Every October, Subaru dealerships across the country celebrate Subaru Loves Pets, a month dedicated to supporting organizations that improve the lives of our four-legged friends. At Schomp Subaru, we've always been proud to participate in this initiative, traditionally partnering with local animal shelters to help pets find their forever homes.

This year, we're taking a different approach. And we couldn't be more excited about it.

Meet Canine Partners of the Rockies

We're thrilled to announce our Subaru Loves Pets Partnership with Canine Partners of the Rockies (CPOTR), a Colorado nonprofit with a mission that resonates deeply with everything Subaru stands for: making the world a better place through meaningful connection and independence.
Established in 2002 by four individuals with a passion for the human-canine connection, CPOTR is a 501(c)(3) organization accredited by Assistance Dogs International. They breed, raise, and train highly skilled service dogs specifically for Coloradans with various disabilities. These aren't emotional support animals or therapy dogs - these are highly trained service dogs who perform specific tasks that transform their partner's daily life. From opening doors and drawers to retrieving dropped objects, helping with laundry, and countless other tasks, CPOTR service dogs offer their partners something priceless: independence.

And here's the part that truly sets CPOTR apart: every service dog is provided for no placement fee.

Colorado-Focused, Lifetime Commitment

What makes CPOTR unique is its exclusive focus on Colorado. By serving only Coloradans, they can provide hands-on support, encouragement, and ongoing training throughout the entire lifetime of each partnership. They don't just place a dog and walk away—they stay connected, ensuring both the human and canine partner have a happy, fulfilling experience for years to come.

This commitment to being there for their partnerships is what drew us to CPOTR. There are more than 275,000 people in Colorado who live with disabilities and face significant barriers every day. Simple tasks like opening doors, picking up dropped objects, doing laundry, or even going outside for fresh air can seem insurmountable. CPOTR envisions a world where people with disabilities are never isolated from friends, family, and everyday life.

Why We Believe in This Partnership

For years, we've supported animal shelters, and that work is incredibly important. But this year, we wanted to shine a light on a different kind of mission—one that demonstrates the profound impact dogs can have beyond companionship.

CPOTR's work is about more than rescuing animals or finding homes. It's about intentionally breeding, raising, and training dogs with a specific purpose: to change lives. Each service dog represents careful breeding selection from breeders CPOTR knows personally and monitors from birth, a year and a half of dedicated puppy raising, and extensive professional training using positive reinforcement methods. The result? A partnership between human and dog that creates freedom, confidence, and independence for individuals who face daily challenges.

This mission aligns perfectly with Subaru's core values. Just as Subaru engineers vehicles that provide safety, reliability, and confidence on the road, CPOTR trains dogs who provide safety, support, and confidence in daily life.

The Heart of CPOTR: Puppy Raisers

One of the most remarkable aspects of CPOTR's program is the role of volunteer puppy raisers. These dedicated individuals open their homes to CPOTR puppies for the first 2 years of the dog's life, providing the foundation of socialization, basic obedience, and love that prepares these pups for their future careers as service dogs.

CPOTR puppies are specifically bred to become service dogs, and they're trained using clicker training and positive reinforcement methods in loving homes. This approach allows puppies to learn in a highly rewarding atmosphere that encourages them to try new things and learn quickly.

Puppy raising is no small commitment, but it's one of the most rewarding volunteer opportunities available. Imagine knowing that the puppy you snuggled, trained, and loved will go on to transform someone's life, giving them the independence to live on their own terms.

CPOTR carefully matches each puppy raiser with a dog and provides ongoing training, support, and resources throughout the 2-year raising period. When it's time for the puppy to move on to their forever partner, raisers experience the bittersweet joy of knowing they've played a crucial role in creating a life-changing partnership.

Join Us: Meet CPOTR at Schomp Subaru

We invite our entire community to learn more about this incredible organization and discover how you can get involved. CPOTR will be at Schomp Subaru for two special events:

Friday, October 24th, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Saturday, October 25th, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

During these events, you'll have the opportunity to:

 

• Meet a trained CPOTR service dog and see firsthand the incredible skills these dogs possess
• Talk with CPOTR representatives about their mission and impact
• Learn what it takes to become a puppy raiser and whether it might be right for you
• Ask questions about the training process, time commitment, and support provided
• Take home a free Halloween costume for your own furry friend (while supplies last!)

 

Whether you're interested in becoming a puppy raiser, simply want to learn more about service dogs, or are looking for a fun family activity, we'd love to see you there.

A Partnership We're Proud Of

This partnership represents more than just a one-time event. It's a reflection of our commitment to supporting organizations that make a tangible difference in our community. CPOTR's work creates ripple effects—transforming not just the lives of their clients, but also enriching the lives of puppy raisers, volunteers, donors, and everyone who witnesses the incredible bond between a service dog and their partner.

CPOTR's approach respects that every person has unique needs and every dog has its own distinctive temperament and skills. Their experience has shown that the key to a successful lifetime partnership is pairing the right dog with the right person. They won't place a dog unless they're convinced it's the right match-up, which means their partnerships are built to last.

As we celebrate Subaru Loves Pets this October, we're reminded that love comes in many forms. Sometimes it's the love between a rescue dog and their adoptive family. And sometimes it's the love between a service dog and their partner—a bond built on trust, training, and the life-changing gift of independence.

We're honored to support Canine Partners of the Rockies, and we invite you to join us in celebrating this amazing organization.

See you on October 24th or 25th!

 

For more information about Canine Partners of the Rockies, visit their website.