STAFFORD, Kan. (AP) — A group of high school students in Stafford has been training service and therapy dogs to donate to a person who could use the animals’ help.

The Hutchinson News  reports that Stafford High School teacher Mike Cargill started the “Training to Lead” program four years ago to help people with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries or mobility issues.

Each student in the program fosters and trains a dog. Senior Brooke McNickle says that letting go of her dog, Ellie, will be hard, but that she’s comforted knowing she’ll go to a good cause.

The program gives the dogs free of charge to the recipients, who get training on how to handle their new companion.

The program is funded by donations and fundraisers. It spends about $1,000 on each dog.