Students at DHS training the next generation of service dogs

PHOTO: Guide dog in training, Varsity

By Ellie Blosch

BlueDevilHUB.com Staff–

Guide dogs provide an important service to the community, however training them takes time and effort.

Davis High senior Tyler Booth is currently doing just that. Booth is training 7-month-old labrador retriever Varsity, to be a guide dog.

Booth became interested in training a puppy after meeting another student who had previously trained two guide dogs. “The main program that I am volunteering for is Guide Dogs for the Blind, and each community has a puppy club,” Booth said.

Training a service dog is a huge commitment. Those who take on this responsibility begin to raise and train them from two months old until they are 14 to 18 months old when they’re returned to “Guide Dogs for the Blind.”

“Doing volunteer work like this is just a great experience and working with animals is even better,” Booth said. “You just have to find a time in your life when you think you can take on a big commitment like this for over a year.”

Students and staff at DHS have been very supportive of having a service dog in class. 

Social Studies teacher Kristin Swanstrom teaches a class with Varsity. “I have seen service dogs on campus on and off over the years, but my first experience with a student asking to bring one to class was this year,” Swanstrom said. “I was excited. I think most people love animals, and I think service dogs in particular are so calm and well-trained.”

Booth encourages interested students to come to the Davis Puppy Club. “Even if you’re not willing to raise, we have a bunch of puppy sitters in the club who are trained,” Booth said. 

Puppy sitters also play an important role in the process. “They take on any of our dogs in training if somebody has to go out of town,” Booth said. “You can get involved even as a puppy sitter where the commitment isn’t a year but maybe a few days to a week or so.”

The Davis Puppy Club website can be found at yologuidedogs.com.