Benjamin Ciccarelli is organizing a GoFundMe fundraiser for Clemson Canine Companions for Independence puppy raisers. 

To quote the GoFundMe, “Students on campus will have the ability to raise puppies for 12-18 months before they are sent off to begin training to become a service dog. Once the dog is finished service training, he or she is gifted to a person who is in need of a service dog.” 

Clemson Canine Companions for Independence is our university’s branch of the Canine Companions for Independence organization (CCI) founded in 1975. According to their website, CCI is “a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships.” CCI provides service dogs to adults, children, veterans and professionals. Plenty of people have provided testimonies about how much they love and benefit from their CCI service dog. 

Service dogs are not cheap, which makes what CCI is doing even more remarkable. According to nsarco.com already-trained service dogs cost anywhere between $15,000 and $30,000 upfront with some service dogs costing as much as $50,000, not to mention the yearly expenses of caring for a dog. Care costs alone can cost between $500 and $10,000 every year and can include expenses like food, vet bills, vaccinations, toys and even additional training. 

This fundraiser is a great opportunity to help those in our community who are in need of a service dog acquire one without the incredible financial burden it can take to get one. This fundraiser will directly help students on campus raise the puppies without having to provide the financial aspect. College students already dedicate a lot of time and money to their education and adding on caring for a puppy voluntarily will be an incredible time commitment. It is hard for student volunteers to  use their own funds to care for puppies that they will not be keeping themselves. If you are interested in donating, click this link.