Nurturing Dogs Training for a Life of Service

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Jessica Rabin. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

By day, Jessica Rabin is an English professor. But the work doesn’t stop when she heads home after a long day of teaching.
As a hearing-impaired person, Jessica knows how beneficial a service dog can be. Currently paired with her third hearing dog, Caleb, she sees daily how his assistance improves her life significantly. When Jessica was looking to get involved with a service dog organization as a volunteer years ago, she instantly aligned with the Warrior Canine Connection’s mission when they visited a psychology class on her campus.

While she wasn’t quite sure how much work she could take on, Jessica signed on as a volunteer puppy sitter.
Jessica now provides a safe and loving home for the military service dogs when their raisers are out of town or just need a short break. Her home is lovingly referred to as “Camp Caleb,” and she sends the puppy parents daily photos and updates to keep them posted on how their dogs are doing.

While Jessica never boasts about her dedication, her work has been significant for the WCC community. Since 2022, Jessica has devoted over 1,800 hours to serving as a puppy sitter for the animals as they prepare for life as service dogs for disabled combat veterans. Ranging in age from three months to almost two years old, the dogs also have the potential to take on roles as facility dogs and military family support dogs. If the dogs aren’t meant for a life of service, they still go to military veteran families, where their days consist of belly rubs and emotional support.

Whether she’s shuttling dogs from their raiser to her home or assisting with editorial work for the organization, Jessica’s willingness to go the extra mile is a powerful endorsement of the power of volunteering.

Tell us about your volunteer role with Warrior Canine Connection.

I’m a puppy sitter. I take care of the puppies when the raisers go out of town or if they just need a break. In our organization, the raisers do the heavy lifting. They’re the ones who take the puppies into their homes for 18 months, and we need to support them by providing that backup. It’s also really good for the puppies because they need to learn, early and often, that lots of different people can meet their needs and that’s going to ease their transition to their veteran. Different households have different types of experiences. One household might have children, another might have senior family members, and some people have cats, vacuum cleaners and hardwood floors. It’s all good for the puppies on their journey.

What inspired you to get started with this initiative?

I had been looking for the right volunteer fit for about 15 years. I’m hard of hearing, and I’m currently partnered with my third service dog, so I know firsthand the life-changing difference that a service dog makes in terms of independence, confidence and safety. My current hearing dog, Caleb, improves my quality of life immeasurably.

I had always been interested in working with a service dog organization and Warrior Canine Connection came to my campus and did a demo. I was impressed with their accreditation, their philosophy, the way they serve veterans with both visible and invisible wounds, and the way that they honor what’s right for the dogs. If being a service dog isn’t the right path for these dogs, they find the right fit for them. I knew I wanted to get involved. I went through the interview and training process and didn’t look back.

What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?

I’m certainly keeping an open mind. My sitting has evolved, and I’ve taken on some additional roles based on what they need and what I can provide. I’m an English professor, so I edit or proofread anything they send me. But this organization is growing in exciting ways and I’m just very glad to be a part of it. I hope to grow and evolve with them. I almost always have at least one puppy here, so this role is keeping me very busy.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

One of our sayings is that you come for the puppies and stay for the mission. That is true. For me, it’s also been the people. The other volunteers I’ve met and the staff are supportive, kind people. We live in very divisive times, and it’s hard to find a situation where you’re working productively with people who might have different backgrounds and beliefs. Here you’re working together with respect and appreciation on something you both believe in, and that has been very rewarding.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

There’s been so much, both personally and with the dogs. I would go back to the people. It is possible to build something meaningful with people with whom you would disagree in other ways. That has been powerful for me. There’s a Jewish concept called “tikkun olam,” which means repairing the world. To me, that’s what we’re doing here. It’s a way of putting good back into the universe. It’s very meaningful to feel like I’m doing something.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

It’s the connection. It is the only thing that’s going to save us as human beings, not to mention to save our society. It’s that possibility of connection, that feeling of contributing to something you couldn’t do on your own, and yet you’re making a valuable contribution. It’s meaningful. This is how we create meaning. It’s what it means to be human.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

Don’t assume you can’t do it. You just get started, and you end up doing more than you thought possible. Speak to a human being and say, “Look, I might not be able to do this, but I can do that.” Then it turns out there is a place for you. Don’t cut off the possibilities without trying.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

Even if you think you might not be able to do something, give it a shot and see what happens. When I filled out that form, they asked, “Would you be willing to take a dog to training class once a week?” I was like, “No, I can’t do that. I don’t have enough time. I have a schedule.” Now, I’m like, “Sure, how many dogs do you want me to take?” Open yourself up to the possibilities.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Jessica? Find local volunteer opportunities.