It Started with One Puppy

Sharon Stalker and SSD Hamilton at ZooAmerica

Sharon Stalker and her husband Brian have been raising puppies for Susquehanna Service Dogs since 1994. We were founded in 1993, so they’ve been volunteers from almost the very beginning. Can you guess how many puppies they’ve raised?

19!

Back in 1994, the Stalkers had recently lost their family dog after moving to Hershey, PA. One day, we were training puppies on campus at the Milton Hershey School. Another houseparent at the Milton Hershey School called to tell Sharon and Brian about us.

“I was going to go check it out,” said Sharon, “but Brian said that I would come home with a puppy. So he went. He attended one class and came home with a puppy!”

They’ve been raising puppies ever since. Currently, they’re raising SSD Hamilton.

How do they do it? People often tell us that they would love to raise a puppy but they’d never be able to give them up. It was really hard for the Stalkers to let go of the first dog they raised, SSD Lily. In fact, they had decided that they were going to wait before raising another.

Then the mother of SSD Lily’s partner called her and shared stories about the bond between Lily and her daughter. “Her mother told me that after going out somewhere with SSD Lily, her little girl said ‘People see me now,’” said Sharon. “That simple statement grabbed my heart and is what keeps me going. It’s why I’ve raised 19 SSD pups.

“It’s hard to let go," she said, "but once you meet their partner, it’s the best feeling in the world. You’ve been part of a priceless gift that will change their world. The pup has also changed your own life.”

We’re looking for more puppy raisers who want to make a difference and help dogs change people’s lives. Raisers welcome a 9-week-old puppy into their home and teach them good house manners and over 20 different cues. They also take the dogs out in public to learn how to work in all kinds of different environments. Learn more and apply on our website: https://www.keystonehumanservices.org/susquehanna-service-dogs/responsibilities-of-a-puppy-raiser.php

If you’re not ready to raise a puppy, you can still help our dogs with their training! Donate to help build a new training center where our dogs will learn skills like opening a door, picking things up, and alerting someone for help. Give now and make a difference: http://crowdrise.com/susquehanna-capital-campaign