Canine Companions for Independence

Last updated

Canine Companions for Independence is a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that trains and provides assistance dogs. [1] As of 2018, it has placed over 6,000 assistance dogs with recipients at no charge. [2]

Contents

Foundations

Canine Companions for Independence was founded in Santa Rosa, California, in July 1975 by Bonnie Bergin as the first program of its kind. [3] While teaching in Asia, she had seen disabled people using burros and thought that dogs could serve similar roles in the US. [4] Since then, it has grown into a national organization. As of 2024, it has seven training centers and field offices in Washington, California, Texas, Ohio, New York, and Florida. There are also numerous chapter, each of which supports volunteer puppy raisers and fund raising.

The organization pairs people with disabilities with highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support at no cost to the recipient. [1] All expenses pertaining to the breeding, raising, and training of the dogs are financed via private donations from corporations, individuals, and other foundations, as well as fundraising projects. It is estimated that each assistance dog and a lifetime of follow-up support for the dog costs $50,000. The Lions Club Project for Canine Companions for Independence (LPCCI), which was founded in 1983 as a significant provider of financial and volunteer support to Canine Companions, has donated a total of $3 million. [5] In 2015, Canine Companions partnered with Henry Schein Animal Health, a provider of animal health products to veterinarians, which provides puppy raisers with free health care products. [6]

A special program, "The Veterans Initiative", provides trained service dogs for disabled and injured veterans. [7] [8] [9] The program received funding from a partnership between PetSmart and Canine Companions. [10] In December 2014, the organization joined the United States Department of Veterans Affairs in a study to determine whether service dogs improve the quality of life for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. [11]

In 2017, the organization worked with Chrysler brand on a new social online social initiative to raise awareness and support for the work done by Canine Companions. [12] The campaign, "Give a Dog a Job", let people follow along with the training of a particular puppy named Foley, and engage with him and his trainers on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

The dogs

Canine Companions trains different types of working dogs: service dogs (e.g., mobility assistance dogs, service dogs for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder), skilled companions trained to work with an adult or child with a disability under the guidance of a facilitator, hearing dogs for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, and dogs for "facility teams". Facility teams consist of a dog and a human partner, who is usually a rehabilitation specialist, educator, or medical specialist. These dogs carry most of the skills of service dogs as well as specialized skills for however the services of the dog will be incorporated into facility programs and services.

Breeding and raising

Canine Companions uses a breeding program to supply their dogs. [13] They use Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, as well as crosses of the two breeds. [14]

Puppies are raised by volunteers who commit to keeping the dogs for 16 to 18 months, [15] [16] until it is time for them to enter the training program. [17] During these 16 to 18 months, the volunteer puppy raisers are responsible for teaching the puppy its first 30 commands. Several of these commands will be during advanced training. For example, a puppy who has learned up will put its front paws on various objects, including walls and fences. During advanced training, professional trainers may build that command and associated behavior into skills like turning light switches on and off. The puppies often accompany their puppy raisers to everyday places like school or work to prepare them for life as a service dog.

Training

The four- to nine-month professional training begins when the dog is returned by the volunteer puppy raisers to one of Canine Companions' seven training centers across the US. [18] The first three months of training reviews what the dogs have learned. [19] Professional training includes in-depth health and temperament assessments, and each dog learns over 40 commands to increase independence including pulling a manual wheelchair, retrieving dropped items, and opening doors. Dogs may be trained as hearing dogs that alert their deaf handler to sounds in the environment and lead the handler to the source of the sound. In 2018, Canine Companions began a pilot program training service dogs to assist veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder by providing a gentle buffer in crowds, turning on lights and interrupting nightmares and anxiety behaviors.

Individuals invited to be matched with a dog travel to the training center that serves their state for a two-week class that teaches the recipients how to work with their new partners. This includes learning about dog psychology, dog grooming and care, as well as commands that the dogs know. Matching the dogs with the person is done carefully to make sure their activity levels and personalities match. At the conclusion, the individuals go through testing and then participate in a graduation ceremony. [20]

Canine Companions teams return for routine follow-up over the course of the placement. Canine Companions dog users may also periodically return for reunions or extra follow-up training at any time. [21] Their usual term in service is eight to ten years. [22]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Kennel Club</span> American purebreed dog registry

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. In addition to maintaining its pedigree registry, this kennel club also promotes and sanctions events for purebred dogs, including the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, an annual event which predates the official forming of the AKC, the National Dog Show and the AKC National Championship. The AKC is a non-member partner with the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. The AKC recognizes 200 dog breeds, as of 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vizsla</span> Dog breed

The Vizsla, also known as Hungarian Vizsla, Magyar Vizsla or Hungarian Pointer, is a dog breed from Hungary and belongs to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) group 7, the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) group 1, and the American Kennel Club. The Hungarian or Magyar Vizsla or Smooth-Haired Vizsla are sporting dogs and loyal companions. The Vizsla's medium size is one of the breed's most appealing characteristics. As a hunter of fowl and upland game, the Vizsla has held a prominent position among sporting dogs – that of household companion and family dog.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Assistance dog</span> Working dog trained to aid or assist an individual with a disability

An assistance dog, known as a service dog in the United States, is a dog trained to aid or assist an individual with a disability. Many assistance dogs receive training from a handler or from an assistance dog organization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Police dog</span> Dog trained and used for law enforcement

A police dog, also known as a K-9, is a dog that is trained to assist police and other law enforcement officers. Their duties may include searching for drugs and explosives, locating missing people, finding crime scene evidence, protecting officers and other people, and attacking suspects who flee from officers. The breeds most commonly used by law enforcement are the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Bloodhound, Dutch Shepherd, and Labrador Retriever. In recent years, the Belgian Malinois has become the leading choice for police and military work due to their intense drive, focus, agility, and smaller size, though German Shepherds remain the breed most associated with law enforcement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Therapy dog</span> Dog with specific therapy training

A therapy dog is a dog that is trained to provide affection, comfort and support to people, often in settings such as hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, libraries, hospices, or disaster areas. In contrast to assistance dogs, which are trained to assist specific patients with their day-to-day physical needs, therapy dogs are trained to interact with all kinds of people, not just their handlers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Search and rescue dog</span> Dog trained to locate or retrieve a missing or trapped person

Canines, Canis familiaris, perform many essential roles within society, most notably in the fields of assistance, therapy, detection, and protection. Falling within the field of detection, a search-and-rescue (SAR) dog is one trained to respond to crime scenes, accidents, missing persons events, as well as natural or man-made disasters. These dogs detect human scent, which is a distinct odor of skin flakes and water and oil secretions unique to each person and have been known to find people underwater, snow, and collapsed buildings, as well as remains buried underground. SAR dogs are a non-invasive aid in the location of humans, alive or deceased.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association</span> British charitable organisation

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, known colloquially as Guide Dogs, is a British charitable organisation that uses guide dogs to help blind and partially blind people. The organisation also participates in political activism for the rights of those with vision impairments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Seeing Eye</span> Non-profit organization in the USA

The Seeing Eye, Inc. is a guide dog school located in Morris Township, New Jersey, in the United States. Founded in 1929, the Seeing Eye is the oldest guide dog school in the U.S., and one of the largest.

A psychiatric assistance dog or psychiatric service dog is a sub-category of assistance dog trained to assist their handler with a psychiatric disability or a mental disability, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) is a guide dog school located in the United States, with campuses in San Rafael, California, and Boring, Oregon. It was founded in 1942 by Lois Merrihew and Don Donaldson to help veterans who had been blinded in World War II. Guide Dogs for the Blind has about 2100 Guide Dog teams across the United States and Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Endal</span> Acclaimed service dog

Endal was a male Labrador Retriever in Britain whose abilities as a service dog and as an ambassador for service dog charitable work received worldwide news media coverage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guiding Eyes for the Blind</span> School for training guide dogs

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is a non-profit school based in Yorktown Heights, New York that trains guide dogs to aid people who are visually impaired. It also operates a canine development center in Patterson, New York, and a training site in White Plains, New York. It was the first guide dog training school to be accredited by the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped.

Brian Kilcommons is an American author and dog trainer. He is a protégé of Barbara Woodhouse, and the only North American to have studied under Woodhouse in Great Britain. Kilcommons is the author of pet training manuals. He is considered one of the most esteemed dog trainers in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philippine Animal Welfare Society</span> Organization

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is a volunteer-based, non-government organization whose goal is to prevent animal cruelty through education, animal sheltering and advocacy, based in Quezon City, Philippines. It was founded in 1954 by Muriel Jay. PAWS believes that the creation of a more peaceful society starts with the widening of mankind's circle of compassion which includes animals, thereby envisions a nation that respects animals, practices responsible pet ownership and protects wildlife. The volunteer-based organization rehabilitates these animals in the hope of finding them new homes and a second chance at a good life. PAWS does not take in pets of other people, but only victims of cruelty or neglect where the animal offenders are charged with violation of the Animal Welfare Act in court.

Bonita M. Bergin is an American canine researcher. She is the inventor of the concept of the service dog. She is the founder and president of the Bergin University of Canine Studies and the founder of Canine Companions for Independence and Paws for Purple Hearts.

NEADS Inc. is an American 501(c)(3) nonprofit program that provides trained service dogs to people who have physical disabilities or who are deaf or hearing impaired; veterans with PTSD; and children with autism or other developmental disabilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Courthouse facility dog</span>

In the United States, a courthouse facility dog is a professionally trained facility dog that has graduated from an accredited assistance dog organization that is a member of Assistance Dogs International. Such dogs assist crime victims, witnesses and others during the investigation and prosecution of crimes, as well as during other legal proceedings. Courthouse facility dogs also provide assistance to Drug Court and Mental Health Court participants during their recovery from drugs, alcohol, mental illness and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Freedom Service Dogs is a Denver, Colorado–based charitable organization devoted to training dogs as service dogs for people with disabilities that include multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, spinal-cord injury, PTSD, and more. The organization began a small-scale breeding program in 2019 to increase the number of people it could help.

Safe Humane Chicago is a nonprofit animal advocacy organization founded in 2008 by animal rights advocate Cynthia Bathurst. The nonprofit works to educate youth on animal safety and seeks justice for dogs that have been confiscated by law enforcement by placing them in foster care to later be adopted into new homes.

Mary Cortani is a United States Army veteran who's best known for founding her non-profit organization Operation Freedom Paws.

References

  1. 1 2 Derr, M. (2004). Dog's Best Friend: Annals of the Dog-Human Relationship. University of Chicago Press. pp. 309–311. ISBN   9780226142807.
  2. ↑ Dote, Alyx. "Local woman receives free service dog". KVOA. Archived from the original on April 19, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  3. ↑ Bozzo, L. (2010). Service Dog Heroes. Enslow Publishers. ISBN   9780766031999.
  4. ↑ "Dogs and the Disabled: New Role". The New York Times . April 16, 1989. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Nonprofit report on Lions Project for Canine Companions for Independence". Lions Project for Canine Companions for Independence. 2020.
  6. ↑ "Canine Companions for Independence, Henry Schein Animal Health Form Partnership to Support Volunteer Puppy Raisers and Their Veterinarians". The New York Times. 16 April 2015. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  7. ↑ Jackson, Tim W. "Organization Offers Free Service Dogs for Veterans in Wounded Veterans Initiative". Paralyzed Veterans of America. Archived from the original on June 30, 2015. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Service Dog Given to Wounded Vietnamese-American U.S. Army Captain". PR Web (Press release). 21 May 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  9. ↑ Beder, Joan (2012). Advances in Social Work Practice with the Military. Routledge. p. 165. ISBN   9781136789182 – via Google Books.
  10. ↑ "New Partnership Between PetSmart and Canine Companions for Independence Helps Wounded Military Veterans". MarketWatch. February 14, 2014. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Study examines impact of service dogs on veterans with PTSD". Stars and Stripes . January 31, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Canine Companions for Independence - Meet PacifiPuppy Foley". www.cci.org. Archived from the original on April 12, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Breeding". CCI. Archived from the original on 2007-02-21. Retrieved 2007-01-08.
  14. ↑ "Breeding Program". CCI. Archived from the original on 2016-07-03. Retrieved 2016-06-28.
  15. ↑ Davis, Patricia (November 7, 1996). "A pup with a purpose". Washington Post. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Canine Companions for Independence". Indianapolis Monthly . November 2000. pp. 107–108. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Puppy-Raising". CCI. Archived from the original on 2007-01-18. Retrieved 2007-01-08.
  18. ↑ Zauzmer, Julie (March 17, 2014). "Service dog comforts children who have been abused". Washington Post. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  19. ↑ Aron, Wendy (November 26, 2006). "ANIMALS; Canine Companions Help People Deal With Disabilities". The New York Times. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Training". CCI. Archived from the original on 2007-03-07. Retrieved 2007-01-08.
  21. ↑ "About follow-up training". CCI. Archived from the original on 2007-03-08. Retrieved 2007-01-08.
  22. ↑ "Aspirations Beyond Guard Duty". The New York Times . November 13, 2006. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.