OIF Veteran And Canine Companions For Independence Graduate Matt Keil Talks About ‘Homes For Our Troops’
KDVR Channel 31 in Denver just did a great news story a coupla days ago with Canine Companions for Independence graduate Matt Keil and his wife Tracy promoting a wonderful organization, Homes For Our Troops, who built their beautiful house. Matt’s CCI Service Dog Gus, who was raised in the prison program at the Kit Carson Correctional Center in Burlington, Colorado, makes a brief working appearance in the video, too.
So Tell Me Again – What Exactly Is Your Program For Training Service Dogs?
I went looking a couple days ago for a detailed description of the most well-promoted ’service dogs for veterans’ organization’s training program – couldn’t find it, which really surprised me.
Funny thing is, I was actually trying to give them a break, not pick on them. I felt like I might’ve been too tough on their program lately and wanted to find something good that’d change my mind and give me more confidence in them.
Warrior Games – More Thoughts
I’ve been trying to come up with a way to sum up the Warrior Games experience of the last coupla weeks, and I’m really having a hard time – it was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life and truly a first-ever event in more ways than one.
Warrior Games Opening Ceremonies
Having gone to the opening ceremonies today, I can tell you it’s already become apparent on the very first day that the Warrior Games is a unique and very special event, and it’s not gonna be possible for me to even begin to keep up with it here.
So, I’ll just give you a coupla neat things to look at which, given my military background, not surprisingly have a definite Air Force bent.
Air Superiority At The Warrior Games: Air Force’s Jason Morgan And Napal
It’s been my great privilege over the last three days to spend a lot of time around the Air Force team that’s here in Colorado Springs to compete in the first-ever Warrior Games, including Canine Companions for Independence graduate Jason Morgan and his service dog Napal II, who I wrote about a few days ago in this post.
Jason and Napal visiting with Lt Ryan McGuire at the Air Force Academy track.
Canine Companions for Independence Grad In New National MS Society Video
If you watch this tremendous new National Multiple Sclerosis Society video about Canine Companions for Independence grad Buddy Hayes, you’ll see why those of us who know her like her so much – it’s pretty hard not to. (Not to mention her service dog Ellie, who is just wonderful.)
Canine Companions for Independence Graduate Competing in Warrior Games
Here are two brand new videos with quick glimpses of the Canine Companions for Independence graduate team of Air Force wounded veteran Jason Morgan and Service Dog Napal II training here in Colorado Springs for the inaugural Warrior Games next week.
They can be seen zipping around the track at the one minute point of this Today Show video:
And also about 30 seconds into this local news story from KOAA Channels 5 and 30:
Facility Dog Becomes First Non-Human To Receive Volunteer Service Award
You really gotta wade through this article (and there are definitely some inaccuracies in it, too) to find it, but here’s the key point of the story:
Canine Companions for Independence Facility Dog Dart at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, FL just became the first dog to ever receive the Rainbow Award from the Brevard Association of Human Services – it’s always been given to humans before.
Canine Companions for Independence Facility Dog Dart with human partner Karen Hersing, LCSW.
Wounded Warriors And Service Dogs Visit Congress To Discuss Legislation
There’s a new CNN video up today about an AMVETS and Paws With a Cause sponsored Capitol Hill visit of veterans and their service dogs last week that’s getting a lot of attention, and rightfully so.
Definitely watch the video, but the real key here is WHY they were visiting – concerns over both existing/pending legislation and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ response – and you really need to read the two AMVETS blog posts associated with the visit to understand that.
Third Canine Companions Facility Dog Coming To Chattanooga Area Schools
Nice story and audio in this morning’s Chattanooga paper about three Canine Companions for Independence Facility Dogs in the Chattanooga area schools – Reebee II, Zorro II, and a third yet to be chosen that’s been approved and is on the way. Kay Gaither, the teacher getting the third dog, says she hopes to attend the May Team Training at CCI’s Southeast Regional Center in Orlando.
Stone Creek Elementary To Get Walker’s Third Facility Dog
« go back — keep looking »About Me
I'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 MeSubscribe via RSS
