Litter legacy

Volunteer Deb Buergler

As a lifelong dog lover, Deb Buergler’s passion for puppies runs deep. She has always been surrounded by dogs, many that have had litters, and over the years, she and her daughters became skilled on the ins and outs of puppy care.

This sparked Deb’s desire to continue the experience with her grandchildren. And so, Deb’s role as an Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN) Litter Host began.

As a Litter Host, Deb opens her home to a pregnant ICAN dog two weeks before her puppies are born. This gives her time to bond with the mother dog and ensure the dog feels comfortable in her new environment.

Once the puppies are born, Deb is hands-on in every step of their early lives. At just three days old, she and ICAN’s whelping team start Early Neural Stimulation (ENS), which jumpstarts the puppies’ physical and neurological development.

The whelping team consists of medical professionals like Moe Kiley, ICAN’s Breeding and Medical Manager, Dr. Jamie Young, ICAN’s veterinarian, and Nancy Shyrock, mentor to the Litter Host team. Deb is also supported by numerous ICAN Litter Sitters, who are volunteers who assist in caring for the puppies and participate in early environmental exposure and foundational training activities.

Although Deb leads the process, she is never alone; throughout the journey, she has the full support of her family and ICAN’s team.

Her grandchildren frequently visit to help with the puppies' basic care, and her daughter, Shelly, a veterinary technician, has helped with several of the births.

Each day, the team weighs the puppies, manages feeding schedules and ensures they are all thriving and healthy. The puppies stay with Deb for the first four weeks of life before starting their next phase of training.   

One of the most heartwarming moments for Deb is when the puppies are transferred to the prison program at four weeks old, where they receive more training from ICAN’s incarcerated handlers.

“It is truly unbelievable to see the incarcerated individuals get so excited about puppies,” Deb explained. “I never feel sad giving the puppies to the prison team. I know they are so well-taken care of.”

Deb thrives on the challenge and reward that being a Litter Host brings. The sheer joy of watching the puppies grow from newborn to healthy service dogs is a constant source of fulfillment for her.

As for her future as a Litter Host, Deb joked, “I’ve hosted four litters so far, but I’m hoping to host at least 10 more!”

If you’d like to help unleash possibilities like Deb, contact ICAN Volunteer and Education Manager Julie Mathias at juliem@icandog.org.