Canine Companions for Independence

Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) is a non-profit organization that trains and provides assistance dogs.

Foundations

CCI was founded in Santa Rosa, California in July 1975 by Bonnie Bergin. Since then, it has grown to a national organization. CCI currently operates in five national regions:

*Northwest Region: Northern California, Northern Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, & Alaska
*Southwest Region: Southern California, Southern Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Utah, Oklahoma, Arkansas, & Hawaii
*North Central Region: North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska,. & Pennsylvania
*Northeast Region: New York, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, & Washington DC
*Southeast Region: Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, North Calorina, South Carolina, & Alabama

Canines Companions for Independence is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All expenses of the dogs (breeding, raising, and training), are paid for by private donations, such as those from separate foundations, corporations, or personal checks. The Lions Project for Canine Companions for Independence (LPCCI) has donated a total of $2 million to the project. In addition, much of the work is done by volunteers. The Lions Project was founded in 1983 to better function as a significant provider of financial and volunteer support to CCI. [2006, Lions Project for Canine Companions for Independence, http://www.lpcci.com/]

The dogs

CCI trains three types of dogs- service dogs (primarily mobility assistance), hearing dogs for the hearing-impaired, and dogs for "facility teams." Facility teams are made up of a dog and partner, who is usually a rehabilitation specialist, educator, or caretaker. Primarily, these dogs exist as highly-specialized therapy dogs, and help out in the mental, physical and emotional development of a person in need. These dogs also carry most of the skills of service dogs as well as specialized skills for whatever type of facility the dog will be working in.

Breeding and raising

CCI employs a breeding program to supply their dogs. [CCI's breeding program http://www.caninecompanions.org/national/breeding.html] They use purebred Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, as well as a cross between the two known as an LGX. As puppies, the dogs go though extensive temperament and medical evaluations before being selected. Then, the puppies selected as breeders are placed with a volunteer breeder/caretaker who is located within a ninety mile radius of their national headquarters in Santa Rosa, California. Female dogs' caretakers are responsible for the actual birth of the puppies and taking care of them for the first eight weeks; male dogs' caretakers are responsible for the dogs ready for mating.

When it comes time to raise the puppies, CCI calls upon volunteers for this as well. Volunteers must provide a safe house as well as caring for the puppy from the time it is eight weeks old until it is time to turn them in, generally at the age of sixteen to eighteen months. Volunteers are responsible for the exercise, grooming, feeding, socialization, and all necessary healthcare requirements, such as spaying and neutering, of their puppy. There are about 40 commands taught during this phase. Also, the puppy-raisers are also responsible for transportation, such as shipping costs and the cost required if a puppy needs to be shipped back to CCI for advanced training. [Puppy-raising for CCI http://www.caninecompanions.org/national/puppy_raising.html]

Training

The six to nine month advanced training begins as soon as the dog is returned by the volunteer puppy raisers. Dogs first undergo medical tests, x-rays, and screenings for proper temperament. If the dog does not pass the examinations they are released immediately. The first three months of training, which is referred to as the first semester, reviews what the dogs have learned and then builds upon it. At this stage, the dogs are taught how to retrieve and service dogs begin working around wheelchairs. The second semester, which lasts another three months, concludes with the dogs learning the commands for their final job, such as opening doors and switching on lights. The dogs are also put in real-life situations to determine if they have what it takes to handle the stress.

Team training is the final phase in the advanced training. Hopeful recipients do not pay for the dog, but must travel to CCI headquarters. Dogs are then paired with the person and go through two weeks of training, where the dog is taught to work with that specific person and teaches the recipient how to handle and care for the dog. [CCI training http://www.caninecompanions.org/national/training.html] If the recipient and the dog pass, they then attend CCI graduation.

Six weeks after finishing the training at headquarters, teams must return for follow-up, to ensure the dogs are doing their jobs correctly and there are no problems. CCI dog users may also periodically return for reunions or extra follow-up training at any time. [ About follow-up training at CCI http://www.caninecompanions.org/national/follow_up.html]

References

External links

* [http://www.caninecompanions.org/ Canine Companions for Independence]