I saw how it touched people's lives and that raising guide dogs was such a good program. Czelusta spent nine years as a Texas 4-H member. Participating in community service projects, such as raising guide dogs, is one of the things that stands out most clearly in his mind. When you're young, public service teaches you so much about the real world, like how to communicate, how to lead. A person has to be very committed to their dog, he explained.
Dogs have to house-trained, loved, exercised, played with and fed.
It's a full-time job and lasts between the dog's first and second birthday. Czelusta hopes his schedule next year will allow him the opportunity to raise another. The group helps raise funds for the Guide Dog Foundation and gives information and help to students interested in training dogs. His mother, Peggy Czelusta, is a 4-H club manager in Comal County. She's not at all surprised by her son's volunteer endeavors.