Canine Companions Transforms Lives with Service Dogs

Nonprofit provides free service dogs to veterans and people with disabilities through volunteer puppy raisers

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Canine Companions, a California-based national nonprofit, provides free service dogs to veterans and people with disabilities. The organization's Coastal Carolinas chapter launched in late 2024 and serves an area stretching from Charleston to Wilmington. Before a service dog can change a life, it spends 18 months with a volunteer puppy raiser, learning commands, building social skills and preparing for professional training.

Why it matters

Canine Companions' service dogs are trained in dozens of commands to assist people with disabilities, helping them become more independent and improving their quality of life. The organization's volunteer puppy raisers play a crucial role in preparing these dogs for their life-changing work.

The details

Canine Companions' dogs are taught 40 different commands, from picking up items on the ground to helping people with daily tasks like putting on socks and doing laundry. After 18 months with a volunteer puppy raiser, the dogs are sent to a regional center for professional training before being matched with a recipient, a process that takes less than two years.

  • Canine Companions' Coastal Carolinas chapter launched in late 2024.
  • Volunteer puppy raisers spend 18 months training the dogs before they are sent for professional training.

The players

Canine Companions

A California-based national nonprofit that provides free service dogs to veterans and people with disabilities.

Dr. Jim Berry

Chapter leader for Canine Companions' Coastal Carolinas chapter.

Lisa Dare

A volunteer puppy raiser for Canine Companions who has trained seven pups for the program.

Marcie Deutich

A recipient of a hearing dog, Pike, through Canine Companions.

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What they’re saying

“Our dogs have 40 different commands that they're taught and can perform, from picking up things on the ground, helping people put their socks on, helping them do the laundry.”

— Dr. Jim Berry, Chapter leader, Canine Companions

“My favorite part is watching them develop and learn. Like, by the time you get this little fluffy thing that knows his name, and by the time you turn him in, he can do 30 commands, and he's just an amazing dog.”

— Lisa Dare, Volunteer puppy raiser, Canine Companions

“I got Pike for several reasons. I lost several family members. I need to be independent and having him will be able to guide me around with the sound and stuff.”

— Marcie Deutich

“Pike has made a big, dramatic improvement in my life. I can go places now. I'm not afraid.”

— Marcie Deutich

The takeaway

Canine Companions' service dogs and volunteer puppy raisers are making a profound impact on the lives of veterans and people with disabilities, empowering them to live more independent and fulfilling lives. The organization's commitment to providing free, highly-trained service dogs is a testament to the power of community and the transformative potential of the human-animal bond.