A service dog opened doors for this senior

For Emma Levick, a dog made all the difference; in this case, a service dog named Zia.

In 2022, just a week before starting classes her first year at Pitt, Levick was paired with a golden retriever-Labrador mix from Canine Companions, a national nonprofit that trains and supplies service dogs at no cost to people with disabilities. Levick, who uses a wheelchair, described getting her first service dog as “life-changing” and the key to living independently from her family.

In the last four years, the graduating senior has logged 400 volunteer hours with the student-run club Service Dog in Training Education Program (STEP@Pitt) and Canine Companions, so even more people can benefit from having dogs like Zia.

“I enrolled at Pitt without really knowing if I could do college; it was a wing and a prayer for me. Having Zia when I started helped me gain the confidence to go out and try new things, because I knew that he was right there when I needed help,” said Levick, who’s graduating with a history degree from the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences.

Zia has since retired from his service dog role but continues to live with Levick, who is now assisted by a Labrador named Midas. He performs a wide range of essential functions for Levick, including helping her do laundry, retrieving dropped items on the floor and opening doors.

What some people might not know about service dogs, said Levick, is that they are classified by the ADA as working animals and are treated as medical equipment — “the cutest medical equipment, ever.”

Through her volunteer efforts, Levick is a strong advocate for the disability community and increased inclusion, said Kayleen Petrovia, manager of public relations and marketing for Canine Companions.

“Emma truly envisions a world that is more inclusive of the disability community, and she is so passionate about being part of that change,” she said. “Her passion is contagious and inspires others to join her efforts to create positive change.”

STEP@Pitt is one of more than 25 student clubs across the U.S. who partner with the Canine Companions Collegiate Puppy Raising program. There are as many as 17 puppies-in-training on the University’s campus at any given time.

College campuses are ideal training grounds for service dogs, said Levick, who has held numerous positions with STEP@Pitt and is now the club’s president.

“A lot of what puppy raising comes down to is socialization, exposing the dogs to things like noise, people and excitement early ensures that they grow up learning how to be calm and confident in those kinds of environments,” she said.

Canine Companions places puppies with Pitt students who act as puppy raisers. That’s where Levick and STEP@Pitt come in — the club serves as a kind of pit crew for the student volunteers by providing funding, dog-sitters, and a pantry with goods like kennels, beds and toys — removing barriers to make raising a puppy on campus more feasible. After 14-16 months in training at Pitt, puppies are transferred to a Canine Companion training center to be matched with a disabled person.

Since the club’s founding in 2017, STEP@Pitt has helped more than 50 puppies excel at Pitt and beyond.

In addition to her club roles, Levick regularly travels from Pittsburgh to Canine Companion’s North Central Training Center in New Albany, Ohio, to support student puppy raisers as their dogs graduate as service dogs. She also regularly shares her story at the organization’s events, encouraging those with disabilities to apply for a service dog and helping to recruit potential volunteers and donors.

“Emma has her own expertise when it comes to the lived experiences of people with disabilities and service dog users but never takes for granted the opportunity to learn from others’ experiences,” said Petrovia. “The Canine Companions community wouldn't be the same without her and Midas.”

Levick found a passion for nonprofits through her work with STEP@Pitt and Canine Companions, and she plans to work for one after graduation.

“I don’t think I would have made it through my freshman year or be in this position to graduate without my service dogs,” she said. “It’s a rewarding experience, giving back.”

Photography by Tom Altany