Enjoy a selection of stories of Canine Companions teams and volunteers:

Kerri had been sitting in a rarely-used, musty, back-office elevator. Sitting and waiting patiently as 20 minutes passed, thinking about the appointment she was soon to miss.

The elevator wasn't stuck and Kerri wasn't anxious. She just couldn't reach the elevator buttons from her wheel chair on her own. So, she sat there reflecting, waiting for the inevitably helpful stranger to arrive and assist with a simple task that was usually performed by her assistance dog, Abdul.

And then it struck her...what used to be a world filled with pitfalls, obstacles and constantly missed appointments had been transformed by Abdul - who was the first assistance dog provided by Canine Companions for Independence - by Kerri's side practically every moment for the past ten years. Except for this day when Abdul had his own appointment with his veterinarian.

"With Abdul by my side, obstacles were the farthest things from my mind. Because of Abdul, my self-perception shifted from being helpless to being capable, independent, and self-reliant. That day in the elevator, I realized that I'm the person I am because of my dog," Kerri says.

Today, nearly 35 years after receiving Abdul, Kerri's independence has bloomed. She's traveled extensively to study horses and runs her own adaptive riding institute. Additionally, she enjoys back packing and white water rafting. Kerri now has her third Canine Companions assistance dog, Nancy. But, she'll always remember Abdul, and how their partnership changed her life.

Canine Companions Service Dog Caspin helps Wallis live independently.

"He can retrieve my phone and other dropped items, pull my wheelchair and open doors for me," she continues.

Wallis has a condition known as dystonia, a disease that causes her muscles to spasm spontaneously. She was at the pharmacy when a "dystonic attack" came on and she could not move. Caspin helped her pay the cashier, get the bag from the cashier and gracefully exit the store.

Wallis wanted to learn more about a career in the assistance dog world, and is currently participating in an internship at Canine Companions headquarters in Santa Rosa, CA.

Savannah is eleven years old, plays basketball, excels in her schoolwork, is a cheerleader, studies music and dance, is a pageant winner and enjoys hiking. All from a wheelchair. Bravely facing health and social challenges that most of us can't imagine.

She could do all her homework every night, but she couldn't pick up her dropped pencil. She could speak openly on stage in front of hundreds of people and a panel of judges about her most personal health challenges, but she couldn't turn on a light switch.

Then came Zambique. Zambique picks up her dropped pencils and carries her backpack. All with a wagging tail. But that's just what Zambique was trained to do. There's more that people don't see.

Every night Savannah undergoes an hour-long medical procedure. Zambique lies next to her, foccusing on Savannah, not the procedure. Every night eleven-year-old Savannah goes through this procedure bravely and independently. But not alone. She has Zambique.

Robin knew an assistance dog would help her son Braden, challenged with autism. She contacted several organizations who expected her to do a great deal of fundraising before receiving a dog.

"I had basically given up hope, then I learned that Canine Companions for Independence was training dogs for autistic children," says Robin.

In May 2007 Robin and Braden graduated from Team Training with Skilled Companion Camille, free of charge and free of fundraising. Since then, Camille has changed Braden's life.

"Braden is much more social, calmer in public, and is developing empathy," Robin continues. "Camille gives Braden acceptance and love, without expecting him to be like everyone else." 

For breakfast, CCI Service Dog Benjamin opens a special drawer in the kitchen and retrieves a basket filled with a coffee cup, equal and other breakfast supplies for Bob. After breakfast he helps Bob clean up and returns the basket to its assigned drawer.

In addition, Benjamin helps by retrieving items from the refrigerator and from drawers, opening and closing doors, turning on and off light switches and carrying laundry. Diane is working on training him to help fold large sheets by holding a corner, but Bob says Benjamin helps the most by picking up items he drops and moving items from the path of his wheelchair.

Benjamin has touched even more lives than the Cline's. Bob and Benjamin are often seen around their town providing assistance dog presentations and demonstrations for community and civic organizations, and Benjamin often accompanies Diane and assists in offering behavioral therapy at an Illinois State Hospital.



James III is eighteen years old and looks like your "typical" teenager. But James is challenged with autism. With the support of his family, James faces these challenges everyday. In 2006, James received a four-legged support system, a CCI assistance dog Tiffany.

"James, who was essentially non-verbal, now issues some verbal commands to Tiffany," his father, James Jr. explains. "Additionally, because Tiffany is with James in social situations, the typical autistic behaviors of spinning, hand flapping and rocking are almost eliminated."

"For Sheila and I, a life full of ability and independence has gotten four steps or four paws closer because of CCI for our son, James," summarizes James Jr.

James Jr. is extremely grateful for Tiffany and the CCI community who made it possible for her to be an assistance dog. He understands fully his responsibility to maintain Tiffany's training and regularly brings her to work on Capitol Hill with him.

One day when James Jr. and Tiffany were walking near the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, a Congressman approached them and began inquiring about Tiffany. After James Jr. explained Tiffany's training and how she assists his son, the Congressman asked if she did any tricks. James gave her the "speak" command, and Tiffany's bark echoed through the halls of Congress. The Congressman said, "That's the most intelligent speech I've heard in Congress this week!"

Anecdotes aside, James Jr. knows that CCI assistance dogs and the CCI community are a true blessing. "CCI gives not only exceptional dogs for exceptional people, not only independence, but true, honest, loyal and wonderful friends who are willing to be uncompromising and unwavering disciples of the disabled."

"Morrow has been more of a physical and emotional support to the athletes than anyone anticipated. Physically, Morrow picks up out of reach items, carries athlete bags and gear, and even assists with docking the boats by bringing fenders to the sailors. Emotionally, Morrow has been a training constant for the athletes who often travel away from home and their support systems to attend camps and competition," shares Coach Betsy Alison.

After observing the sailors with their pets, Alison thought that a "team dog" could act as a stress reducer and psychological motivator for athletes. Alison consulted with several sports psychologists who agreed with her concept.

In May 2007 she added a new member to the sailing team -- an exceptional Facility Dog when she graduated from Canine Companions for Independence with Morrow II.

Thanks to his training at Canine Companions Morrow can assist the sailors with tasks like picking up dropped tools and carrying life jackets and dry bags. He is currently learning to help pull wheelchairs up the dock. Additionally, Morrow is a constant professional. He is not distracted by common sounds aboard the coach boat like air horns and whistles or by waves and other boats.

The team includes eighteen disabled athletes -- many with spinal cord injuries of varying severity, about half in wheelchairs. The sailors range in age from 22 to 72 and come from all backgrounds. Alison noticed that when a sailor makes errors or performs poorly on the water, they often internalized the stress and their mental state suffers. "Morrow provides stress reduction. You can't help but smile at his unconditional love and regain a positive outlook," says Alison.

Betsy, a five-time US SAILING Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year and two-time Ynglling World Champion, has been working with athletes of the US Disabled Sailing Team for several years, accompanying the U.S. Paralympic Sailing Team to the 2000 and 2004 Paralympic Games. She has been a staff coach of the US Disabled Sailing Team since March 2006.

Facility Dog Morrow will not be traveling to China for the Paralympics with the team, but he has been key to their preparation.

"I'll bring some pictures of Morrow along with his well wishes for the team, that will undoubtedly put smiles on our athletes' faces," explains Coach Alison. 

Prior to Melly, Cory's classmates would frequently focus all of their attention on Cory's wheelchair and tracheotomy tube. But now, the attention has shifted away from his disability and towards his partnership with Melly.

"Now kids don't look at the trach tube, but instead notice Cory and Melly as a pair. They wish that they had a dog like Melly for themselves, " says Maurice.

Cory's favorite part of having a Skilled Companion? The kisses, constant love and attention. While Cory has no feeling from the neck down, and generally hates getting his face wet, he makes an exception for Melly. Cory's dad marvels, "The joy in Cory's face when Melly lavishes him with kisses is delightful to watch."

“This moment is more than I could ever ask for,” shares volunteer puppy raiser Peggy. As a volunteer puppy raiser, Peggy lives for one moment. To see the puppy she raised with a graduate. Peggy experienced this life changing moment for the first time in 1994, when the puppy she raised, Tally, graduated as an assistance dog to help a teenage boy with cerebral palsy.

“Walking in the door, and seeing Tally with his new partner Eddie for the first time was so beautiful. I had to close the door and go cry my eyes out before I could go back in,” Peggy explains.

Since that moment in 1994, Peggy has gone on to raise a total of fourteen puppies and is currently raising puppy number fifteen. Peggy knows that each puppy she raises will impact lives, starting with her own.

“Raising puppies is the greatest thing I’ve ever done — and the incredible thing is that I am blessed beyond measure. It’s an odd thing how it works backwards like that. I’ve grown as a person into realizing that giving back even just a little bit is the highlight of my life,” explains Peggy.

Muffy Davis began ski-racing at age three. She soon realized she had special talents and wanted some day to ski race in the Olympics. Then, at age 16, Muffy's life changed. While skiing she veered off-course and slammed into two trees at 55 mph, crushing her back and almost killing her. In the ensuing months she faced and overcame numerous physical and psychological challenges.

But that little voice inside kept repeating her goals and before long Muffy was involved in disabled ski-racing winning many awards, including four gold medals.

In August 2006, Muffy graduated from CCI with Service Dog Leibe, a two-year-old black Labrador. Muffy feels she has more adventures and explores more because of Leibe. For instance, she used to be unable to enjoy the feeling of picnicking on the warm but slightly damp grass in the park. Because without Leibe she couldn't get back into her wheelchair on her own. Now Leibe braces her and Muffy can get in and out her wheelchair as she pleases.

But life is not all about work for Muffy and Leibe. Muffy says, "He loves it and plays just like a little kid!"

Child Life Specialist Jennifer Johnson and Facility Dog Millie II are one of three CCI Facility Dog graduate teams working in the Children’s Center at Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento, CA. Together Jennifer and Millie help children with cancer, like Jaiden, pictured in the photo to the left, cope with life in the hospital. which can be a scary and overwhelming experience for children and their families.

“Millie has a huge impact on all of the people around her. She gives them a sense of well-being, a connection to their home life, a bridge to trusting hospital staff and motivation to get out of bed,” shares Jennifer.

Jennifer is proud to be a CCI graduate and work with a CCI Facility Dog. She says, “CCI gives people the medium to have freedom and acceptance in their lives, which everyone deserves.”

"Awesome," is the word Paul Ogden uses to describe Hearing Dog Bree III and CCI. After training his own hearing dog and then receiving Bree from CCI, Paul believes, "There is no comparison with a CCI dog."

He shares that Bree responds to every little request, knows all the routines and is a great assistance, providing not only independence but also security.

In his busy professional life, Paul travels frequently and stays in hotels. Before receiving Bree, he did not sleep well in hotels, always worried about how he would hear an emergency alarm. With Bree, Paul sleeps soundly, feeling confident that she will alert him to any alarm.

This isn't the only way that Bree enhances Paul's traveling experiences. Paul says, "When I travel with Bree, people forget that I'm deaf and feel more comfortable with me. Bree helps make people feel that I am normal, like everyone else."

Visit our videos page for more inspirational graduate stories!