine throwing in an extra responsibility, one that could change someone else’s life, forever.
Paul Johnson is a junior at Penn State. Besides juggling classes, he’s also a member of the naval ROTC program, but there’s another job Paul takes very seriously.
Johnson is training Kip to become a service dog. The two live and work together 24/7. It’s a job that takes heart, dedication and a whole lot of patience.
“The first week and the first couple of classes, everyone’s always jumping all over and trying to see him and pet him and we have to, he’s trying to work, so you have to let him alone,” Johnson said.
Kip goes to class with Paul and Paul goes to class with Kip, too.
“Sometimes he’s whimpering and barking. That was only a couple of times in which case we’re getting up and leaving because we’re not trying to disrupt class.”
Nancy Dreschel coordinates Penn State’s ‘Roar for More’ program. They partner with Susquehanna Service Dogs, based in Grantville, Pa.
“Susquehanna Service Dogs basically helps people with all different types of disabilities. Basically everything except blindness,” Dreschel said. “They help people with hearing issues, they help people with balance issues, people with post traumatic stress disorder.”
There are 14 puppies, just like Kip on campus and four in advanced training in Harrisburg.
The puppies are assigned to students at about eight weeks old and they work together for about a year and a half.
“Basically, what we’re training the puppies to do is basic manners and living in a household and getting along with people,” Dreschel said and added that there’s about a 50 percent success rate.
“Some of them become pets,” she said. “One of ours went on to work for the CIA as an explosive detection dog. They do have different paths they can take.”
“I don’t think people understand just how much work goes in,” Carly Jessloski, another student trainer said.
Jessloski is on her second service pup-in training.
“She should be seen and not heard, people shouldn’t really notice her, but like, what would be a 10 minute walk to classes, takes us like 45. Sometimes not as cute,” Jessloski said.
These dogs and puppies learn a lot while they’re walking with their handlers on campus, but on a college campus, one of the biggest hurdles the pups face is distraction. Often times students will walk up to the handler and ask if they can pet the puppy, but if their vest is on it means they’re working.
For more information about the program, click here.