It’s always intriguing to hear of unique and specialized school organizations; I’ve seen everything from Quidditch teams, to film and TV clubs, to lettuce-eating clubs (yes, really!). IMO, the weirder the better, and of course, I always give bonus points if a club is philanthropic in some way — which is why the latest college org to go viral online is getting an A++ in my book: It’s a puppy raising club.
I was first introduced to the concept of a puppy raising club from an IG reel posted by the Canine Cognition Center at Duke University, which discusses a unique opportunity to raise a future service dog in your dorm room. Naturally, I had to learn more — and, it turns out, this isn’t just a Duke thing!
The club is part of a larger org called Canine Companions, which provides service dogs to people of all ages, and at no cost. Since the organization’s start in 1975, more than 8,000 service dogs and owners have been matched and connected. Service dogs from Canine Companions have been trained to assist people with physical, cognitive, and auditory disabilities, PTSD, blood sugar detection, or for professionals in settings such as education or health care. For college students specifically, Canine Companions has introduced collegiate puppy raising clubs, in which members are responsible for raising and supporting puppies — including training, medical care, feeding, and other aspects that come with owning a puppy — before they become service animals.
Canine Companions’s collegiate puppy raising clubs are not one size fits all. Depending on the college, the club may have additional roles beyond raising puppies, such as being a general member or a puppy sitter. But one thing is true for all of the campus orgs: They look like a yappin’ good time!
Which U.S. colleges have puppy raising clubs?
As of August 2025, there are 25 colleges throughout the United States that have a puppy raising club through Canine Companions, including Duke University, University of Colorado Boulder, and University of South Florida. A full list of active college clubs can be found on the org’s website.
What are the requirements for joining a collegiate puppy raising club?
There’s a little more to the screening process than just being a lover of animals. Collegiate puppy raisers must be in good standing at their college. Members also need to fill out an application with Canine Companions, as well as meet minimum requirements of their club’s membership. All members also need to be supportive and active with Canine Companions’s fundraising and public awareness. Further details, requirements, and criteria can be found on the org’s FAQ page.
What if my school doesn’t have a puppy raising club?
If your school isn’t one of the lucky few to have this club, you can start one yourself! If you’re looking to start a puppy raising club through Canine Companions, there is a lot to consider. As cute as dogs and puppies are, they are living creatures that require copious amounts of care, time, training, and resources. If you have mulled over the idea, talked to the right people on campus, and believe this collegiate club is possible, then reach out and apply via Canine Companions’s application portal.
If starting a whole club seems too much, but you still want to get involved, there are other ways to volunteer for Canine Companions. On the volunteer section of Canine Companions’s website, there are multiple pathways and opportunities, including local volunteering, becoming a puppy transport volunteer, starting a fundraiser, becoming an advocate or community supporter, and joining the Junior Ambassador Committee.