Old Bethpage Couple Raises Sixth Puppy for National Service Dog Organization

The Slomovitzs have volunteered with Canine Companions for over 20 years, helping prepare service dogs for people with disabilities.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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For more than two decades, an Old Bethpage couple has been raising service dogs for Canine Companions, a national nonprofit that provides trained service dogs to adults, children, and veterans with physical, developmental, and cognitive disabilities. Rich and Sandra Slomovitz have raised six puppies so far and are preparing to welcome their seventh. As volunteer puppy raisers, the Slomovitzs care for each dog for approximately 16 to 18 months, teaching up to 40 commands and focusing heavily on socialization.

Why it matters

Canine Companions' volunteer puppy raisers play a critical role in the first 18 months of a service dog's training, teaching them basic obedience and socialization skills. This helps ensure the dogs are prepared for their advanced training and can ultimately provide increased independence, confidence, and emotional support to their recipients.

The details

The Slomovitzs began volunteering with Canine Companions in 2004 after years of attending DogFest events and learning about the organization's mission. They have raised six puppies so far, with their most recent being Fritz, who completed his 18 months of training in February 2026. After the initial training period, the dogs return to Canine Companions for advanced instruction before being matched with recipients. While the Slomovitzs know the dogs are not permanent pets, they say the separation can be emotional, particularly during the months spent waiting to learn whether a dog will graduate or change careers.

  • The Slomovitzs began volunteering with Canine Companions in 2004.
  • The Slomovitzs recently raised their sixth puppy, Fritz, who completed his 18 months of training on February 13, 2026.

The players

Rich and Sandra Slomovitz

An Old Bethpage couple who have been volunteer puppy raisers for Canine Companions for over 20 years.

Canine Companions

A national nonprofit organization that provides trained service dogs and ongoing support at no cost to adults, children, and veterans with physical, developmental, and cognitive disabilities.

Kim Doyle

A senior instructor with Canine Companions' Northeast Region who says the volunteer puppy raisers play a critical role during the dogs' first 18 months of training.

Fritz

The most recent puppy raised by the Slomovitzs, who completed his 18 months of training in February 2026.

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What they’re saying

“We come for the dogs, but we stay for the people.”

— Rich and Sandra Slomovitz, Volunteer Puppy Raisers (longislandpress.com)

“The real nitty-gritty of being a good dog really comes from the puppy raisers.”

— Kim Doyle, Senior Instructor, Canine Companions Northeast Region (longislandpress.com)

What’s next

After completing their initial 18 months of training with the Slomovitzs, Fritz and the other puppies will return to Canine Companions for advanced instruction before being matched with recipients.

The takeaway

The Slomovitzs' two-decade commitment to raising service dogs for Canine Companions highlights the critical role that volunteer puppy raisers play in preparing these animals to provide increased independence, confidence, and emotional support to people with disabilities.