National Puppy Day is on Sunday, March 23rd, this year.

Puppies have a way of melting hearts instantly—their wiggly tails, soft paws, and that irresistible puppy breath!

Over the years, I’ve had the joy of photographing many puppies. Some of the most special ones have been those at Freedom Service Dogs.

This incredible non-profit transforms lives by pairing people with custom-trained assistance dogs. A few years ago, they made an exciting shift—rather than receiving older dogs, they began breeding and raising their own puppies on-site. This change allows them to carefully manage each puppy’s health and early experiences, ensuring they get the best possible start in life.

INSIDE THE PUPPY NURSERY

Freedom Service Dogs’ nursery is nothing short of amazing! Access is extremely limited, and strict safety protocols are in place to keep the puppies healthy. Anyone entering must:
✅ Leave their shoes at the door
✅ Wash up thoroughly for sanitation
✅ Wear freshly bleached scrubs and dedicated Crocs

Once inside, it’s pure puppy magic! The nursery staff and volunteers shower the pups with attention, exposing them to different environments and experiences that help shape them into confident, well-rounded service dogs. Their kennels and play spaces recently got a major upgrade. This gives the puppies even more opportunities to explore and learn.

GROWING INTO SERVICE SUPERSTARS ✨

From an early age, these puppies start learning essential skills, including basic commands and house-training. During the week, they train on-site, but on weekends, they head to foster homes. This helps them adjust to real-life home environments before eventually being placed with their future person—a life-changing moment for both the dog and their human.

WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

If spending time with adorable, future service dogs sounds like a dream (spoiler: it totally is!), you can volunteer at the nursery or become a weekend foster parent. Visit Freedom Service Dogs’ website to learn more!

And if you’re thinking about bringing a puppy into your own life, consider adopting from a non-profit rescue. I have a list of 50+ incredible rescues in Colorado, some of which have puppies available. If you’d like a copy, use my contact page—I’d love to share it with you!