Bella & Cali Scholarship Fund

The Bella & Cali Scholarship was created by Effingham Retrievers to honor the extraordinary impact that dogs can have on people’s lives. Bella and Cali are more than foundation dogs in our breeding program—they represent hope, healing, resilience, and unconditional love. Over the years, many of their puppies have gone on to become service dogs, emotional support companions, and beloved family members. Families have shared stories of these dogs helping children with disabilities gain confidence, encouraging children who struggle to express their emotions to open up, comforting individuals through grief and mental health challenges, and providing unwavering companionship during difficult times. Bella and Cali have also changed my own life. During some of my darkest moments, they were a constant source of comfort and strength. Their loyalty and unconditional love reminded me that healing often comes from the quiet presence of a dog who simply refuses to leave your side. The goal of this scholarship is to celebrate those same life-changing connections. We want to encourage students to reflect on the bond they share with a dog and how that relationship has shaped their character, resilience, outlook on life, or future aspirations. Through personal storytelling, applicants will have the opportunity to honor a dog that has made a lasting impact while inspiring others with their experiences. We chose this essay prompt because every dog has a story, and every person who has truly loved a dog has one too. Whether a dog helped someone overcome grief, navigate anxiety, build confidence, discover a career path, or simply become a better person, those stories deserve to be shared. Our hope is that The Bella & Cali Scholarship not only helps students pursue higher education but also reminds people of the incredible difference a dog can make in someone’s life.