Al Brittain

Canine Companions for Independence Assistance Dogs On-Duty For Veterans

Great picture of two Canine Companions for Independence assistance dogs and their humans taken during the recent US Paralympics Military Sports Camp that was held at Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) Oct 14-17:

Buddy Hayes, Canine Companions for Independence service dog Ellie, Kristin Valent, CCI facility dog Tommy.


Left to right – Buddy Hayes, her Service Dog Ellie, Kristin Valent, physical therapist at NMCSD Comprehensive Combat and Complex Casualty Care (C5), and Facility Dog Tommy who is assigned with her there. (Click the image for a larger version.)


OK, So All Cats Aren’t Worthless – Even Military Working Dogs Like This One

Max, a 21-pound (!) tabby at the Luke Air Force Base clinic in Phoenix, is so cool even the military working dogs like him.

Max, a 21-pound gray tabby cat, and Kisma, 56th Security Forces military working dog, greet each other at the Luke Air Force Base Veterinary Clinic in Glendale, Ariz.
Max, a 21-pound gray tabby cat, and Kisma, 56th Security Forces military working dog, greet each other at the Luke Air Force Base Veterinary Clinic in Glendale, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo – click for larger).

‘Clinic cat on orders to Luke’

Wounded Warrior Receives Canine Companions Service Dog Raised in Prison Program

That’s what the headline and angle for this story could’ve actually been (or something like it) if someone wanted to write it that way.

The story I’m referring to is this article from The Oregonian a few days ago about Canine Companions for Independence puppies being raised at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility for women in Wilsonville, OR:

“Future service dogs get their training by women inmates at Coffee Creek lockup”

Military Working Dog Makes Historic Tandem Parachute Jump

I saw a brief newspaper article about this jump a few weeks ago with a small picture and figured it was just a matter of time before we’d see the usual hi-res official Army photos.  Well, sure enough, they’re out (click on them for the giant versions):

U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Chris Lalonde, center, holds his military working dog, Sgt. Maj. Fosco, and jumpmaster Kirby Rodriguez behind them, as they free fall through the air making history with the military’s first tandem airborne jump from an altitude of 12,500 feet on Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Sept. 18, 2009. Lalonde is assigned to Company D, 701st Military Police Battalion, and Rodriguez is assigned to the 342nd Training Squadron. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Vince Vander Maarel

U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Chris Lalonde, center, holds his military working dog, Sgt. Maj. Fosco, and jumpmaster Kirby Rodriguez behind them, as they free fall through the air making history with the military’s first tandem airborne jump from an altitude of 12,500 feet on Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Sept. 18, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Vince Vander Maarel

  • About Me

    p1000219-facebook-editI'm very active with Canine Companions for Independence as a former member of the Veterans Task Force and puppy raiser. Retired US Air Force Chief Master Sergeant with my last assignments at the Air Force Academy as the Fourth Group Sergeant Major and Dean of Faculty Superintendent.


    I'm actively looking for a paid position doing what I already do full-time as a volunteer.


    Read More About Me

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    This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Canine Companions for Independence or any other assistance dog organization, and the views and opinions stated here are strictly my own.