Since 1975, Canine Companions has been pairing service dogs with adults, children, and veterans with disabilities — completely free of charge.
On August 21, the nonprofit shared a video on social media that quickly garnered over a quarter of a million views, with one Instagram user calling it “the best thing anyone will see on social media today.”
In the Instagram Reel, service dogs were given a chance to reunite with the volunteers who trained and raised them one last time before they “graduated.”
The emotional video was filled with a lot of happy whines, wagging tails, and one black labrador that completely knocked their former trainer onto the ground with excitement.
“So beautiful,” one person commented. “They can be a puppy one last time before heading out into the world with their person. Congratulations on puppy raisers, brand new service dogs, and new handlers.”
“This is 100% the way it goes!” another Instagram user said. “I and my daughter raised several puppies, and the puppy raisers will often wonder if they will be remembered, and the answer is an overwhelming yes! Always!”
“In my experience, they never forget you,” one dog trainer chimed in. “No matter how long you have to wait.”
Tami Kelly, a PR representative for Canine Companions, told Good Good Good that this tradition is a regular occurrence for dogs trained through the nonprofit.
“Right before they graduate as service dogs matched with a person who needs them, most of our dogs reunite with the volunteers who raised them from eight weeks to about 18 months of age,” Tami Kelly said via email. “These reunions are so heartwarming.”
According to Kelly, less than 1% of people with disabilities have a service dog.
“Canine Companions is battling a global shortage of service dogs that can only be solved by recruiting more volunteer puppy raisers,” she said. “More than 500 people are currently waiting for a Canine Companions service dog, with thousands more in need.”
To support Canine Companions’ mission, or become a service dog trainer yourself, you can learn more at the organization’s official website.
Watch the emotion reunions below:
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Featured Image: Screenshots via @canineorg/Instagram
