LSU’s STEP Club trains puppies for a life of service students are raising five puppies on campus as part of a student-run program that prepares them for professional service-dog training. Service and assistance dogs support many people in the United States, underscoring the ongoing need for more trained assistance animals.

The Service Dog Training Education Program, known as STEP, gives undergraduate raisers hands-on experience working with dogs destined to become assistance animals through the national nonprofit Canine Companions. The club offers students practical training exposure while contributing to a pipeline that places trained dogs with people who rely on assistance animals. These dogs typically assist individuals with a range of disabilities, from mobility impairments to conditions such as autism and PTSD.

STEP was formed in early 2023 by students who wanted a college-based program to raise future service dogs. The group is led by President Ariana Tashakkori, with Cori Bertrand serving as Vice President and Berkeley Bolinger among the active members. Universities often play a crucial role in this endeavor, partnering with accredited organizations to establish programs that elevate community awareness and education concerning service animals.

Dr. Nancy Welborn, 33, an associate professor of community practice at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, advises the club. “Since I am a veterinarian, I can also discuss any medical issues the pups may have and ensure good nutrition,” she said, describing her role supporting students and the animals under their care. This veterinary oversight is critical, as under the Americans with Disabilities Act, service dogs must be trained to perform specific tasks and behave appropriately in public.

Students live with and socialize the puppies across campus, taking them to classes and extracurricular activities and equipping them to behave confidently in public. On campus, the young dogs wear yellow and blue vests emblazoned with “future service dog,” a vivid sign of the program’s dual training and outreach mission. Many individuals who could benefit from service dogs still do not have access, highlighting the importance of programs like STEP.

Two of the club’s campus-raised dogs, Tai and Tonic, are slated to head off for professional training in November. The STEP Club trains and socializes the animals during the early months of their lives before the next phase of formal instruction with Canine Companions. This preparation is vital, as the training process for service dogs can vary significantly in duration and intensity, often depending on the specific tasks they will be trained to perform.

“My favorite part about STEP is the potential for our trained puppies to change lives,” said Ariana Tashakkori, speaking to the club’s educational and service goals. Tashakkori has said she intends to continue in veterinary medicine and will attend veterinary school in Fall 2025. Her commitment reflects the growing interest among students to participate in such meaningful initiatives.

Canine Companions provides the puppies and oversees the advanced training that follows campus raising. STEP’s advisor relationship with the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine connects student raisers to veterinary oversight and resources from the school’s community-practice faculty. A feature about the program is available through the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s writing on the club.

Club activities include regular meetings, puppy classes, and public engagement designed to teach members about working dogs and to normalize appropriate interactions with assistance animals. Members who cannot raise a dog full time still take part through puppy-sitting and volunteer roles. This inclusive approach fosters a sense of community and responsibility, encouraging more students to engage with the vital mission of training service dogs.

As STEP continues to raise and socialize campus litters, the next formal milestone for many of its dogs is sending them on for professional training in November, where they will undergo further instruction before possible placement as service animals.

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Original reporting: view the original article.