Canine Companions Assistance Dog Team Sponsorship

Canine Companions for Independence ended the 2013 on a very strong and positive note.  In 2013, Canine Companions placed 254 assistance dogs with adults and children with disabilities.  Every graduate, from all five regions served by Canine Companions received their assistance dog free of charge.  In addition, Canine Companions met the graduate follow-up services/visit goal again.  The follow up contact made by our program team with graduates ensures that the partnership between assistance dog and graduate is working well.

In January, the first Team Training Class gets underway, with the first Hearing Dog Class of 2014.  That will be held at the Jean and Charles Schulz Campus at Canine Companions headquarters in Santa Rosa, CA.  There will be a second Team Training held beginning in late January that will feature the placement of facility dogs.

As we enter the new year, we are proud of our achievements, but know we have many more people to help.  The contributions we receive ensure that more adults and children with disabilities will benefit from having a Canine Companions Service, Skilled Companion, Facility or Hearing Dog.  We look forward to placing more dogs in 2014, and making a difference in the lives of more adults and children with disabilities.

There are more than 1,850 active graduate teams, and since our founding in 1975, more than 4,250 assistance dogs have been placed. 

“Tatiana has changed my life in every sense ofthe word,” Cristina explains.

“Sherlock is a bridge to our clients’ success,”Kristen shares about Canine Companions Facility Dog Sherlock.

“Kane helps me by opening doors and picking things up off the ground for me,” Vijay says. “He helps me get things to my lap level rather than me having to bend over to pick them up.”

Those quotes come from three of the more than 1,850 active Canine Companions for Independence graduates.

Adults, including Veterans and children with disabilities receive their Canine Companion assistance dog and all graduate follow-up services free of charge.  That's made possible by people like you who provide the gift of independence to people with disabilities who are served by Canine Companions.

As we enter the fourth quarter of 2013, Canine Companions is optimistic  our assistant dog placement goal will be reached, if not exceeded.  200 assistance dogs have been placed already this year, and we’re far from finished.  Our Northwest, Southwest, North Central, Northeast and Southeast Regional centers will all hold Team Training classes this fall.  On November 8, all five centers will hold graduation ceremonies.  If you live near one of our centers, please attend the ceremony.  You'll see for yourself the difference an assistance dog can make.

To learn more about Canine Companions for Independence, we invite you to visit us at cci.org.  If you know
someone who could benefit from having an assistance dog, please encourage them to apply for an assistance dog.