UCA’s Living Unleashed recently lost a portion of student activity fee allocation funding.

“The cuts have given us the opportunity to reach out to our campus community and let them know the mission of Living Unleashed and the good work that we do. It has also provided our members with the chance to speak out around campus about all of the benefits a student receives as part of our organization. 

“They are also learning how important educating our UCA community on service dog etiquette is to the success of our puppy-raising program on campus,” Cheryl Theall, Living Unleashed adviser said.

The lost funding was due to semester fluctuations in money allocated by SAFA each semester.

Vice President of Finance Phoenix Vu said, “Last semester, Living Unleashed was allocated $2,737.50. This semester, they were allocated $1,600. However, it should be noted that they receive funding through SAFA and every RSO’s SAFA funding varies each semester.”

“The amount that any given RSO is allocated from SAFA fluctuates, some received more this semester than the last while others received less.

“Every SAFA session is different, but SAFA Committee bases our decisions on the RSO’s budget, their presentation, SAFA rules and precedent. Most importantly, we equally apply our decisions and conditions to every RSO. For example, SAFA is explicitly not allowed to fund food, so we did not fund Living Unleashed for dog food just as we did not fund any other RSO for food,” Vu said.

Despite the budget cuts, Living Unleashed has continued educating students on campus and creating community.

“The journey of joining Living Unleashed and becoming a puppy raiser has given me a sense of community and a valuable life experience,” Living Unleashed Vice President Emily Norrell said. “Being able to raise a service dog for someone in need so they can gain their independence was life-changing. It opened up a different perspective for me.”

One goal of Living Unleashed is for others to learn more about service dogs and accessibility.

“When I go around campus or town, I tend to notice some of the things that aren’t accessible for those with needs,” Norrell said. “I wouldn’t have changed my decision to raise a pup for the world. I have loved this experience.”

“Not many people around campus are informed about Canine Companions or service dogs in general,” Norrell said.

Canine Companions is a nonprofit organization that provides disabled people with service dogs.

Living Unleashed President Grace Wagner said Living Unleashed is the only program of its kind in the state, and it deserves more recognition.

“I feel like UCA Living Unleashed is one of the most underrated and valuable RSOs on campus not only because of what our mission is but because of what it does for students and the campus as a whole,” Wagner said.

“This program has allowed our campus to be viewed as one that prioritizes extraordinary volunteer experiences of its students and has allowed our campus to become known within the service dog community across the country all because of our club,” she said.

“We are one of 25 collegiate puppy-raising groups across the country and we were the first one of its kind in Arkansas. 

“We are leading the way for service dog training in Arkansas and I know it will grow to be even more profound if given the chance,” Wagner said. “We only need people to give us a chance to realize that what we are doing on campus and in Arkansas is so much greater than we will ever see.”

The club also offers students leadership and community service opportunities.

“This club has allowed me to realize that I was to incorporate animal-assisted therapy into my future career as a PT [physical therapist],” Wagner said.

“I found a passion for it and know that I want to use it to help others. This club has also allowed me to take on leadership roles that I have never done before. 

“I’ve learned how to step outside of my comfort zone, help others, organize events and build relationships within my community,” Wagner said.

The Faculty Senate will discuss a proposed resolution April 24 that would allocate $500 to Living Unleashed based on its presentation to the senate April 9.

Living Unleashed is open for any student to join through CubConnect, and are on social media @uca.living.unleashed.