ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. — Walking through a college campus, you wouldn't typically see a puppy.
But Samantha Machmer and Labrador Retriever Farmer can be found walking Elizabethtown College's campus every day.
"People just smile when they see him, and I love that," said Machmer.
The junior piloted E-town's first service dog training program on campus.
"People will come up and pet him," she said. "People are really great about when he's in vests. They know he has a job to do."
Farmer is working to become a Susquehanna Service Dog. The nonprofit, based in Grantville, utilizes volunteers like Machmer to raise and train service dogs for individuals with disabilities.
"So, he's going to show us in the next 18 months what he loves to do and what he's good at doing," she said. "And that's what he'll do with his life."
The 6-month-old black lab lives right on campus with her. As a puppy raiser, the occupational therapy major is teaching him basic manners, cues and skills.
You can often find the pair out and about, helping Farmer become more comfortable working and behaving in public.
"I think it just really adds to the E-town experience of educating for service," said Machmer. "I have so many opportunities to educate people on Susquehanna Service Dogs and what they can do."
After his training is complete, Farmer will then be partnered with his forever person.
"It's bittersweet, but more sweet than bitter," Machmer said. "I'm very attached, and he's a wonderful puppy, but it will be more wonderful to see the lives he's going to change."
If you'd like to learn more about the Susquehanna Service Dogs program, head here.