Bill and Mary Jane McGinnis and Canto II and Neal VI

We have been puppy raisers for Canine Companions since Bruin II came into our life one cold, snowy day in March of 2016. Our 12-year-old pet lab, Maverick, had just passed away quickly from jaw cancer, and our home was just too empty without a dog!

Our daughter, Staicey Scholtz, has raised Canine Companion pups since 2009, so puppy raising was familiar to us.  Bruin needed a puppy raiser, and we needed a puppy, so the rest is HISTORY!

Being retired allows us to have plenty of time to devote to caring for, training and loving these special pups. Neal VI, our 3rd puppy, is 5 months old; our second, Canto II, matriculated to professional training on Nov 9th.  Bruin hit the jackpot of release dogs (reason: alert barking) with a very special Medina family who has certified him as a therapy dog.

Raising a puppy for us has been (and still is) an amazing adventure--from those needle-sharp teeth, “hurry” training, and sweet puppy breath, to the maturity of the 18-month-old ready to leave the “nest” and soar in whatever direction he or she chooses.  In between are the short nights, busy days learning commands, manners and limits, as well as trips to the vet, presentations, play dates, and trips across the country.

Most of all, this journey has kept us busy and given us new friendships and relationships we could have never imagined.  Whether it’s the “blue people” of Northern Ohio Chapter, or volunteers, puppy raisers, or graduates near and far, we feel the connection shared by those who support Canine Companions' mission of providing “exceptional dogs to exceptional people.”  It’s how we can say “goodbye” to a pup and welcome another every year.  Experiencing a graduate’s gratitude makes puppy raising rewarding beyond words: PRICELESS!  We would recommend it to anyone who wants to be part of changing someone’s life.