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In 2022, during the time the pandemic was gradually receding and flights were still limited in various countries, volunteer pilots did not hesitate to transport puppies in a private plane from California to Clearwater, Florida, to an organization that will train them to become future service dogs.

Canine Companions, a nonprofit organization and the nation’s leading provider of free service dogs for individuals with disabilities, trains the puppies until they are ready for employment. They usually rely on commercial planes to transport the puppies across the states to the organization and begin their training. However, due to limited commercial flights during the pandemic, Canine Companions staff searched for volunteer pilots to transport the future service dogs and help them continue their mission.

During the height of the pandemic in 2020, 12 volunteer pilots flew over 265 puppies from Northern California’s Sonoma Jet Center to future service dog training centers across the country, and the generosity continues up to this day. In early 2022, 5 puppies were transported from California to Clearwater via a private plane. After the 6-hour flight, the 8-week-old puppies were placed with volunteer puppy raisers.

“We are so grateful to all the pilots, staff, and volunteers who are helping our puppies get to their volunteer puppy raisers during this unprecedented time,” says Canine Companions CEO Paige Mazzoni. “At times like these, it is wonderful to see the goodness and kindness in people who want to help however they can.”

Houston, one of the puppies, was placed with Chloe Werner, a puppy raiser and UCF student. She will train the puppy basic commands such as ‘stay, fetch, and sit.’ “They’re with us for about a year and a half, and the entire time we’re training them and socializing them, and then they go off to professional training where they learn even more before they become service dogs,” Chloe said. She admits she was overwhelmed with love when the adorable puppies arrived. “Seeing her being pulled out of the plane, my heart just melted. She was so tiny and so sweet, and I’m just so excited for our journey together.”

“They’re learning those special skills which are opening and closing doors and drawers, picking up dropped items,” said Caitlin Bradley, Southeast Region Volunteer Coordinator with Canine Companions.

Another volunteer puppy trainer, Kaylea Rotkewicz, claims that she is prepared to let go of the puppy once it has finished training. “I don’t ever feel sad anymore because I just feel so happy. Not only did I get to enjoy a puppy and raise it, but also, I got to help out another one of my humankind,” said Kaylea.

When the puppies turn 2 years old, they are placed in forever homes. After their basic and professional training, the dogs are placed with adults, children, and veterans with disabilities. They may provide freedom or independence to disabled individuals.

As of today, Canine Companions still has over 400 people waiting for their professionally trained service dogs. Disability doesn’t stop even during a pandemic, and Canine Companions are constantly keeping their mission in motion. Generous volunteers and supporters work relentlessly to help the puppies of today become the service dogs of tomorrow. Click HERE to learn more about Canine Companions and how you may help a service dog be placed with a person with a disability.