Bobby P. is a self-assured 22-year-old young man with a mission: to become a master dog trainer.

Bobby has lived with his paternal grandmother under Casey Family Services' kinship care program for a major part of his young life. From the age of 12 through 19, he received love, guidance and support from his grandmother and Casey social workers. During that time, he struggled with a learning disability: auditory processing deficit.

Despite this challenge, Bobby was highly motivated to complete high school. In 1998, he entered Casey's Independent Living Program and transferred to a new school. He has since graduated and is planning to pursue formal instruction in dog training.

"My grandmother did an excellent job with me. If every foster child could have someone like her in their life, they would have no problems. She gave me the tools to succeed, self-discipline, and the ability to believe in myself and never to give up. And I think that's the thing that teenagers who are going out on their own need."