Canine Companions

In Honor of Apex

Sandrine — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 22:37:58 +0000

CARY, NC – Margot Bennett, a dedicated volunteer puppy raiser for Canine Companions, is setting up a fund in honor of her late service dog in training, Apex. Apex, a yellow lab golden cross, tragically passed away at only five months of age on November 22, 2023. The fund aims to sponsor future service dogs through Canine Companions and to support their mission of providing expertly trained service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities free of charge. Additionally, proceeds from Bennett’s children’s book, Ely, Life as a Service Dog Puppy, will be donated to this fund.

Margot Bennett, an active member of the Cary community for over 30 years, has raised 11 puppies for service, bringing them to various Cary businesses, libraries, schools, and on her errands to socialize them and help them gain confidence. To help educate others about how service dogs become who they are meant to be, Margot published a children’s book, Ely, Life as a Service Dog Puppy, about Ely, one of the service dogs she raised for Canine Companions. Ely’s story is aimed for ages 5-12, told from his point of view, has interactive questions and fun Puppy Talk Q&A.

Service dogs, like Ely, a yellow Labrador Retriever, who was raised by Bennett, play a vital role in the lives of their owners. Miranda Hart, who received Ely three years ago, relies on him to assist with daily tasks due to her connective tissue disorder. Ely’s training enables him to pick things up and help Hart with activities such as laundry, where he tugs on a rope tied to the basket and assists her throughout the process.

Sales from Margot Bennett’s book Ely, Life as a Service Dog Puppy will contribute to the fund created in honor of Apex. By supporting this cause, dog lovers can help sponsor future service dogs and provide companionship and assistance to those in need, while learning and sharing in one dogs’ story.

“All the proceeds from my book are going to go towards a fund that I’ve created at Canine Companions in honor of Apex,” says Bennett . “I feel it is very important that Apex has a legacy, that he wasn’t able to attain on his own. Your gift to Apex’s fund, and purchase of Ely’s book, will help open more doors for people with disabilities. Ely’s story makes a great gift for children, schools and libraries and will help share the amazing mission of Canine Companions.”

For more information on how to donate directly to Margot’s fund, please click here.*

To make purchases of Margot’s book Ely, Life As a Service Dog Puppy, please click here.*

*Please be aware that by clicking the link to this website you are visiting a site that is not managed by Canine Companions. Website security, accessibility and privacy policies may be different than Canine Companions policies. Please read their policies closely.

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Lee Health Welcomes First Facility Dog

Adam Goldman — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 22:10:30 +0000

Lee Health Welcomes First Facility Dog at Gulf Coast Medical Center for Occupational and Physical Therapy Patients

Lee Health is pleased to welcome its newest furry team member, Fitzgerald III, who works at Gulf Coast Medical Center as its first facility dog.

The recently turned two-year-old Labrador Retriever was trained and provided free of charge by the Southeast Region of Canine Companions in Orlando, Florida. Right now, Fitzgerald III is focused on occupational and physical therapy patients. He also offers comfort to patients preparing for procedures.

“Fitzgerald III is adjusting well. Patients and staff look forward to seeing him and we love having him here to help make the hospital stay a little easier for patients and families and aid the recovery process,” said chief nursing and operations executive at Gulf Coast Medical Center, Darcy Allen. “He is dedicated to his job and has such a calming presence for both staff and patients. Sometimes, his presence alone can really make an impact on a patient’s recovery. He trains twice a day and still makes time for fetch, one of his favorite activities. We’ve enjoyed working with Canine Companions and we know it’s the start of a fantastic relationship.”

Fitzgerald III can bring items like tissues to patients, put his head in patients’ laps for comfort, lay on the bed to boost morale, assist patients in walkers, be brushed by neurology patients to work on muscle control and he learns new skills every week.

Occupational and physical therapy teams work alongside Fitzgerald’s team to build on his skills that benefit patients.

He brings the health system’s facility dogs to a total of three, with Dorian and Lemon focusing on pediatric patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.

Facility dogs are highly trained and certified in specific tasks to assist in healthcare settings. Separately, therapy dogs are pets that have been approved to visit and provide comfort and joy. Lee Health’s Pet Therapy program manages all therapy dogs that visit the hospital, with 63 dogs and continues to support the health system at all of hospital campus locations.

Fitzgerald III joined Lee Health and was trained and certified for hospital work at Canine Companions, a national organization that provides service dogs to people with disabilities and facility dogs to professionals in healthcare, criminal justice and educational organizations free of charge to their recipients.

“Canine Companions is excited to partner with Lee Health with the addition of Fitzgerald III to the Gulf Coast Medical Center team. We cannot wait to see his positive impact on patients and learn about all the lives he touches while supporting the work of the hospital,” said Adam Goldman, Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator at Canine Companions. Fitzgerald III was provided and trained by the Canine Companions organization, and the Lee Health Foundation will support his continued care.

To learn more about Fitzgerald III or any of Lee Health’s other facility dogs, please visit www.leehealth.org.*

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The PenFed Foundation partners with Canine Companions to help more veterans get life-changing service dogs

Sandrine — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 17:32:45 +0000

Tysons, Virginia (January 3, 2024

The PenFed Foundation*, a national 501(c)3 founded by PenFed Credit Union, announces a groundbreaking partnership with Canine Companions to help provide more service dogs to veterans and others with a disability. The nationwide campaign is focused on recruiting more volunteer puppy raisers and encouraging more corporations to allow their employees to raise service dogs in the workplace. Canine Companions’ Pilot, a 10-week-old yellow Labrador/Golden Retriever cross, is the face of the new initiative. He’s being raised by PenFed Foundation President Andrea McCarren, her sixth future service dog in training.

“I’ve witnessed firsthand the extraordinary healing power of service dogs,” said McCarren. “Service dogs save lives and there’s never been a greater demand. The PenFed Foundation felt compelled to partner with Canine Companions to address the urgent need for more volunteers to raise puppies and help shorten the wait time for those in need. We also want to highlight the transformative, positive impact on a workplace when an employee raises a service dog.”

Canine Companions is the nation’s premier service dog organization. Founded in 1975, it has already placed more than 8,000 dogs. The organization provides these highly trained service dogs free of charge, but the current wait time to receive one of these dogs can be up to two years.

“Canine Companions is grateful to The PenFed Foundation for this important initiative to increase awareness regarding the need for volunteers across the country to raise future service dogs,” said Canine Companions CEO Paige Mazzoni. “Our expertly trained service dogs begin their journey with volunteers before attending professional training at one of our seven locations. This initiative will help expand our community of support and ultimately help us achieve our goals to create more independence for our injured military veterans, other adults and children with disabilities.”

PenFed Credit Union President and CEO James Schenck introduced the Canine Companions puppy raising program to his employees in 2018. Since then, he’s supported his employees raising nine service dogs at PenFed financial centers across the country.

“Having puppies with such a life changing mission in the workplace builds a culture of kindness and respect. It increases morale, lowers blood pressure and encourages employees to work from the office,” said Schenck. “It’s a wonderful way to give back to those who served and have employees work together to accomplish a meaningful goal.”

Service dogs can only be raised and trained one at a time, and their journey begins with dedicated volunteer puppy raisers. These volunteers play a crucial role socializing the pups from eight weeks of age until 18 months, when they return to Canine Companions for professional training. No formal dog training experience is required to become a puppy raiser. To learn more, go to: www.canine.org/penfedfoundation*

Follow Pilot’s journey on The PenFed Foundation’s social media channels.

About PenFed Foundation

Founded in 2001, The PenFed Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that supports veterans in their transition from service to success. Supported by PenFed Credit Union, the Foundation has provided more than $50 million in financial support to veterans, active-duty service members and military families. The credit union funds the Foundation’s operating costs so 95% of incoming donations go directly to its programs. To learn more, please visit www.penfedfoundation.org*.

About Canine Companions

Canine Companions transforms the lives of children, adults and veterans with disabilities by providing expertly trained service dogs that assist with practical tasks, as well as provide unconditional love and acceptance—free of charge. This powerful relationship leads to increased independence, self-esteem and inclusion for a person with a disability. Established in 1975, Canine Companions is a nonprofit 501(c)3 and has six training centers across the country serving all 50 states. Learn more at canine.org or call 1-800-572-BARK.

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A Look at the Family-wide Benefits of Service Dogs in Autism Care

Hayley Gordon — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 21:15:54 +0000

Canine Companions is proud to be on the forefront of research evaluating the efficacy and impact of service dog placements. Beginning in 2019, we partnered with researchers from the OHAIRE Group, currently at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine, on an innovative study to understand the impact of service dog placements for children with autism and their families.

The results are promising – the study found that service dog placements enhanced and increased social connections for the family as a whole, and decreased experiences of judgement and stigma. Within the family unit, the service dog acted as a unique and individualized intervention for the child with autism.

This collaborative new study with Dr. Maggie O’Haire’s lab was published in Frontiers of Psychiatry. The study explored experiences reported by caretakers of children with autism, including those with a service dog and those on a waitlist to receive a service dog. This qualitative approach looks at service dog placements within the context of a whole family unit and helps provide a richer understanding of the broader impact of a service dog, beyond the child with autism.

Findings show that the service dog has a supportive influence on the child and also the entire family. Service dogs are seen as family members, and help increase the family’s resilience by improving interactions, improving emotional well-being, and as a source of joy. Overall, service dog placements appear to impact and foster resilience within the entire family and looking at the whole family reveals the profound positive impact of service dogs.

Canine Companions proudly places service dogs with children with autism as part of a three-party team: the child, the service dog, and the facilitator who handles the service dog. Through our research collaboration with the University of Arizona, Canine Companions is taking part in novel research seeking a deeper understanding of the nature of this unique three-party, rather than the more typical two-party, service dog placement. This paper is the first in a series on our research focused on how service dog placements help not only the children with autism they serve, but also their families – stay tuned for more!

Here’s a link to the published study.*

Note from the study authors: The research publication uses “identity-first” language (i.e., autistic child), in line with the publisher’s guidelines and the preference of some individuals in the autistic community. However, we recognize that others within the autistic and disability communities prefer “person-first” language (i.e., child with autism). More information and resources can be found at the Disability Language Style Guide*.

*Please be aware that by clicking this link you are visiting sites that are not managed by Canine Companions. Website security, accessibility and privacy policies may be different than Canine Companions policies. Please read their policies closely.

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Red Roof’s Room In Your Heart Program Continues Its Support for Canine Companions This February

Hayley Gordon — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 18:21:26 +0000

Embark on your February travels with Red Roof and support Canine Companions! Make your reservations on this special webpage* from February 1 to February 29 to donate 5% of your purchase price to support the mission of Canine Companions. As an added bonus, enjoy a 15% discount on your reservation!

Red Roof, a pioneer in affordable lodging, is continuing its impactful giving campaign this February through its Room In Your Heart purpose program. In collaboration with Canine Companions, Red Roof aims to raise awareness and support to enhance the lives of children, adults and veterans with disabilities by providing them with expertly trained service dogs at no cost.

Red Roof invites its valued guests to book a stay at participating Red Roof Inn®, Red Roof PLUS+®, HomeTowne Studios by Red Roof® or The Red Collection® properties.

Reminder: The promotion kicks off on February 1 and runs through February 29, 2024. Plan your getaway in advance but remember to make your reservations starting February 1 to receive the 15% discount and have 5% of the purchase price from your stay completed by February 29, 2024 donated to Canine Companions.

Be sure to visit the Room In Your Heart page* on February 1 for more promotional details. Let the packing begin and make your February travel meaningful with Red Roof!

*Please be aware that by clicking this link, you are visiting sites that are not managed by Canine Companions. Website security, accessibility and privacy policies may be different than Canine Companions policies. Please read their policies closely.

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December 2023 eNews

Hayley Gordon — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 17:41:12 +0000

THE GREATEST HOLIDAY GIFT

Every step of our dogs’ journeys to become service dogs is laid out with the utmost thoughtfulness. For over 48 years, we’ve been learning from our research, refining training techniques and partnering with volunteers and communities to provide expertly trained service dogs free of charge. Our clients have reported a 99% satisfaction rate with our service dogs – the greatest gift. What we are doing is working, and that’s no small thanks to our generous donors and volunteers.

This holiday season, we need your help to reach more people and transform the lives of children, adults and veterans with disabilities with expertly trained service dogs. Our waitlist is growing, and you can make a difference to satisfy the growing demand.

Limited-Edition Raising Cane’s Plush*

Thanks to our partnership with Raising Cane’s, net proceeds of online sales of their exclusive, limited-edition dog plushies will be donated to Canine Companions! The plushies come in two options, both irresistibly adorable not to purchase both. Get your hands on them before they sell out!

Turn Donations Into Southwest Miles!

Exciting news from our friends at Soutwest Airlines! Until December 14, 2023, through their Points for a Purpose Holiday Promotion, Rapid Rewards® Members earn 10 Rapid Rewards points for every dollar they donate to Canine Companions! Plus, Southwest will also match and donate to us the points members earn – so we can use the points for our travel needs.

A One-of-a-Kind Gift

Want to surprise your loved one with a unique gift? Send them a puppy sponsorship – a limited-time offer that helps a puppy become a hero for a lifetime. Gift a Scarlett and/or Tripp puppy sponsorship(s), and your special-someone will receive an official certificate, a custom magnet with stickers, custom nametag and more!

In The News

More From Canine Companions

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Future Service Dog Catches the Eyes of Many at Temple University

jbentzinger@canine.org — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 21:12:30 +0000

Philadelphia, PA

A cute golden retriever lab mix is well on his way to becoming a highly-trained service dog thanks to one Temple University grad student.

Cyprus is quite the four-legged rock star around Temple University’s campus these days, but he’s more than just a cute pup. He’s a future service dog for Canine Companions and his volunteer puppy raiser is Temple grad student, Maisie Dorwart.

“I picked him up at Philly airport at 8 weeks,” said Dorwart. “We’ve been kicking it ever since. He’s 15 weeks now.”

Maisie is working on her Masters Degree in Speech Pathology and wanted to combine her compassion for people with disabilities and her love of dogs.

Watch the story of Maisie and Cyprus and their adventures on the Temple University campus on Fox 29 News Philadelphia! *

Learn how you can become a volunteer puppy raiser like Maisie!

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Southwest Airlines Announces Points for a Purpose Holiday Promotion

Hayley Gordon — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 00:10:14 +0000

Whether you’re traveling for the holidays or not, this is great news for everyone!

Thanks to our partnership with Southwest Airlines, from December 1 to 14, 2023, through their Points for a Purpose Holiday Promotion, Rapid Rewards® Members earn 10 Rapid Rewards points for every dollar they donate to Canine Companions! Plus, Southwest will also match and donate to us the points members earn – so we can use the points for our travel needs.

Don’t forget to take advantage of this limited-time offer, and start planning and earning points!

Click here to learn more and donate now: canine.org/rapidrewards

For more details, please visit the Southwest Airlines website by clicking here: southwest.com/points-for-purpose*

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First Graduating Class at New Canine Companions Puget Sound Field Office

Hayley Gordon — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 18:57:57 +0000

Canine Companions, the largest nonprofit provider of service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities, completed its inaugural Team Training and Graduation at the Puget Sound Field Office in Seattle, WA. The new office is an extension of the Northwest Region and enables Canine Companions to better support their existing clients and volunteers in the area while placing more of their expertly trained service dogs with people with disabilities in the Puget Sound area, at no cost to the recipient.

In October, the first three local clients were matched with service and facility dogs. Laurie Karin, a former Canine Companions graduate, received her second service dog from the organization. Service Dog Kit will enhance independence by retrieving dropped items, opening and closing doors and drawers, and accompanying Laurie on trips.

Luca, 12, received his first service dog from Canine Companions. Service Dog Atticus will assist during doctor visits, pick up dropped items and provide deep pressure therapy. Joel Fagundes, Principal at Kokanee Elementary School in Woodinville, was matched with a facility dog. Facility Dog Strong will strengthen his impact as an educator through promoting accessible learning, comfortability and confidence for elementary school students.

The field office serves as a training center for dogs and clients alike. Dogs in professional training work with instructors to learn over 40 critical skills to enhance independence. Dogs advance to team training where they are matched with a client for two weeks of in-depth training with instructors. Students can slowly introduce their dogs into their daily lives and acclimate them to their own cars and homes while coming to class each day equipped with real-world questions specific to their lifestyles and personal experience.

Team Training at the Puget Sound Field Office is made possible by volunteer breeder caretakers and puppy raisers who provide specially bred puppies a safe home, take them to obedience classes, serve up a healthy diet, and provide socialization opportunities. Additionally, volunteer fosters open their homes to care for the dogs, provide love and exercise, and transport them to and from the facility for training each day during the week.

Currently, Canine Companions serves 58 service and facility dog teams in the Puget Sound and over 80 teams in Washington. The organization is supported by over 30 volunteer puppy raisers in the Puget Sound and additional volunteers in other roles, including event planning, fostering and fundraising. Canine Companions looks forward to growing the program so more clients in the area can have this impactful experience.
Canine Companions is always looking for more volunteer puppy raisers and fosters for dogs in professional training at the Puget Sound Field Office.

To learn more about puppy raising, visit canine.org/raise.

Click here to inquire about becoming a foster for a dog in professional training.

To learn more about the Puget Sound Field Office, click here to contact Donna Lindsay to schedule a tour or employee engagement event.

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Virginia Governor Donates Salary to Support Placement of Canine Companions Facility Dogs!

jbentzinger@canine.org — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 22:10:00 +0000

Petersburg, Virginia

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin announced their personal support for a major new initiative to bring more Canine Companions facility dogs to Virginia! The Governor donated $43,750 to Canine Companions, building on his commitment to donate his salary to organizations that strengthen Virginia communities. The Governor’s donation will underwrite the cost of two facility dogs through Canine Companions, with the first Canine Companions dog placement in Petersburg. This dog will be partnered with a Petersburg police officer, serving as a canine community bridge builder to support the health and wellbeing of those in and around the criminal justice system.

Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin donated a portion of the Governor’s salary to Canine Companions, an organization that pairs service dogs with people and facilities to support independent and healthy living.

“The benefits of the human/animal bond cannot be overstated,” said First Lady of Virginia Suzanne S. Youngkin. “We couldn’t be more grateful to Canine Companions for its work to help people with disabilities and communities in need, nor more excited about the blessings that these dogs will surely bestow on the Petersburg community.”

“Canine Companions couldn’t be happier to be partnering with the Youngkin’s to support facility dogs in Petersburg,” said Debra Doughtery, Canine Companions Northeast Region Executive Director. “This announcement couldn’t come at a better time as Canine Companions recently announced a new service dog facility donated by the Helen and Murray Main Foundation in Mathews, Virginia, opening in mid-2024.”

The Governor and First Lady traveled to Petersburg to welcome service dogs and their handlers from the Virginia and Northeast Region.

Watch the announcement on Facebook: https://bit.ly/3RpYZSX*

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