Canine Companions for Independence is a program that trains dogs to enhance the lives of seniors and the disabled by promoting independence. Canine Companions is nation wide and has a facility in five different areas in the United States. The North Central Regional Center is located in Delaware, Ohio! Right in our own back yard!! They train four different types of Assistance Dogs. 1. Service dogs- partnered with adults with disabilities to perform certain tasks to help promote independence 2. Skilled Companion-trained to perform tasks for an adult or child with a disability under the guidance of a facilitator, 3. Hearing Dogs-trained to recognize and respond to environmental sounds by alerting their deaf or hard of hearing partner, 4. Facility Dog-dogs partnered with a facilitator who directly serves clients with special needs.
These dogs go through extensive training for around 2 years and then are partnered with a person in need. The person then has go through two weeks of extensive training with their dog and then is theirs to keep. I attended the graduation today at the Dublin Recreation Center. The graduation celebrates everyone who has helped make the graduation possible from the breeders, caretakers, puppy raisers and volunteers and donors.
If you would like more information about applying for a Canine Companion, would like to donate to this wonderful and worthy program, or want to volunteer your time visit www.cci.org for more information.
No comments:
Post a Comment