Congratulations to Rosemary Kitzinger and family on being the January Volunteers of the Month!
I have been volunteering since May 2020, along with my husband, David, and our four children, Marissa, Cody, Alyssa, and Collin.
I became involved with SSD through the process of looking for service dog options for Marissa when she was 17 years old. About six and a half years ago, I learned of Susquehanna Service Dogs through a chance encounter (or divine intervention) at the American Girl store in Tysons Corner, Virginia with the cutest puppy wearing a purple vest with SSD insignia on it. The gentleman who was handling the dog—and a few very excited girls—was kind enough to take the time to tell me about the organization and their mission, and he praised the staff immensely. After that encounter, I applied for a service dog for Marissa, and four and a half years later she was blessed when she was matched with SSD Nugget.
Throughout the process, I was amazed every time I saw Marissa handle the dogs, including in public, and what a difference it made in her attention, reduction of anxiety, and her whole demeanor. I knew we were on the right path. During the second week of team training, I told Amanda [SSD’s Director of Breeding and Canine Development] I thought I might want to raise a puppy one day, but let her know I have never ever had a dog in my life (until SSD Nugget came home). She assured me I could handle the task and SSD would teach me everything I needed to know.
I was told we needed to have SSD Nugget for a year before we could raise a puppy. Once we passed that milestone the world shut down due to COVID-19. I talked it over with my husband and our children and we agreed puppy raising would be a great experience anyway, and why not during a pandemic? We could still do something good for someone else and pay it forward. So far raising SSD Augusta has been a truly amazing opportunity and experience for our family.
I am new to volunteering with SSD, but I hope to be a long term volunteer. I see the difference a service dog has made in Marissa’s life and I can’t say enough good things about the staff at SSD. #DogsChangeLives!
If you would like to join
our volunteers and make a difference by raising a puppy, apply online today!
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