Read these firsthand accounts of the unconditional love, service and companionship CCI assistance dogs provide to US veterans:
Andrew Pike, Iraq War Veteran, and Service Dog Yazmin
Andrew was an Army Specialist with the 82nd Airborne when he was injured in Iraq. Read more.
Nico Marcolongo, Iraq War Veteran, and Facility Dog Tali
Nico served the United States Marine Corps for 14 years. After he returned from his second Iraq deployment in 2007, Nico was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The experience prompted him to dedicate his life to serving injured troops. Now, Nico runs a program through the Challenged Athletes Foundation called Operation Rebound, which provides post-rehabilitation support to American service members who have suffered permanent physical injuries in recent conflicts.
Nico's wife, Lisa, has also dedicated her life to serving others. She works at a hospice and skilled nursing facilities where many of her clients are military veterans. Together, Lisa and Nico decided to apply for a CCI Facility Dog to offer comfort to their clients.
Nico and Lisa Marcolongo with
CCI Facility Dog Tali
Now, a sweet, black Labrador/Golden Retriever cross named Tali regularly brings smiles to injured troops in San Diego County. She brings a sense of calm to members of a PTSD support group in the evenings and provides a welcome distraction to hospice patients during the day. On weekends, she takes part in athletic events with injured military athletes. She is also a CCI ambassador, providing an example to injured troops of how a CCI assistance dog can make life a little easier.
"My goal is to hopefully help the healing process for veterans coming home," Nico explained. "I don't want anyone else to suffer."
Jeffrey Adams, Iraq War Veteran, and Service Dog Sharif
In November 2004, Jeffrey was on patrol in Baghdad when a roadside bomb was detonated just 10 feet from him. As a result, 97% of his left leg had to be amputated.
Since then Jeffrey has recovered from his injury and walks with a prosthetic titanium leg. "I didn’t think I needed an assistance dog," said Jeffrey. "Then I saw them in action, helping other people with disabilities. I thought it was pretty amazing. I still didn’t think I needed one though. But my wife says I’m stubborn and told me to follow up. So, I asked around and applied to Canine Companions for Independence."
"Having a CCI assistance dog has really changed my life,” shared First Lieutenant Jeffrey Adams as he graduated from CCI Team Training with his new service dog Sharif.
“When I first heard about CCI, I thought I don’t need a canine companion. Now I know how wonderful it will be and there are new possibilities for me that I didn’t expect,” shares Jeffrey.
Jay Huston, Army Veteran and Service Dog Timo
Jay has undergone 10 surgeries for spinal injuries after he hit the ground hard from a parachute malfunction eight years ago at Fort Benning, Ga. Jay retired from the Army in 2004 after 20 years of service, but he didn’t stop serving his country. He now works as a Senior CBRNE Analyst at the U.S. Northern Command in Colorado Springs. (CBRNE stands for Chemical,Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High-Yield Explosives.) Jay helps prevent terrorists from using Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) in the U.S.
Read how CCI Service Dog Timo helps Jay live more independently.
Buddy Hayes, Army Veteran, and Service Dog Ellie
"Ellie is a godsend. She's right here by my side ready to help whenever I need it."
Buddy Hayes was a heavy equipment operator in the United States Army from 1977 to 1979.
In August 2005, she graduated with Ellie, who helps her maintain an independent, busy lifestyle which includes motivational speaking and competitive marathon racing. In 2007, Buddy was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Virginia.
Questions? Please email us or call 800-572-BARK (2275).
"Ellie is a godsend. She's right here by my side ready to help whenever I need it."