3-Month-Old Dutch Begins Service Dog Journey At Hofstra

HEMPSTEAD, NY — Hofstra University has welcomed a new four-legged member to campus — and he has an important job ahead.

Dutch, a 3-month-old golden Labrador retriever, arrived at Hofstra through a new partnership with America’s VetDogs and will spend more than a year on campus preparing to become a service dog for a veteran or first responder with disabilities.

Hofstra is the first college or university to participate in America’s VetDogs’ Puppy With a Purpose program, according to the university.

The program allows organizations and their communities to help raise future service dogs while learning about the independence the dogs can provide to veterans and first responders with disabilities.

Hofstra is now looking for a student to serve as Dutch’s volunteer co-raiser.

The selected student will work alongside Dr. Deborah L. Elkis-Abuhoff, an associate professor of counseling and mental health professions who is serving as Dutch’s primary raiser. Together, they will introduce Dutch to different people, places and everyday situations while helping teach him the foundational skills he will need before formal service-dog training.

Elkis-Abuhoff also serves as a staff psychologist for America’s VetDogs and is faculty adviser to Hofstra’s Student Veterans of America chapter.

“Welcoming Dutch and inviting a student to help raise him gives the entire Hofstra community a hands-on opportunity to learn, lead, and serve while helping prepare a future service dog to change someone’s life,” Hofstra Senior Vice President Jessica Eads said.

Dutch’s name is a nod to the Dutch heritage of William Hofstra, whose estate became the site of the university.
America’s VetDogs President and CEO John Miller, a Hofstra alumnus, said the university is the nonprofit’s first collegiate partner in the program.

“Dutch’s journey will bring students, faculty, staff, and alumni together around a shared purpose: helping someone who has served our country or communities gain greater independence, confidence, and the ability to Live Without Boundaries,” Miller said.

Dutch will remain at Hofstra until he is between 14 and 18 months old. He will then return to America’s VetDogs’ national training center in Smithtown for advanced instruction with certified service-dog trainers.

The organization provides its assistance dogs to recipients at no cost.

Dutch joins Mack, Hofstra Department of Public Safety’s community resource dog, on campus, though the dogs have different roles. Mack assists with wellness and community engagement, while Dutch’s experiences at Hofstra are intended to prepare him for eventual service work.

America’s VetDogs said it costs more than $50,000 to breed, raise, train and place an assistance dog. The organization and its sister nonprofit, Guide Dog Foundation, have placed more than 3,300 guide, service and facility dogs.

Hofstra students interested in serving as Dutch’s co-raiser can apply through America’s VetDogs.