More Of The Same…And Something New
Well, it’s pretty obvious I haven’t been posting much here.
That’s simply a combination of not seeing a lot to write about, still looking for a way to operate that accomplishes what I want as I’ve already mentioned, and, last, the arrival here a coupla days ago of our latest Canine Companions for Independence puppy, Ophelia.
I’m not gonna turn this into a blog about raising her – there are plenty out there already doing a much better job of describing puppy raising than I ever will. I will say that so far she has been absolutely wonderful and all you could ask for, and I’ve been around enough of them to be able to say that.
As Good As Life Gets
Most people know Jack Hanna as a famous animal guy and Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, but I’m not sure nearly as many know he’s also been a huge long-time supporter of Canine Companions for Independence and has helped raise many thousands of dollars for the organization.
Jack’s on vacation in Florida right now, and he posted this wonderful picture on Facebook this morning.
“A Pup’s Journey to Greatness”
Today I’m gonna give you a chance to see something most people never get to see.
When they’re 8 weeks old, Canine Companions for Independence puppies are brought to the national headquarters campus in Santa Rosa by the breeder caretaker of the mama dog who gave birth to them. They are checked out thoroughly by the veterinary staff, given an identifying tattoo in their right ear, washed, and then sent on their way to puppy raisers across the U.S., who will raise and train them for the next 15-18 months. (You can read more about breeder caretakers and CCI’s very carefully controlled breeding program here.)
Every Service Dog Placement With A Veteran Should Be As Great As This One
I said I was gonna stay positive and show you examples of how things should be rather than ones where I know they are not, and this story is a great start.
When you see someone talking about service dogs for veterans, I want the image of this team to immediately pop into your head, because this is the model, on both ends of the leash. Beyond just being a great story on its face, as you read it, compare what you see here – and, just as importantly, don’t see – with some of the other very visible “service dogs for veterans” stories of late.
Young Kyle Orent Raises $125,000+ For Canine Companions for Independence
Just a quick and easy but great story for you today in case you haven’t seen it elsewhere.
Kyle Orent is an 11-year-old young man in New York who has raised over $125,000 for Canine Companions for Independence. You read that right – $125,000. (I was gonna link to the nice Newsday story about Kyle, but they have now changed it to subscription-only access - not a good move and won’t fly these days, but that’s another discussion. )
Kyle appeared on My Fox NY yesterday with Debbie Dougherty, CCI Northeast Region Executive Director, Lisa Moran, CCI Instructor, and Jillian, a CCI dog currently in professional training at the NER Center on Long Island. Here’s the video:
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:
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.)
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”
Dean Koontz Donates $1 Million to Canine Companions for Independence
I’m sure there will be more to follow on this one, but it’s just been announced that Dean Koontz donated another million dollars to Canine Companions for Independence at their Board of Directors reception last night.
I say “another” million because the last official public number I saw shows that the Koontzes have already donated over $5.5 million to CCI, including a surprise $1 million during the November 2008 graduation at the Southwest Regional Center named for them in Oceanside, CA. The plan was that they were going to donate $100,000, but they decided to surprise everybody (especially the center director, Linda Valliant) and “add a zero”.
Finally, The Real Story About The VA And Service Dogs For Veterans
While I’ve addressed this subject before (“Why The VA Has Provided No Money For Service Dogs – In Their Own Words”), I’ve really held off and pretty much kept my mouth shut, hoping that some of the behind-the-scenes discussions I was aware of with the VA regarding service dogs for veterans would bear fruit, and not wanting to possibly mess those up. Plus, I really think some of the VA people working the issue are good guys and want to help, and I didn’t wanna risk torquing them off.
Resistance Is Futile (No, Not From The Borg – From Yellow Labs Like These)
- L to R – Zephan, Aubrey, Alexander, and Bannon. (Click to enlarge).
I’ve mentioned being at the Canine Companions for Independence graduation at the Southwest Regional Center in Oceanside, CA on Saturday. The primary reason for the trip was actually to pick up three dogs that were just released from advanced training and bring them home to Colorado.
The four dogs who were on the trip with me are pictured above. Left to right: Zephan (our dog who was released last May and made the round trip with me to get the other three), Aubrey (raised by Kelly Gorman), Alexander (raised by Sara Igo), and Bannon (co-raised by Darine Cole and my wife Jo and I). (You can click on the picture for a lot bigger version.)
« 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.
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