Hofstra University introduces first collegiate ‘Puppy with a Purpose’
The golden Labrador retriever named Dutch will spend a year on campus with a student volunteer.
The newest member of the Hofstra University family is just three months old!
A golden Labrador retriever named Dutch was introduced to the campus community Monday as part of ‘Puppy with a Purpose.’
In partnership with America’s VetDogs, the school is the first college or university to participate in the nonprofit’s program.
The future service dog will spend more than a year at Hofstra with a student volunteer who will be selected as co-raiser.
Working alongside Associate Professor Deborah L. Elkis-Abuhoff, the pair will prepare the canine for formal service dog training.
The experience is meant to offer the student a meaningful way to serve the community, through dedication, responsibility, patience, and teamwork, the university says.
The end goal is for Dutch to be paired with a veteran or first responder with disabilities at no cost to them.
