Collegiate Puppy Raising
Students and faculty living on and off college campuses have been successfully raising Canine Companions puppies for years. There are currently over 25 colleges involved in the Canine Companions collegiate puppy raising program including Tulane University, The University of Delaware and University of Texas at Dallas. Could your college be next?
As a collegiate puppy raiser, you will gain knowledge and experience with canine developmental stages, learning theory, medical care, the impact of early socialization, record keeping and reporting, public relations, public speaking and communication skills. As club members, you need to work cooperatively and collaboratively to support the needs of the pups you’re raising (food, toys, basic medical care, training equipment, etc).
The structure of a collegiate puppy raising club can vary widely, depending upon the requirements of the college or university and the number of participants. Your members may participate peripherally providing general club support, as club puppy sitters, or as full-time puppy raisers. A Canine Companions for Independence collegiate puppy raising club may be officially sanctioned by the school. Outside of an official school club, students, staff and faculty are encouraged to participate individually as puppy raisers. Raise a puppy, change a life.
Request More Information
Want to start a club at your college? Check out our Collegiate Puppy Raising Club FAQs below.
FAQs
What is a collegiate Puppy Raising club?
A club is a registered student organization, as defined by the institutions policy. The club must have a faculty advisor and consists of general members, puppy sitters and puppy raisers.
What are the membership requirements?
Individuals must be a student in good standing, or a faculty or staff member. Members must meet the minimum requirements for club membership as defined by the institution (e.g. meeting attendance, speaking engagements, etc.). Members must support Canine Companions through public awareness and fundraising.
What are the requirements for being a collegiate puppy raiser?
1. Puppy raisers must meet all criteria of membership (above) and have completed their first full year of college.
2. Puppy raising applicants must complete the application and be accepted by the Canine Companions puppy program.
What if I want to help, but I can’t commit to raising a puppy?
You can get involved in many other roles including general volunteerism or puppy sitting (see below for requirements).
What is a puppy sitter?
A puppy sitter is a part-time caregiver for a Canine Companions puppy. Sitters temporarily take on responsibilities for caring for and socializing the puppy.
What are the requirements to be a puppy sitter?
1. Puppy sitters must meet the general membership requirements (above) and complete dog training classes. Each club has its own requirements for becoming a puppy sitter in addition to general membership requirements.
2. Sitters must gain approval to house the puppy at their residence.
What are the Canine Companions-specific criteria for participation?
After a student has met all of the club’s requirements for raising, they can submit an application to Canine Companions to become a puppy raiser to begin the approval process. A student’s college and home/dorm environment must be compatible with the requirements for raising a Canine Companions puppy. Considerations such as course credit workload, other club or sports activities, jobs, internships, etc. are all discussed and evaluated.
What are the responsibilities of a Canine Companions puppy raiser?
Puppies are placed with puppy raisers at approximately eight weeks of age, and spend the first year and a half with the puppy raiser before being returned to the closest Canine Companions training center. Puppy raisers must attend a minimum of two training classes per month during class semesters. Click here for more details and the main responsibilities of the raiser.
Active College Clubs
AU Collar Scholars
Adelphi University
Collar Scholars at Belmont University
Belmont University
Collar Scholars at Carroll College
Carroll College
Canine Companions – Clemson University
Clemson University
Mines Collar Scholars
Colorado School of Mines
Collar Scholars at CSU
Colorado State University
Collar Scholars at Duke
Duke University
Canine Companions Club
The Evergreen State College
Collar Scholars at KSU
Kent State University
STEP @ LU
Longwood University
STEP at LSU
Louisiana State University
Rice PAWS
Rice University
Collar Scholars TSU
Tarleton State University
Yellow Caped Raiders
Texas Tech University
TUSTEP
Tulane University
Collar Scholars at University of Alabama
University of Alabama
Collar Scholars AZ
University of Arizona
Collar Scholars at U of A
University of Arkansas
Collar Scholars at UCLA
University of California: Los Angeles
Living Unleashed
University of Central Arkansas
STEP at UCF
University of Central Florida
Collar Scholars at CU Boulder
University of Colorado Boulder
Canine Companions at UConn
University of Connecticut
Collar Scholars at UD
University of Delaware
Collar Scholars at UNLV
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Collar Scholars UNT
University of North Texas
STEP-UP
University of Pennsylvania
STEP at Pitt
University of Pittsburgh
Collar Scholars Tampa
University of South Florida
UTD SIT
University of Texas – Dallas
Prendergrast Pups
Washington State University
Updated January 14 2026