Good Shepherd K9 Initiative
- Gilroy, CA ·
- Responds within a day
- 100% recommend •
Meet the breeder
I'm Lisa C., the breeder behind Good Shepherd K9 Initiative located in Gilroy, CA. Lisa Cevallos is the founder of the Good Shepherd K9 Initiative, where she raises and trains dogs to become emotional support and therapy companions. Her mission is deeply personal—shaped by her own journey with anxiety, depression, and ADHD, and the comfort she’s found through her dogs. Lisa is passionate about helping others experience that same sense of peace, stability, and unconditional love by placing well-trained, emotionally attuned dogs into homes that need them most.
Q. & A. with Lisa
Why did you start breeding?
Recently, two of my females had litters, and through the experience of nurturing the puppies and intentionally placing them in loving homes, I felt inspired to begin this journey earlier than I had originally planned for retirement.What makes your program special?
I am thoughtfully raising these puppies with a strong foundation for emotional support and therapy work, focusing on temperament, behavior, and early training. They go to their new homes already well-started—almost fully pad trained and able to sit, lay down, shake, stay, and even fetch. I also provide ongoing guidance and support to families after adoption to help set both the puppy and their new home up for long-term success. This work is deeply meaningful to me. As someone who has personally experienced depression, anxiety, and ADHD, I understand the powerful role a dog can play in providing comfort, stability, and emotional support. That experience fuels my dedication to raising dogs that can truly make a positive and lasting impact in people’s lives.What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies include wheaten, white, black and silver, and salt and pepper. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Dolly
Went homeFemale
Cute Cuddly Chacha
Went homeFemale
Super Sweet Summer
Went homeFemale
Tiny Tim
Went homeMale
Cutie Pie Coco
Went homeFemale
Beautiful Baby Berry
Went homeFemale
Tanner
Went homeMale
Miss Mery Maple
Went homeFemale
Boots
Went homeMale
Getting a puppy from Lisa
Lisa has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready, reach out to ask about the puppies or anything else on your mind. You’ll get to know each other through messaging, phone, or video and pay securely, all on Good Dog.
After buyers complete the application and screening process, Lisa partners with them to find the best puppy match.
“At Good Shepherd K9 Initiative, our goal is to create thoughtful, lasting matches between each puppy and their new family. We believe successful placements go beyond appearance—they are based on temperament, lifestyle compatibility, and long-term well-being. Our Matching Philosophy We match puppies based on: Temperament and personality Energy level and activity needs Household environment (children, pets, etc.) Emotional support or therapy goals (if applicable) Experience level of the new owner Each puppy is unique, and we take great care in ensuring the best possible fit for both the puppy and the family.”
Price
“This price includes a health guarantee, puppy wellness examine, deworming, age appropriate vaccinations. docked tail, and dew claw removal by a licensed surgeon, basic training and socialization. Deposit is non-refundable and will be applied to the balance of the rehoming fee.”
Contract & health guarantee
Lisa may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Lisa offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don't hesitate to reach out to Lisa directly.
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on Good Dog
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What's included
From Good Dog
- Lifetime support from Good Dog’s Care Team
- 10% lifetime discount on Figo pet insurance
- Puppy Training Program & private community
Enrichment & socialization
- Various sounds
- Car rides
- Surface & tactile stimulation
- Socialized with children
- Socialized in new places
- Scent introduction
- Daily handling
- Socialized with other dogs
- Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
- Socialized with other animals
Puppy health practices
- Vet check
- First round of shots and deworming
- Vet records
Extras
- Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
- Initial potty training
- Toys
- Food & treats
- Puppy starter kit
- Basic obedience & manners
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Lisa.
Breeder's location
Meet in Gilroy, CA
5698 miles away
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Other pick-up locations
Meet at Oakland Airport
5673 miles away
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Meet in Tracy, CA
5650 miles away
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More about Lisa
Lisa has been a member of Good Dog for 6 months
Lisa was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2026.
Lisa is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Good Shepherd K9 Initiative meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
- Responsible breeding practices
- Health of breeding dogs and puppies
- Puppy environment and enrichment
- Buyer education and policies
Litter and program updates
Lisa C.
Litter update on 28 Sept •…Beautiful Baby Berry is staying close to home! 💜 My heart is so happy knowing she’ll be nearby, and I’m praying I’ll still get to see her from time to time as she grows. 🥹🐾
Paco and Bunny's litter
Lisa C.
Litter update on 27 Sept •…This placement was incredibly special, emotional, and personal for us. 🐾💜 Sweet little Coco truly feels like the perfect match for Mr. Joseph. From the moment they connected, it was clear there was something special between them. Coco will be more than a companion—she will provide comfort, reassurance, and therapeutic emotional support during moments of anxiety and stress. Seeing the joy on Joseph’s face while holding her is exactly why we do this. These are the moments that remind us how powerful the bond between a person and a dog can be. 🐶✨ Congratulations, Joseph and Coco. We are so excited to watch your beautiful journey together. 💜
Paco and Bunny's litter
Lisa C.
Program update on 27 Sept •Chacha is a mommy’s girl already. 💜🙏🏻💜
Lisa C.
Litter update on 27 Sept •Super Sweet Summer went home today. 🙏🏻🩷🙏🏻
Paco and Bunny's litter
Parent dogs
Scout, dad
Miniature Schnauzer
About Scout
Scout is such a handsome, sweet boy who loves to cuddle and be close to his people. He also enjoys going on outings and being part of the adventure. 💙🐾
Sadie, mom
Miniature Schnauzer
About Sadie
Sadie, is the heart and staple of our program. She is full of personality and just adores our family. She also loves to be the mama to all the other litters.
Buddy, dad
Miniature Schnauzer
About Buddy
Buddy is a male Miniature Schnauzer. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Lisa decided to make him part of their program. Lisa has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Nala, mom
Miniature Schnauzer
About Nala
Nala is a female Miniature Schnauzer. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Lisa decided to make her part of their program. Lisa has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Parent health testing
Good Shepherd K9 Initiative reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Miniature Schnauzers.
Vet Wellness Exam
A breeder may perform additional tests on their dogs that do not fall into these general categories. These tests may be more uncommon or very specific to a particular breed.
Verified owner stories
Hear what other owners say about working with Lisa to bring home their puppies.
Denise D.
Verified owner · Oct. 2026
Our experience with Lisa was wonderful! She was responsive both before and after we brought Gracie home, and she was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable about the breed. Living in the same town was an added bonus because we were able to meet the puppies beforehand. Lisa took Gracie to the vet and sent her home with a puppy bag. She went above and beyond to make the transition as smooth as possible and to help make our first few days together easier. Knowing that Gracie would become an emotional support dog for our family, Lisa’s care and support meant so much to us. We are beyond happy and feel truly blessed to have our sweet girl, Gracie! We highly recommend Lisa and Good Shepherd K9 Initiative! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
