At Puppy Jake Foundation, we do things a little differently, and that is by design.
Transition is one of those moments that invites reflection. It is a chance to look at how far we have come and where we are headed next. In our program, transition is when everything moves forward at once. Dogs advance to their next phase of training, new puppies enter the program, and the next group of veterans begins preparing for placement. It is a critical point in our cycle, and right now, we are in one of those moments.
We have more service dogs in training that we expect to make it across the finish line than ever before. That is not something that happens by accident. It is the result of years of learning, refining, and building a program that works for our dogs, our volunteers, and ultimately, the veterans we serve.
What Transition Looks Like
As we look ahead to our next session starting in June, the work behind the scenes is already well underway. Transition means confirming available fosters, planning puppy intake, and making sure key milestones like testing, graduation, and off-site trainings are set well in advance. It is about putting all the pieces in place so that every dog and every person involved can move forward with clarity and confidence.
This is where our team really shines. Rhonda, our assistant lead trainer, leads the planning efforts while working to find the right puppies to enter the program. She collaborates closely with Renee, our lead trainer, to thoughtfully assign fosters based on each dog’s needs and each volunteer’s strengths. At the same time, Zac, our veteran liaison, begins connecting with veterans who will soon enter Phase 5 training, which is the final stage where veterans train directly with their service dog. He is also evaluating current Phase 3 dogs moving into Phase 4 and considering potential matches. Maggie, our office manager extraordinaire, works behind the scenes with Rhonda to coordinate transportation and logistics that keep everything running smoothly.
It is a lot to manage, but it works because of the structure we have built.
Why We Built a Different Training Model
For those new to Puppy Jake Foundation, our training program is intentionally designed in phases. Each phase focuses on a specific stage of a dog’s development, from early socialization and foundational skills to advanced public access work and final preparation with a veteran.
We have not always operated this way. Traditionally, service dog training programs follow a loosely phase-based model. Puppies spend their first year focusing on foundational skills, then move into advanced training in their second year before being matched with a veteran.
While that model has worked for decades, we faced challenges. The volunteer commitment was often one to two years, which is a big ask. Dogs at different stages were grouped together, making training and evaluation difficult. Timelines were unclear, which made planning and communication challenging.
In 2022, that began to change. Renee sketched out an idea for a more structured, phase-based program. We landed on four developmental phases and a final finishing phase, and began building around that framework.
One of the biggest changes was how we approached fostering. We shifted to a five-month commitment tied to a specific phase. Fosters play a critical role in our program, raising and training service dogs in their homes while working closely with our trainers.
This model gave volunteers flexibility and clarity. It allowed people to find the phase that fit them best, take breaks when needed, and return when they were ready. It also allowed our team to evaluate dogs more effectively and make timely decisions that support each dog’s success.
Most importantly, it created structure.
We now know when puppies are coming in, when dogs will graduate, and when transitions between phases will happen. That clarity has changed everything. It allows us to grow with intention and ultimately serve more veterans with well-trained service dogs.
Looking Ahead
It has taken four years of learning, adjusting, and refining to get here, and we are still making improvements along the way. But we are confident in what we have built. This system gives us an advantage as we grow to meet the increasing demand of service dogs for veterans.
So when we talk about transition, it is not just a busy season. It is a reflection of how far we have come and a clear signal of where we are going.
And now that you know what goes into it, you can picture what happens next. We pull out our checklists, lean on our team, and get to work making sure everything is ready for the next group of dogs to move forward, and one step closer to being placed with a veteran.
