DAVIS (CBS13) – A Davis teenager is using his love for animals to help people in need by breeding service dogs.

A list of color coded collars hangs on the garage wall for each pup. There are nine puppies, eight yellow, one black and mom Deedee is always nearby.

“This is her third litter,” said Josh. “This is a great thing we have done.”

It has been two years now since a then-13-year-old Josh started searching for a bar mitzvah project when he noticed a dog in a Canine Companions for Independence vest.

“I started asking a lot of questions about what they were going through and what it was for,” said Josh.

At 8 weeks old, he got Deedee with plans for her to be a service dog. At 2 years old, he turned her in.

“I was scared she was going to be released to us, not a bad thing, but my vision was for her to help someone,” said Josh.

To his surprise, the news was even better. Deedee was chosen to be a breeding dog.

It’s a labor of love for his whole family, and now this is what they all do.

“I enjoy it because I am a dog person. I love taking care of animals and I want to help the community,” said Josh.

These dogs are not just sent to the surrounding areas, but all over the country as companions for people with different needs.

Josh, at his young age, is able to separate himself enough to hand them off.

“They’re hard to let go, but I have to let them go because I want them to go to someone who really needs them,” said Josh.

Josh’s family started a Yahoo! group to keep track of all the puppies that have been released.

Support from Canine Companions for Independence is free to all of those who qualify.