Our Crowdfunding Groups
Although this project has ended, if you would still like to make a donation to support STEP@Pitt, you may always do so here.
About Us
STEP@Pitt is the Service Dog in Training Education Program on Pitt's campus. STEP@Pitt is partnered with Canine Companions, a national nonprofit that provides highly-trained service dogs to adults, children, and veterans at no cost to the individual. STEP@Pitt facilitates the relationship between Canine Companions and College Puppy Raisers.
Our puppies are bred in Santa Rosa, California, through Canine Companions. All puppies are Labradors, Golden Retrievers, or a mix of the two. At about eight weeks old, the pups are transported to their volunteer puppy raisers. Our campus pups are a part of the North Central Region.
The Puppy Raisers are responsible for teaching the pups the 31 basic commands and socializing them to various situations for about a year and a half. A college campus is a perfect place to expose pups to these different environments! Our urban restaurants, libraries, lecture halls, sports arenas, and music halls are all great opportunities that we have at our disposal.
When the puppies turn in for matriculation, they spend about six to nine months in professional training where they learn advanced commands to prepare for working as a service dog. Some dogs are released throughout the process but can be used as other types of working animals or as therapy dogs. After that, they move to team training, where the puppies meet people who are their potential matches. During this time, people and puppies work with each other to try to find good pairs.
Finally comes the Canine Companions graduation. This is where the Puppy Raiser hands the leash off to their partner and they graduate as a team.
Our Project
STEP@Pitt offers resources to make college puppy raising more accessible, as well as works to raise awareness about Service Dogs in the Pitt Community through the lens of Canine Companions Future Service Dogs. Our puppy raisers on average spend upwards of $1,500-$2,000 on their pup, so our fundraising project aims to financially support the service dogs in training including vet visits, food purchases, and preventative purchases.
How You Can Help Us
Donate now using this EngagePitt page! Click either the "Give Now" button at the top of the page to enter a custom amount, or select a Giving Level along the righthand side of the page and click "Contribute." A gift of any size will make a huge difference for our pups on campus.
Share our campaign with your networks. Even if you are unable to give at this time, you can take action to help us by sending our link to family, friends, colleagues, and anyone you think would be interested in supporting our goal. Spreading the word will make a lasting and meaningful impact.
We are grateful for your support of STEP@Pitt and our Service Dogs in Training on Campus!
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Contributions received for this project shall be used in accordance with the purpose described herein, the terms in the FAQs and applicable law. For questions that cannot be answered in the FAQs, please call 412-648-4658 or email engage@pitt.edu.
A donation of $30 pays for one month of a monthly preventative for one pup!
A donation of $120 pays for one puppy vet visit, including the vet fee and a vaccination, for one of our pups.
