Besides my amazing therapists, family, nurses, doctors and neuropsychologist, Laura, there is one other person who has helped me the most during my stay. That other person is Lonnie, the facility dog partnered with Kathi and trained by Canine Companions for Independence. The reason I say Lonnie is a person, is because he helped me heal exponentially in ways a normal person could never be able to.

Growing up I never owned a dog, or a cat. Although I did have a fish, which were fun to look at and take care of, I always wanted an animal I could actually interact with. I am a genetics major and I am naturally fond of animals and all living creatures, even bugs, snakes, and insects. But out of all the dogs I have played with throughout my life Lonnie is the absolute most amazing dog I have ever, and will EVER meet in my life. Not only does Lonnie understand over 40 different commands, but he takes his job of helping others around him very seriously, especially me.

Every morning at 8:45 I was greeted by Lonnie at therapy, and the sight of him smiling, wagging his tail, and running to me to come give me kisses, immediately brightened my day. During my daily exercises he would come sit next to me, lick me, and make me laugh and smile, at a time when I felt that laughing and smiling was an impossible feat. Lonnie warms my heart and soul in ways that only a four-legged companion could.

On two particular days when I was very upset about my situation, wondering why God had chosen me to suffer this hardship; why my whole life had to be changed, my world turned upside-down? I was so upset that I couldn’t possibly crack the slightest smile. But suddenly, Lonnie would hop up next to me, immediately start licking me and my tears would slowly turn to laughter and big smiles. Lonnie would stay and cuddle with me all the while I was sad, just as if he could feel every emotion I was feeling, just as strong as I felt it. I could feel that he shared my pain, joy, and every emotion I experienced. That is why I say Lonnie is just like a person, because he could immediately feel my emotions even stronger than other people could. If Lonnie was a person, he would be an extraordinary, absolutely amazing one, since he has a soul more beautiful, pure, and generous than any person I have ever known, or will EVER know.

Without Lonnie, I would not have reached the level of positivity I have achieved today. I will miss him every day I am home, being the sunshine to illuminate my mornings. I have never gotten close enough to any animal in my life to say I truly love him or her, but Lonnie, I truly love that dog with all my heart. I wish he could be mine, but he has many other smiles to give and hearts to warm.

To learn more about Canine Companions for Independence visit: www.cci.org

Euka and Emma on a play date!

The “E” litter turns 8 months old tomorrow, and they sure are showing their maturity. They have all graduated to the next stage of puppy training which means learning increasingly complex commands, higher expectations, and more public appearances. To put it another way…the “E” Litter is out on the town and making friends. They are the ambassadors for Canine Companions for Independence, and they are making us so proud.

Big boy Elmo taking a break from his travels.

 Elmo and Euka have been taking in some high-society travels. Elmo visited his city’s Art Fest and Euka spent some time at the Cardboard Boat Regatta sponsored by the Cardboard Museum on the Ohio River. These pups are sophisticates, next stop…
The Louvre

Ella enjoying her backyard

 Most days, Everett, Euka, and Ella head to work with their puppy raisers. They are making the rounds among the employees and are very comfortable within the office environment.  Before long, Everett might even learn how to work the copier!

 Many of the pups have taken long road trips – Everett and Emma both traveled to Texas with their puppy raisers! They are great travelers and adapt well to other homes and pets. Emma visited two schools to represent Canine Companions in presentations about our organization. She loved doing the “visit” and “lap” commands.

Emily in the school hallway.

Of course, we can’t forget Emily who has been to little league baseball games, attended conferences and even walked in the local charity 5K. She’s a real go-getter at puppy class and always wanting to please. And Emma loves to go on her walks. She really LOVES her walks. What a great way for her to get out and meet people.

Ethan taking the kibble challenge

Ethan loves working on his commands – a nibble of Eukanuba kibble is a great motivator to practice and perfect everything he has learned in puppy class. He is a real champ! And finally, sweet Eliza is doing so fantastic! She loves to “speak” and is very quick to respond to commands. She was amazing at the Making Miracles Happen breakfast in Denver and her puppy raiser was so pleased.

E Litter pup Eliza

The “E” Litter pups continue their journey to extraordinary.
Thank you for making the journey with them.

If you are interested in becoming a puppy raiser, click here. If you would like to make a donation to Canine Companions for Independence, click here.

To the puppy raiser “moms” who feed, train, pick up after, redirect, encourage, praise and love – we say thank you. Your contribution and sacrifice bring joy and independence to others.

To the breeder caretaker “moms” who make sure doctors appointments are kept, newborn puppies are weighed, fed and cleaned, and ensure that mom and puppies are healthy and thriving – we say thank you. Your dedication to our mission allows us to place more assistance dogs with adults and children with disabilities.

Canine Companions for Independence is so very grateful to our “moms.” We wouldn’t be who we are without you!! Thank you for all you do and happy Mother’s Day!

If you are interested in becoming a breeder caretaker, click here. For information on puppy raising, click here.

To honor them, here is a list of the top 5 things we appreciate about our puppy raisers:

Everett says, “Thanks for the love.”

Emotion – You care for us and the mission of Canine Companions for Independence. Your passion is the first step on the journey to becoming assistance dogs.

Ethan says, “Thanks for the hikes!”

Enjoyment – The belly rubs, brushings, romps in the snow and long walks are highlights to our days. We are happy and grateful pups.

Education – Thank you for teaching us the skills and manners we need. Your commitment to our education and training is invaluable.

Euka says, “Thanks for the fun training!”

Entertainment – We love all the toys, countless throws of the ball and silly games you play. Thanks for making our training fun and amusing.

Eliza says, “Thanks for the walks on the beach.”

Enthusiasm – Thank you for showing your enthusiasm for our accomplishments. You’re our biggest fans, and your encouragement is music to our ears.

We are thankful for all you do!

Your “E” Litter pups,
Emma, Everett, Ella, Elmo, Euka II, Emily, Ethan and Eliza

Elmo says, “Thanks for the food!”

Are you interested in volunteering? Visit: http://bit.ly/UQWEdS for opportunities in your region.

Would you like more information on puppy raising? Visit: http://bit.ly/WXo7tZ for our FAQs.

Would you like to donate to Canine Companions? Visit: http://bit.ly/17tkZPp to change a life.

Emma, Ella, and Emily say, “Thanks for the fun!”

Our volunteers are awesome!!

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month

At Canine Companions for Independence, our volunteers form the backbone of our organization.

Puppy raisers care for future assistance dogs the first year and a half of the pups’ lives. They are responsible for the early training and socialization that help prepare the pups for professional training.

Breeder caretakers are responsible for the male and female breeders in our program. They raise and care for the breeders, assist the females with the birth, and nurture the litters’ first 8 weeks of life.

Other Canine Companions volunteers help with special events, office duties, grounds maintenance, team trainings, graduations and more. We have volunteer chapters throughout the country working towards bringing greater independence to children and adults with disabilities.

Our volunteers make our mission and accomplishments possible.

When asked what keeps them motivated to do all that they do for Canine Companions, some of our volunteers responded with:

“It’s my passion. It’s part of my life and has become a family for me. I feel privileged to work here and I’ve loved all 8,000 hours of it.”
– Maria, office volunteer

“Undoubtedly, the best part [of volunteering] was watching my son hand over Wave’s leash when she graduated.”
– Ron, volunteer puppy raiser

“It is easy to get lost in myself and my troubles but if I give my heart to those in need, it makes my life rich. Canine Companions has allowed me to give my heart.”
– Jill, volunteer photographer

“Seeing the end result and the facial expressions of the people receiving their awesome dogs at graduation.”
– Chuck, grounds and maintenance volunteer

We are so grateful for all the work and effort our volunteers give to our organization; their generosity of time and resources is changing lives!

Would you like to get involved with Canine Companions? For opportunities in your region, visit: http://bit.ly/UQWEdS

Emily with her co-raisers

Did you know that “E” litter pup, Emily, is being raised by two families?? It’s true; she is being “co-raised”. That is to say, she is living with, being trained by, and getting raised at two different homes. This is wonderful for Emily as she will get to experience two different “worlds” for her socialization training.

Emily at her first basketball game.

In one home, the co-raiser has three children for Emily to play soccer with, cheer on at basketball games, and pick up from school. You will find her in meetings, the office, and the grocery store. With her other co-raiser, Emily visits the farm to meet horses, heads to the snow, plays with many canine friends, and takes great adventures representing Canine Companions for Independence. She even got to walk in our fashion show Haute Dog | SF this past February.

Emily on the farm.

Through co-raising, Emily receives her training from two different handlers. Co-raiser Erin says, “I think it’s great that we both handle her. Although our commands are the same, it’s nice that she is used to different handling techniques. Everyone handles dogs differently and I think this will make transitions easier for her when it comes to professional training and ultimately, when she is hopefully placed with someone with a disability.”

Emily at the office with her best friend Marie. (Emily is in front.)

Co-raising is a wonderful option for folks who want to raise a puppy without the commitment of doing it full-time or if they are first-time puppy raisers. Dani, Emily’s other co-raiser, says, “Since Erin has already been a puppy raiser, she has a ton of experience that she can share with me. It’s great co-raising with someone who has been through it before. We share the cost, the training, the responsibility, and the fun!”

Emily, the spring flower!

Emily is such a lucky pup! Erin says, “She has so many people who love her and she is exposed to so many different environments and experiences. She has two families; it’s double the love!!”

Are you interested in puppy raising or co-raising? Visit: http://bit.ly/WXo7tZ for more information.

Emma taking a walk with her puppy raiser.

Emma – Howdy y’all from deep down Texas! That’s right, I am continuing my travels in Texas and really enjoying my time in the 5th wheel. We take nice long walks around the resort. This gives me an opportunity to socialize by meeting people, seeing new and interesting things, and hearing strange and curious noises. This exposure will help me to become a better assistance dog – plus I love it!

Ella & Everett loving the snow!

Everett- Greetings “E” litter fans and supporters! As a five-month-old pup, there are many things I am learning, and I am growing so much! I love spending time at the Eukanuba offices with my two sisters. It’s great to be there and be with so many awesome people. I am working really hard at my puppy kindergarten classes knowing that I will be spending more time in public places.

Ella with Euka and Everett at the Eukanuba office.

Ella  – Hello and how are you? So nice to see you! Glad you stopped by. Can you tell I am on the welcoming committee at the Eukanuba offices? I like to  greet everyone with a friendly tail wag so they know I am ever so happy to see them. When I am not at the office, I love taking naps, getting belly rubs, going on long walks and practicing the commands I am learning at puppy class.

Sweet Elmo.

Elmo – Hey everyone! Life is good, and just the way I like….mellow.  When I am out in public, many folks comment on how attentive I am. That’s real nice to hear and people are mighty kind. I enjoy working on my training and look forward to learning new commands. My best friend is Kristoff, a Canine Companions “change of career” dog and I am so lucky to have him as a pal and snuggle buddy.

Euka on Valentine’s Day.

Euka II – Hello friends! I am a fortunate pup as I get to spend three days a week at the P&G Pet Care offices. My favorite part of the day is when I get to run at the company dog park and play with the other employees’ dogs. What a hoot! If you don’t find me at the dog park, check the office and you might find me laying in the afternoon sun that streams through the windows – I really love that!

Emily Brown (literally!)

Emily – Nice of you to stop by! Everyone is always stopping by to say hi to me. I sit very nicely and wait for a pat on the head or little puppy biscuit.  I love playing at the dog park at work and I really love to romp in the water and mud! It’s a great treat to get to be with my doggie friends and get a little messy. I also love the bath and blow dry that comes afterwards. In fact, any attention you send my way is greatly appreciated!

Ethan and his favorite squeaky toy.

Ethan – Hey, hey, hey! Things are really good here in my neck of the woods. I get to practice my commands every day as I sit in on meetings with my puppy raiser, hang out at the puppy park with all the other dogs, and of course have morning playtime with my sister Emily. I am a good pup with lots of people sharing their love and attention so I can be the very best assistance dog to someone with a disability!

Eliza and her dear friend Juliet.

Eliza – Hello there! You wouldn’t believe all the great training I am learning and practicing. I especially enjoy the “shake” command and sometimes get so excited to do it, that I will ignore what was actually asked of me…oops! Let’s just say, I am eager to meet people and think a proper shake is the way to do so. Woof!

As you can see, we are all making great progress towards our goal of becoming assistance dogs. The socialization, puppy classes, outings, etc. all play a huge part in making this a reality.  As always, thank you for taking the time to read our updates! We appreciate your interest and support.

Wishing you the very best day,
Emma, Everett, Ella, Elmo, Euka II, Emily, Ethan & Eliza

]]> http://blog.cci.org/2013/02/20/the-e-litter-shares-its-love/feed/ 10 ccicanine Emma Ella & Everett Bench ohio 3 elmo2 Euka emily Ethan eliza http://blog.cci.org/2013/02/08/love-is-in-the-air/ http://blog.cci.org/2013/02/08/love-is-in-the-air/#comments Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:00:40 +0000 Canine Companions for Independence http://blog.cci.org/?p=727 Continue reading →]]> It’s nearly Valentine’s Day and at Canine Companions love is abounding! From puppy raisers preparing to turn in the pups they’ve raised – to dogs gently placing their heads on our laps just when we need it most….love is certainly in the air. You can share the puppy love by giving your Valentine the gift of puppy love when you make a donation and send an ecard.

“It’s like we’ve been given a box of love, and it was free.”

This powerful statement came from a graduate as he spoke through tears and graduated with his assistance dog provided free of charge from Canine Companions.

While all of our assistance dogs are provided free of charge to our graduates, they certainly aren’t free.

We rely completely on donor support to provide all of our assistance dogs and follow-up services free of charge.

You can help by making a donation and spread some puppy love by sending an ecard to your Valentine.

Your Valentine will receive their own box of love from you in their inbox. Each ecard features:

· One of 15 amazing photos specially chosen by you

· Your custom message

· A virtual puppy kiss from knowing they’re a part of the love, loyalty, and independence that comes with Canine Companions assistance dogs.

Thanks for spreading the puppy love,
and Happy Valentine’s Day!

The Ohio Four – Ella, Emma, Everett and Euka II (left to right) – photo by Donna Sword

Happy 2013 to all our friends and supporters! We “E” Litter pups sure do appreciate all the love and interest so many folks have shown us over the last 17+ weeks.  Yes, you read that right, we are now over 17 weeks old and we are getting so B-I-G!! Most of us have outgrown our baby capes and have graduated to our formal capes. We wear them so proudly and are always happy when people ask if they can give us a pat or a rub on the head.

We thought you might enjoy hearing from a few of us about what we’ve been experiencing over the last few weeks…so read on and catch up with some of the “E” Litter.

Emma – Woof, woof, and ya-hoo!! The holidays were a busy and exciting time for me. I had a marvelous time traveling with my puppy raisers to Killeen, TX for a visit with family and to celebrate Christmas. It was my first time riding in the truck for such a long trip and I even got to stay in a 5th wheel. I continue to work very hard at my puppy training classes and am learning new skills every week.

Emma sitting so nicely in the family’s 5th wheel.

Ella – Oh Canada!! Hi folks, I’m the first “E” pup to travel internationally. I traveled to Canada with my puppy raisers. We visited all sorts of amazing places. I did really well and was able to practice all the skills I’ve been learning at puppy training.

Ella on her trip to Canada.

Elmo – Hiya! Things are going really well for me! Earlier this month, I got a chance to attend the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Boy, oh boy, there were a lot of dogs there. I even got to meet Stella from Modern Family and Yakult from Suburgatory (or should I say, they got to meet me). It was a fantastic opportunity for me to socialize with other dogs and practice all the commands I’ve been working on. I was a true champion myself.

Elmo getting to sit with other famous pups.

Euka II – Hi, I’m having the greatest time with my puppy raisers and other canine friends! We play in the snow, take road trips to the Canine Companions regional center for training, and enjoy getting to meet people while we are socializing out in the community. I am learning so much and really making progress toward mastering the first set of commands that are part of my training. The best part is I get to do this with my brother and sisters.  Of course you know Emma, Everett, and Ella. These are my best pals, and together we make up the Ohio Four.

Euka II is a snowy pup! – photo by Donna Sword

Emily – Greetings friends! I just want to say that I am one of the luckiest puppies as I have two “mamas” taking care of me. They co-raise me and I get to trade off weeks living with them. Fortunately, they both work at the Canine Companions Santa Rosa office so I get to see both of them every day. I also get to see my little brother Ethan all the time as well (he is being raised by a Canine Companions staff member as well). I call him “little,” but he is actually much larger than me. He’s my BDOC (Big Dog on Campus), and we love to romp and wrestle every chance we get.

Emily’s first trip to the market.

Ethan – Hey, what’s up?? Got a biscuit? Want to play? I like you!! Yes, as my OLDER sister mentioned, I am the big guy on the Canine Companions campus and every knows me. My puppy raiser takes such great care of me and her sons ensure that I get lots of love and cuddles. I have been working really hard with my puppy training and am taking to the gentle leader like a real champ.

Ethan ready to ring in the new year!

Eliza – Hello and happy new year! I am so happy to be sharing my fun news with you. I am doing all the things my brothers and sisters are doing and growing quite a bit myself. I was fortunate to get the opportunity to visit the Craig Hospital in Englewood, CO with my puppy raiser. This hospital works with people who have spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries. I was dressed up as Mrs. Claus and spent time visiting patients. They were able to pet and love on me. And you know what? I loved it too!

Eliza dressed as Mrs. Claus

So there you have it – the “E” Litter update.  All this fun we are having traveling and playing and meeting new people is all part of our training. Our dream is to become Canine Companions for Independence assistance dogs. Thanks for checking in on us, we are doing great!

Warm regards and puppy-dog kisses,
Emma, Everett, Ella, Elmo, Euka II, Emily, Ethan and Eliza

Tebow as a young pup

Tim Tebow is a quarterback. Canine Companions for Independence puppy Tebow is a wide receiver. He’s a natural – he runs a pattern downfield, turns back, and looks up, waiting for the ball to sail overhead. People know he doesn’t know exactly what the words mean, but it’s great fun to say, “Go long, Tebow!!” and watch him take off, turn, and wait for the ball. He’s taking off as a Canine Companions puppy, too.

Tebow’s “game face”

A high-energy puppy, Tebow is wide open almost every waking moment, embracing life with unflagging enthusiasm and joy. Because of this, every new command he learns is exciting to him and he is eager to practice each one. As he continues to acquire his Canine Companions puppy manners he visits increasingly challenging public places and learns to behave appropriately. When meeting him, small children do not recognize the name “Tebow,” but they respond to the friendly attitude of this very special puppy. Once, leaving a community park, a child said, “Dad, Tebow is my very best friend.”

When he leaves his puppy raiser and begins professional training, Tebow will expand the number of useful commands he knows, preparing to become a “very best friend” as an assistance dog for an exceptional person!

Tebow is a football fan of course!

Tim Tebow is known for his passion, his dedication, and his extraordinary work ethic. With his energy, enthusiasm, and eagerness to learn, Canine Companions puppy Tebow should become known in the future for his ability to be an accomplished assistance dog for just the right person!

Are you interested in becoming a puppy raiser or learning more about Canine Companions for Independence, visit our website at www.cci.org.