For Future Canine Companions Teams

On Monday, May 4, 2015, everything changed for the better. That was the first day of Team Training at the Canine Companions for Independence Southeast Regional Center. I spent two weeks learning to be a competent handler so that my dog and I would become an excellent Service Dog Team. It was beautiful, emotional, challenging, and wonderful beyond measure. I met classmates whose friendships I will treasure forever. 

CCI is the oldest assistance dog organization, placing 4 types of dogs free of charge.  Learn more about the 4 types of dogs and how veterans  can achieve life-changing independence as part of an assistance dog team.

 Without the generosity of CCI, its volunteer puppy raisers, and many, many donors, partnerships would be out of reach for almost everyone who applies. The cost of training a puppy to be an assistance dog from 7 and 1/2 weeks of age through placement about 2 years later is $50,000. But recipients just have to worry about improving their handling skills and bonding with their new dogs. And that's incredible.


Be a part of exceptional dogs for exceptional people, like Patterson and me, and thousands of other teams united since Canine Companions for Independence began in 1975! Donate if you can, and share on Facebook and Twitter, too. Thank you so much, from me, and from the recipients already matched and the matches yet to be made.