Between studying and doing homework, Kayla Neiderfer, a Woodbury resident and full-time student at the University of Delaware, has taken on the responsibility of raising a puppy for Canine Companions for Independence (CCI). The non-profit organization provides highly trained service dogs to people with disabilities, but the process relies on the initial service of volunteers like Neiderfer.
“He was eight-weeks-old when I got him, and at about 16 to 18 months he’ll go back to CCI headquarters for professional training,” said Neiderfer. “It’ll be hard to give him away when the time is up, but you have to keep in mind that you’re changing lives.”
As a volunteer puppy raiser, it is Neiderfer’s duty to train Weezer, a black labrador and golden retriever mix, to comply with simple commands and maintain good behavior. During this period, Weezer will learn approximately 30 commands before undergoing six to eight months of further specific training at the regional headquarters in Medford, in which he will be taught how to assist people with mental or physical disabilities. Within those months, instructors will provide a detailed evaluation of each dog, and based on the dog’s different strengths, a person with disabilities who is on the waiting list is invited to attend their regional headquarters to be matched with an assistance dog. CCI has paired these trained canines with a range of disabilities including hearing troubles, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and PTSD to name a few, all done at no cost to the recipient.
“These dogs will be providing a sense of independence that certain people don’t necessarily have without their help,” she added. Weezer is Neiderfer’s first puppy as part of the CCI program.
The college senior has been involved with the organization since her freshman year at the 
University of Delaware, where CCI has a chapter as one of the campus’ registered student organizations. Neiderfer would participate as a puppy sitter for other members raising puppies while they were busy or at class. After witnessing the reward of participating in such a program, she made the decision to raise a puppy of her own.
“It’s a huge commitment but when you devote your time to something like this, seeing the dogs succeed is amazing,” said Neiderfer. “It is well worth the amount of work you have to put in.”
Neiderfer is set to graduate in May, after which she plans to attend veterinary school. She is currently awaiting acceptance letters from prospective institutions such as Cornell University, Tufts University, University of Florida and Colorado State University, all of which have competitive veterinary medicine programs.
She believes the skills she has accrued during her time as a puppy raiser will serve to benefit her ongoing education and future in the veterinary profession. After completing further schooling, she wishes to become an active puppy raiser for CCI again.
“Raising has definitely changed my life,” said Neiderfer. “By doing it, you’re basically putting time into giving someone in need opportunities they wouldn’t have otherwise.”
For more information regarding CCI, visit www.cci.org.
