Raising paws for a purpose

Roar for More, the SSD University Park Puppy Club, helps to train future service dogs

A student stands beside a brown service dog in training that places its front paws on a chair while looking up at the handler during a training exercise in an indoor arena. — Camile Lasics works with June, a service dog in training with Susquehanna Service Dogs, during a training session in Penn State Ag Arena. Lasics practices a focus and positioning exercise as June places her front paws on a chair. The dogs will continue training daily with their handlers and will ultimately become certified service dogs. Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons

March 6, 2026

By Jaydyn Isiminger

Trainer demonstrates handling techniques on a black dog during a dog training class. — Kathryn Sage, left, works with Nancy Dreschel, associate teaching professor in the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, to check Brooklyn's paws and work on handling techniques during a training session. Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons

A brown dog face comes really close to the camera — June walks toward the camera after a training session in Penn State's Ag Arena. Roar for More: SSD University Park Puppy Club is a Penn State branch of the Susquehanna Service Dogs group. Based out of University Park, the club is open to both the community and the student body. Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons

A golden retriever wearing a purple training vest walks beside other handlers and guide dogs nearby. — Andrea Prybyla walks Láska, a service dog in training with Susquehanna Service Dogs, during a training exercise with Penn State Roar for More. The dogs practice weaving around other dogs and handlers, while staying focused on their trainers. When the dogs reach 18 months, they will move to advanced training in Grantville, Pennsylvania, as a step closer to being a certified service dog. Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons

A student trainer smiles while rewarding a black Labrador retriever sitting on a platform scale during a service dog training session. — Allison Hoover rewards Detroit while he sits on a weight scale as part of the weekly training session for the service puppies. Currently, seven puppies are being cared for and trained by students in the Roar for More: Susquehanna Service Dog University Park Puppy Club. Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons

A black Labrador retriever puppy sits on the floor wearing a purple training vest and looks up attentively. — Cody, a service puppy with Susquehanna Service Dogs, sits and looks up at a treat during a training session in the Penn State Ag Arena. Students with Penn State Roar for More help socialize and train future service dogs by practicing obedience and focus exercises. Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons

A student sits on the floor holding a golden retriever puppy wearing a purple training vest during a service dog training session. — Caleb Wasielewski sits with Dallas during a training session with Penn State Roar for More at Pennsylvania State University Park. Wasielewski practices calm handling and focus exercises while rewarding the pup during the session. Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons

A black Labrador retriever puppy wearing a purple training vest lies on the floor and looks up attentively at a seated handler during a service dog training session. — Brooklyn waits patiently at the beginning of the Roar for More: SSD University Park Puppy Club's weekly training session. The puppies practice obedience and focus exercises as part of their early training before going up into the next class as they get bigger. Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons

Trainer demonstrates handling techniques on a black dog during a dog training class. — Kathryn Sage, left, works with Nancy Dreschel, associate teaching professor in the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, to check Brooklyn's paws and work on handling techniques during a training session. Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons

A brown dog face comes really close to the camera — June walks toward the camera after a training session in Penn State's Ag Arena. Roar for More: SSD University Park Puppy Club is a Penn State branch of the Susquehanna Service Dogs group. Based out of University Park, the club is open to both the community and the student body. Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons

A golden retriever wearing a purple training vest walks beside other handlers and guide dogs nearby. — Andrea Prybyla walks Láska, a service dog in training with Susquehanna Service Dogs, during a training exercise with Penn State Roar for More. The dogs practice weaving around other dogs and handlers, while staying focused on their trainers. When the dogs reach 18 months, they will move to advanced training in Grantville, Pennsylvania, as a step closer to being a certified service dog. Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons

A student trainer smiles while rewarding a black Labrador retriever sitting on a platform scale during a service dog training session. — Allison Hoover rewards Detroit while he sits on a weight scale as part of the weekly training session for the service puppies. Currently, seven puppies are being cared for and trained by students in the Roar for More: Susquehanna Service Dog University Park Puppy Club. Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons

A black Labrador retriever puppy sits on the floor wearing a purple training vest and looks up attentively. — Cody, a service puppy with Susquehanna Service Dogs, sits and looks up at a treat during a training session in the Penn State Ag Arena. Students with Penn State Roar for More help socialize and train future service dogs by practicing obedience and focus exercises. Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons

A student sits on the floor holding a golden retriever puppy wearing a purple training vest during a service dog training session. — Caleb Wasielewski sits with Dallas during a training session with Penn State Roar for More at Pennsylvania State University Park. Wasielewski practices calm handling and focus exercises while rewarding the pup during the session. Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons

A black Labrador retriever puppy wearing a purple training vest lies on the floor and looks up attentively at a seated handler during a service dog training session. — Brooklyn waits patiently at the beginning of the Roar for More: SSD University Park Puppy Club's weekly training session. The puppies practice obedience and focus exercises as part of their early training before going up into the next class as they get bigger. Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons

Last Updated March 6, 2026

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