Inspiring Story of How One Service Dog Family Deals With Muscular Dystrophy

This is a very tough story to read – at least it was for me – but it will give you an idea of some of the really difficult things that people with service dogs and their families deal with every day.

In this case, it happens to be a Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) graduate team – Heidi Miller, her son Mitch Ball, and their Skilled Companion Dog, Lynelle – who live in Citrus Heights, CA near Sacramento. Mitch is 24, has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) with almost no ability to move his body, and, as such, requires constant care.

CCI Graduate Cole Massie Can Now Add “Surfer” To His List of Achievements

Cole Massie and his tremendous assistance dog Ilia are pretty famous.  They have their own PSA you may have seen on TV and a YouTube video that I’ve often said should be the recruiting video for CCI.  Show that video to a group of potential volunteers, check to see who’s crying when it’s over and keep them, tell the ones who aren’t crying “thanks for coming” and send them on their way. 

Maybe The Most Dedicated Service Dog Ever

There’s a tremendous story in today’s Denver Post about Comet, who might be the most dedicated service dog you’ve ever seen.

Comet is a Canine Companions for Independence skilled companion dog here in Colorado Springs who, if you look closely at the following picture, you will note only has three legs:

You can read the whole story about Comet and his buddy Veren Betzen at the following link.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t mention CCI by name, but anyone who knows what a CCI cape looks like will spot it right away:

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  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.

  
  

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