Powder Finds Her Footing

Specialized care and extraordinary support help service dog in training start off on the right paw

On February 9, 2026, Freedom Service Dogs (FSD) Nursery Health Coordinator Kaitlynn VanDyke and other members of the nursery team were helping to welcome a litter of future service dogs into the world when they noticed something unexpected.

The first three puppies arrived without a hitch, but when the fourth puppy was born, Kaitlynn recognized that something was different about her.

“I did a thorough inspection of the puppy. Her legs looked off, but she had the proper number of toes and her legs were fully formed—they were just jelly-like,” Kaitlynn recalled. “We had never seen this before at FSD, but we instantly knew something was atypical. Fortunately, we also knew how to help her.”

The puppy, later named Powder, was loved from the moment she was born. Though she was different from any of her siblings and other puppies born into our program, she became a powerful example of the heights our dogs can reach with the support of specialized care, innovative collaboration, and FSD’s commitment to giving every dog in our program the opportunity to reach their full potential. Because at FSD, we know that preparing dogs for successful futures as assistance dogs starts long before they are partnered with someone who needs them.

From the Very Beginning

Through ethical purpose breeding decisions and careful health and temperament screening of parent dogs, FSD strives to give each puppy in our program the strongest possible genetic foundation needed to become successful, life-changing assistance dogs. But genetics are only a piece of the equation. A puppy’s early experiences, environment, socialization, and care also play a critical role in shaping who they become as adult dogs. That is why, from day one, highly skilled nursery staff like Kaitlynn are there to provide each puppy with the specialized care and support they need during their earliest weeks of life. 

Kaitlynn has been an essential member of the nursery team since 2022. Drawing on her background caring for neonatal animals—including years of fostering newborn rescue kittens—she has helped to whelp and raise hundreds of future assistance dogs, playing a vital role in their health, development, and early socialization.

Over the years, Kaitlynn has learned that no two puppies are exactly alike. Each one has their own personality, strengths, and needs. And sometimes, they also have unexpected challenges that require additional support. Luckily, Kaitlynn, other members of the FSD team, and volunteers know just how to help them start life off on the right paw. 

A Puppy Unlike Any Other

Powder’s arrival presented a new challenge that allowed Kaitlynn and the nursery team to put their expertise and creativity to the test.

At just one day old, Powder was examined by one of FSD’s veterinary partners and an orthopedic veterinary specialist. Kaitlynn’s suspicion was confirmed—Powder was diagnosed with swimmer puppy syndrome, a rare condition affecting neonatal puppies that causes the limbs to splay outward and makes standing and walking difficult. However, with early intervention and following a specialized protocol, affected puppies can develop properly and avoid potential long-term health and mobility challenges.

Fortunately, FSD’s team was prepared to support Powder. Through collaboration with breeding consultants, specialized veterinary partners, and other assistance dog organizations with purpose-breeding programs, FSD already had the protocols in place to guide the care of puppies with swimmer puppy syndrome.

While some may have viewed Powder’s condition as a setback, Kaitlynn and the nursery team saw an opportunity to help her overcome a challenge and grow into an incredible, life-changing service dog for a person who has also experienced hardship of their own

Helping Powder Thrive

Powder’s care was a true labor of love for the entire nursery team and required time, patience, and lots of creativity.

“The goal was to strengthen Powder’s muscles and encourage proper movement patterns so she could continue developing normally,” Kaitlynn explained. “We treated her with typical swimmer puppy protocol by doing something called hobbling, which is when the legs are taped so that her feet are more underneath her. This helps avoid the legs from being splayed out. We also did leg exercises and provided her with extra bumps under the blankets on the floor for her to crawl over to build muscle strength. Additionally, we provided sticky surfaces for more traction to prevent her legs from slipping outward.”

For the first several weeks of Powder’s life, Kaitlynn and the nursery team closely monitored her progress, adjusting her environment and care plan as she grew. But as Powder became bigger and more active, new challenges emerged, such as her legs bowing out and her toes curving inward. Since swimmer puppy syndrome is widely understudied, the protocol didn’t outline solutions for every challenge.

Helping Powder thrive was going to require more than following a protocol… she needed careful observation, innovation, a willingness to adapt, and so much heart from the incredible humans supporting her.

“We came up with the idea of putting something sticky on her little toes, so we searched for pads that would stick to her feet and give her enough traction on the floor. There was trial and error, but we all worked hard to find creative ways to help her, and what we landed on with the sticky pads really made a huge difference in helping her walk and develop,” Kaitlynn said.

By modifying Powder’s environment and providing additional support through traction like the sticky pads, performing special exercises, and doing daily physical therapy, the team helped Powder gain confidence and stability as she learned to stand and walk.

Knowing water therapy could potentially benefit Powder in the future, the team also introduced positive experiences with water early on to help her build confidence if it became part of her continued care.

A New Chapter Begins

After 12 weeks of specialized care and dedication from Kaitlynn and the nursery team, Powder returned to the orthopedic veterinarian for follow-up X-rays. The results were exactly what everyone had hoped for:Powder showed normal development with no signs of additional orthopedic concerns. The puppy who entered the world with unexpected challenges was now developing like a typical puppy and was cleared to continue her journey through FSD’s service dog program. While Powder will continue to receive routine monitoring as she grows, FSD remains incredibly hopeful about her future.

“The specialized care that each and every one of our puppies receive in the nursery makes such a difference in who puppies become as adult dogs. Powder is still in the program because of it, and we were able to learn so much through all of this,” Kaitlynn said. “And because we spent so much extra time with Powder and her littermates, that litter became so people-oriented and good at body handling, which is very important for service dogs. I am so hopeful for their bright futures!”

That knowledge will continue to benefit not only Powder, but other puppies who may face similar challenges as Kaitlynn shares the solutions FSD put in place with other service dog organizations, rescues, and ethical breeders around the world.

Powder Today

Powder’s time in the nursery was only the beginning. Like every dog in FSD’s program, she is continuing to learn, grow, and prepare for the possibility of one day changing someone’s life.

Today, Powder is a happy, outgoing, and playful puppy living with her volunteer puppy raisers, Tina and Norman, who are helping guide her through the next stage of her assistance dog journey. When asked about Powder’s progress, Tina shared that her determination and personality continue to shine. She also shared:

“Powder recently passed her 4 month training assessment, and is currently working on her 6 month goals. She is working on confidence and consistency. Powder is definitely a pup with a nose for routine and is quick to please. She makes us smile and likes to snuggle. If we’re having a stressful day, she nudges us and lays by us or acts silly to bring a smile to our faces.”

With FSD’s guidance, Tina and Norman continue supporting Powder’s training and socialization while helping her maintain the strength and mobility she has worked so hard to develop. To support her continued growth, they incorporate water therapy and physical therapy exercises into her routine, including hip lifts, toe touches, balance board work, and daily massages.

“Norman and I are very hopeful that she will be able to manage the upcoming challenges that will afford her to be a successful service dog,” Tina shared. “She is a fantastic pup.”

A Journey Still Being Written

Like every dog in FSD’s program, Powder will continue to be evaluated throughout her training to determine the type of assistance dog work she is best suited for. Regardless of where her path leads, Powder has already shown the incredible resilience, determination, and adaptability that make assistance dogs so extraordinary.

The very challenges Powder faced at the beginning of her life may become the foundation for the difference she makes in someone else’s. With patience, support, and perseverance, Powder learned to navigate adversity, and one day, those same qualities may help her stand beside a person in need who is experiencing hardship of their own.

Her story is a reminder that with the right support and belief in someone’s potential, challenges do not have to define what is possible. Someday, that same little puppy who needed extra encouragement may be the one providing it to someone else—helping them find greater independence, confidence, and freedom.

Freedom Service Dogs’ nursery welcomes dozens of incredible puppies every year. To support our puppies through every stage of their service dog journey, give a gift today!

Dogs make a difference, and so can you!

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Published 8/20/2026