Canine Companions for Independence has a new logo (temporary, I think) celebrating their 35th birthday this year.
Reaction among the CCI faithful has been mixed – the complaints are mostly about the size of the CCI logo in relation to the 35. Fair enough, but I still like it, and here’s why.
I am constantly talking about Canine Companions with people all across the spectrum, from just “the person on the street” all the way through those with a lot more specialized knowledge of and interest in dogs and/or veterans (e.g., military veterinarians). Across the board, the reality is that most don’t know about service dogs in general, much less Canine Companions for Independence in particular. At best, they may know about guide dogs – dogs who assist the blind and visually impaired – and maybe some of the top organizations in that world – Guide Dogs for the Blind, The Seeing Eye, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, etc.
That’s in spite of the fact that CCI is, as best I know, the oldest and largest assistance dog organization in the US, if not the world. Been around 35 years, graduated over 3200+ assistance dog teams (including a record 240 in 2009), 1500+ active graduate teams – you get the picture.
Maybe it’s because I’m so focused on this area, but that lack of knowledge used to surprise me; I’ve experienced it so often now, it doesn’t surprise me anymore. I’ve just reconciled myself to the fact that it will always be a continuing battle to educate everybody about service dogs and CCI.
Because of that, I’m always looking for anything that helps that process, I think this logo does that, and that’s why I like it.
I'm very active with Canine Companions for Independence as a volunteer, to include being a past 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.