I think most people know that Dean Koontz is one of Canine Companions for Independence’s biggest supporters – if not the biggest. He’s donated millions to CCI (last number I saw was $5.5 million); the Southwest Region campus in Oceanside, CA, is named after him, his wife Gerda, and their now-departed former CCI dog, Trixie; and the Koontzes have made CCI the primary beneficiary of their estate.
- Dean Koontz, at home with his CCI release dog, Anna.
Brand new interview in today’s USA Today that’s definitely worth the read and will give you insights into his thinking and the kind of person he is. I’ve never met him, but what I read in the article tracks with what those I know who have met him have said – a low-key, reserved, no-fanfare kinda guy
“Author Dean Koontz builds a dream home, dream career”
You can read more about him in the Winter 2009 issue of the Southwest Companion at CCI’s site, including the surprise million dollar check he wrote at their Nov 2008 graduation:
CCI Southwest Companion Winter 2009 Issue
Maybe I shouldn’t admit that I don’t read the books – just not my style – BUT I am very, very glad that so many people do, and that he’s been so willing to donate the millions of dollars he has to CCI.
I'm very involved in the assistance dog community, including as a past member of the Veterans Task Force, volunteer, and puppy raiser at Canine Companions for Independence. Retired as a US Air Force Chief Master Sergeant after a 20-year career as an airborne Russian and Vietnamese linguist with my last assignments at the Air Force Academy as Fourth Group Sergeant Major and Dean of Faculty Superintendent. More...
June 8, 2009
Canine Companions For Independence Benefactor Dean Koontz Interviewed
Al Brittain Assistance Dog, Canine Companions for Independence Service Dogs
I think most people know that Dean Koontz is one of Canine Companions for Independence’s biggest supporters – if not the biggest. He’s donated millions to CCI (last number I saw was $5.5 million); the Southwest Region campus in Oceanside, CA, is named after him, his wife Gerda, and their now-departed former CCI dog, Trixie; and the Koontzes have made CCI the primary beneficiary of their estate.
Brand new interview in today’s USA Today that’s definitely worth the read and will give you insights into his thinking and the kind of person he is. I’ve never met him, but what I read in the article tracks with what those I know who have met him have said – a low-key, reserved, no-fanfare kinda guy
“Author Dean Koontz builds a dream home, dream career”
You can read more about him in the Winter 2009 issue of the Southwest Companion at CCI’s site, including the surprise million dollar check he wrote at their Nov 2008 graduation:
CCI Southwest Companion Winter 2009 Issue
Maybe I shouldn’t admit that I don’t read the books – just not my style – BUT I am very, very glad that so many people do, and that he’s been so willing to donate the millions of dollars he has to CCI.