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Phoebe is a volunteer puppy raiser and is  raising her fourth Future Leader Dog.  Growing up, she wasn’t allowed to have a  dog, so when she got a place of her own,  she saw this as her opportunity. However,  she knew she wasn’t ready for the full  commitment of owning a dog long-term,  making Leader Dog a great fit.

"After the first one, I just got completely hooked," Phoebe says. "You love them as you would your own dog."

Last year, she also became a volunteer puppy counselor, sharing her knowledge with a group of puppy raisers.

One of Phoebe's most memorable moments was returning her first dog, Mochi. "Realizing how far we had both come was so rewarding. Having her successfully matched with a client was just magical."

She says the close, appreciative community has been the most impactful aspect of being with Leader Dog. "People are full of warmth and amazingness," she says. "I really see puppy raising as a great opportunity for young people."

Leader Dog needs puppy raisers! If you would like to learn more about raising a Leader Dog puppy, please go to leaderdog.org/volunteer/raise-a-puppy