Kurt Able said he had a rough childhood and made some bad choices, but Nikka should keep him heading in the right direction.

Nikka is a German shepherd and for the next 18 months, Able will be working with the dog as part of a pilot program that teaches a group of Peoria High School juniors to be trainers. The project is coordinated by the Foundation for Service Dog Support Inc. and the high school.

On Wednesday, the 12 puppies were presented to their student trainers - all of them juniors who met program criteria, including grade point requirements, letters of recommendation and interviews.

Eventually, Nikka will be placed with Peoria police detective Bill Weigt, who was shot in the chest and paralyzed three years ago.

Weigt, who coaches Pop Warner football from the sidelines in his wheelchair, anticipates Nikka helping him in many ways, from picking up dropped keys to retrieving water bottles.

"She can also get me my phone so I can call someone to get me back into my chair (when I fall)," Weigt said.

Able said he has been changing things in his life, and this is another opportunity to do so.

"I'm getting good grades and turning my life around," Able said. "What's better than giving to a police officer?"

The puppies vary from purebred Labrador retrievers to mixed breeds. They came from a variety of sources, including private breeders and the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control.

Students will begin by teaching puppies basic obedience work, and then advance to specialized skills that would be needed for each specific dog recipient. The puppies will attend school with the students - starting off first in a puppy day care, where other students will be responsible for walking and socializing the animals during the day. And after passing obedience class, the puppies will attend classes with their handlers all day and live with the students around the clock. The summer will be spent in ongoing training and attending weekly classes.

Once training is complete, at the end of the students' senior year in 2010, the dogs will go to disabled military, police, fire or other community members who need and qualify for a service dog. Having the students train the dogs cuts the purchase price from about $20,000 to $5,000.

Students receive credit for raising the dogs through the professional internship program.

Internship coordinator Jan Delgado said the program will teach the school, as well as the whole community, about the role of service dogs.

"The students will be going into class and training the staff and students about disabilities and service dogs, and giving back to the community," Delgado said. "I believe the whole school will be touched by this."

Upon graduation, the puppies and students will have passed various canine testing and certifications, and the students will be granted senior instructor status on their 18th birthday and will be eligible to be hired by the Foundation for Service Dog Support training program. Delgado said there is some talk about the students and their dogs walking together during graduation, signifying the graduation of the dogs in the program and the students from high school.

The final semester will be spent introducing the dogs to their new owners.

Relinquishing Nikka in 18 months will be rough, Able said.

"But knowing Bill will take good care of her helps," Able said.

To offset the cost for Weigt's dog, BJ's Restaurant is hosting a fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 3, with all of the proceeds going towards Weigt's costs for the program and training of Nikka. The restaurant is at 9748 W. Northern Ave. For information call 623-772-6470.

Brittany Shields is training Max, a 6-month-old golden retriever adopted from the pound, hoping that her brother, Michael, can purchase him as his assistance dog.

Michael, 29, was paralyzed from the neck down in a car accident in which his best friend was driving drunk.

Brittany is participating in the program as a guest student from Centennial High School. Her mom, Susan, who is an assistant nurse with Centennial, had seen the puppy training program advertised on the school's website, requesting one more student trainer.

Susan said she had checked into getting Michael a service dog a few years ago but the cost was prohibitive.

Michael said a service dog could help him open doors and retrieve his mouth piece, which he uses to maneuver his wheel chair.

"And even if it doesn't work out for us for Max to become my service dog, it will be a good opportunity for them to train him with a person who has disabilities," Michael said.

Donations for the puppy training program may be directed to Delgado at 602-290-3628.