In 2022, Washington State University freshman Alyssa Fortson wandered through a campus activity fair and stopped when she saw a group of students with a Canine Companions puppy. Instantly, she knew she had found her community. Alyssa signed up that day, later becoming club president and mentor. Along the way, she learned fellow member Shannon Prendergast’s tragic story.
In 2017, 20-year-old Shannon was driving from Seattle back to Washington State University with her Canine Companions puppy, Lottie, in a kennel behind her. She was planning to make the WSU puppy raising club official that day. She was killed by a distracted driver on his phone. Lottie survived and later returned to Shannon’s family, where she became a Canine Companions therapy dog.
The other students involved with puppy raising at WSU knew they wanted to uphold Shannon’s legacy and renamed the club in her memory: Prendergast Pups.
“We’ve become ingrained in the school culture,” says Alyssa. “Everyone knows Canine Companions, why we’re raising and what Shannon’s legacy is. Even the campus tour guides mention Prendergast Pups as a club to join at WSU!”
The club is gaining members, and more students on campus are raising puppies. Alyssa hopes that it will continue to grow and support Canine Companions for years to come.
“As puppy raisers, we know we can change a person’s life,” she says. “But I never really knew how many people were being touched by these puppies — the ripple effect is huge.”
College puppy raising clubs like Prendergast Pups are the future of Canine Companions. Students are our future trainers, veterinarians and supporters, shaping the next generation of life-changing service dog teams.