Canine Companions puppy Waldo is working hard to become an assistance dog for someone with a disability. Waldo is being raised in Texas where his puppy raiser is providing basic training and lots of love to prepare him for his special future.
Puppy Waldo’s favorite activities are climbing into the puppy pool, visiting the duck pond and meeting new people. Once he’s old enough, Waldo will get to visit all kinds of new places to work on his socialization and spread the word about Canine Companions for Independence.
Professional Training The time eventually comes for each Canine Companions® puppy and their volunteer puppy raiser to part ways as the puppy continues their journey to become an assistance dog and begin professional training. Waldo has spent the last 18 months with his puppy raiser building the foundation of skills and socialization he needs to […]
For the next two weeks, Waldo will be spending some time away at camp. Not just any camp, though. This is a special “puppy camp” set up by the volunteer puppy raising program at a nearby prison, the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Carswell, in Fort Worth, Texas. FMC is currently raising five Canine Companions® puppies […]
Waldo has a lot of friends in his life, from the staff at the Kinkeade Campus where he’s being raised, to his dog pals that he plays with every day. But there’s one friendship that’s extra special – his best friend Cooper. Cooper is a cat! What makes this friendship special? Cooper is a 10-year-old […]
Representing Canine Companions Canine Companions for Independence puppy raisers and graduates are strong ambassadors for the organization, representing us everywhere they go with their dogs in their yellow or blue vests. Waldo and his puppy raiser, Lisa, have taken that role to heart and spend almost every weekend out and about in the community to […]
The weather is warming up in Texas, and Canine Companions® puppy Waldo is making the most of it! On a sunshine-filled day, he and his puppy raiser made a trip to their local farmer’s market. They made their way through the crowds and practiced avoiding distractions, a skill that is very important for a future […]
Canine Companions puppies must be exposed to different environments to prepare them for their futures as assistance dogs. This means new people, sights, smells and sounds. What better place for new experiences than a fire station? Waldo and a group of his fellow Texas puppies visited a local fire station where they were exposed to […]
Can you believe Canine Companions® puppy Waldo is already one year old? He celebrated his first birthday on February 5 with his puppy raiser, plenty of furry friends and lots of love. Waldo’s first year has been full of fun adventures, new experiences and a ton of learning. Waldo now knows nearly all the commands […]
Canine Companions® puppy Waldo has a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! He just turned 9-months-old and is growing and learning every day. Plus, he has an extra special friend (and mentor) around for the holidays – Canine Companions Facility Dog Sawyer. Sawyer was the first puppy raised by Waldo’s volunteer puppy raiser. Sawyer’s […]
Where’s Waldo? He’s out and about! While learning new commands is vital for a Canine Companions® puppy’s journey, socialization is equally, if not more, important. Now that Waldo is older, he’s started adventuring with his puppy raiser to get used to all the world has to offer. From the grocery store to fun community events […]
