Throughout his lifetime, Cody Gotchall has balanced his academic responsibilities with a commitment to helping others in his community. He has volunteered with local humane societies, with various dog shows, and as a private provider of dog and cat care. An experienced participant in 4-H, Cody Gotchall has trained his own dog in showmanship, obedience, and rally obedience.

Cody Gotchall has also painted interiors for Habitat for Humanity and volunteered his time at local churches. He has balanced his volunteerism with the pursuit of such diverse personal interests as robotics, reading, fishing, and hiking. He enjoys playing cribbage due to its strategic nature and follows local college baseball for the same reasons.

As a student, Cody Gotchall has studied at Oregon State University and Linn-Benton Community College, where he studied towards a degree in accounting. He had previously attended Crescent Valley High School. In all of his academic, pre-professional, and personal endeavors, he adapts to the challenges of autism and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).