In the USA, July 4 means fireworks, picnics, and a celebration of Independence Day. It seems fitting that on July 4 Canine Companions for Independence will celebrate 35 years of helping people with disabilities achieve independence.
“Exceptional Dogs for Exceptional People”
Canine Companions provides assistance dogs to aid people with disabilities—absolutely free of charge. This is such a wonderful idea that I think it needs repeating: They provide assistance dogs for FREE! (Read more about how to apply for an assistance dog.)
Founded in 1975, Canine Companions is headquartered in Santa Rosa, California with regional training centers located in Delaware, Ohio; Medford, New York; Orlando, Florida; and Oceanside, California. In addition, there are satellite offices in Chicago and Colorado Springs. (Read more about their history.)
Newborn puppies with the potential to do extraordinary things! (photo courtesy of MarkRogersPhotography.com)
Funding
Did you know, it costs over $45,000 for each assistance dog? This covers:
- Birth
- Training (including the human partner)
- Customized follow-up with the graduates
- And the retirement of the dog.
All of this is free of charge to the person with disability thanks to funding provided by contributions, gifts, grants and ongoing fundraising. (Read more about donating.)
“Help is a Four-Legged Word”
Canine Companions trains 4-types of assistance dogs for people with disabilities:
- Service Dogs, for adults
- Skilled Companions, usually for children
- Hearing Dogs, for deaf and hard of hearing
- Facility Dogs, who work in hospitals and similar places
These dogs are Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers or crosses of the two. (Read more about the dogs.)
Claribel, a puppy-in-training
It’s All About the Dog
Not every dog is cut out to be an assistance dog. Regrettably, out of a thousand shelter dogs, you might find one or two who could be trained as effective assistance dogs. To insure the greatest possible success, Canine Companions maintains an extensive and detailed Breeding Program. Dogs chosen are intensively evaluated and carefully selected for:
- Temperament
- Trainability
- Health
- Physical attributes
- Littermate trends
- Dam/sire history
Retired assistance dog, Michael, lives with Janet
But It’s Also About the People
Partnering with the folks at Canine Companions on the journey to providing extraordinary assistance dogs are the volunteers who act as Breeder Caretakers and Puppy Raisers.
There are approximately 149 Breeder Caretakers, and they must live within 90 miles of the Santa Rosa HQ. These folks provide homes for Canine Companions’ breeder dogs. Breeder Caretakers must live close to Santa Rosa because Canine Companions has its own veterinary clinic, where all their dogs receive veterinary care. Close proximity is also important because of the Breeding Program. (Read more about Breeder Caretakers.)
There are approximately 1013 puppy raisers who live all over the United States. They socialize Canine Companions’ puppies and train them in obedience. (Read more about Puppy Raisers.)
At their Regional Training Centers, Canine Companions employs professional trainers who have completed a required 3-year apprentice trainer program.
Lastly, there are the applicants and graduates—the exceptional people for whom these exceptional dogs are being trained. These folks are all looking for ways to reach their next level of independence and excellence. A Canine Companions’ assistance dog is the partner who will help them to do just that!
Teddy, released from the program and adopted by a Canine Companions’ employee , volunteers at the front desk where he greets visitors.”
Timeline for an Assistance Dog
- Birth to 8-weeks: Puppies live with mom and the Breeder Caretaker family where they are socialized to both canines and humans.
- 8-weeks to 15-months: Each puppy moves from mom to a new (and temporary) home with a Puppy Raiser where they are further socialized and learn basic obedience.
- 15-months to approximately 21/24 months: Puppies return to one of Canine Companions’ Regional Training Centers where they are examined for health and temperament then enter a 6- or 9-month training program with professional trainers.
- The last 2 weeks of training, the young adult dog is matched up with their human partner and both are trained together.
- 6-weeks after graduation: Graduates (human and canine) return to the Training Center for fine-tuning of their skills.
- Working life of the dog: A comprehensive follow-up system ensures the ongoing success of the canine/human team.
Learning to pick up dropped keys.
At any time, due to a variety of reasons, puppies and dogs might be released from the assistance dog program or retired from their work as assistance dogs. They are then adopted by Puppy Raisers, the person the dog was partnered with, or other people associated with Canine Companions. Some released puppies might also find a career with another service agency like Drug Enforcement or Border Patrol. (Read more about training).
Puppies take a rest after a play session.
The Wounded Veteran Initiative
I can’t celebrate Independence Day without also remembering and being grateful to the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces (I am an Air Force brat, after all) and whose job it is to protect our nation.
Canine Companions serves our Armed Forces through their Wounded Veteran Initiative, which provides assistance dogs to veterans who have been wounded in combat. (Read more about the Wounded Veteran Initiative)
My Visit to Canine Companions
During the first week of June, I was lucky to be a part of the Eukanuba photo and video shoot which took place at the headquarters of Canine Companions in Santa Rosa, California. I met some incredible people and got to play with some extraordinary (and adorable) puppies! But that’s another blog post……
Happy Birthday U.S.A.
and
Canine Companions for Independence!!
An extraordinary puppy.
