Canine Companions for Independence

Canine Companions for Independence is an institute that helps to improve the lives of those living with certain disabilities through the use of dogs. These dogs are well trained and provide assistance to those with disabilities in everyday living activities. This organization goes above and beyond by simply providing the dogs to those with disabilities. They also offer continuing support to help the individuals with the dogs gain the most they can from this incredible benefit ("Facts and FAQ's," n.d.).

The original Canine Companions for Independence (referred to as CCI for the duration of this paper) was founded in 1975 at Santa Rosa, California. A few of their highlights include one of their volunteers carrying the Olympic Torch in 2002 and in 2008 they graduated their 3000^th dog team placement. There were four CCI regional training facilities opened from 1987 to 1989. The Southeast Regional office was established during December of 1988 and on July 4, 2000, they had the grand opening of their new facility. This new facility is called the Anheuser Busch/SeaWorld Campus ("History," n.d.). The Southeast Regional office is located at 8150 Clarcona Ocoee Road, Orlando, FL, 32818. They have their own executive director and they are governed by a board of directors ("Southeast Region," n.d.).

The Southeast Region serves eight states (Alabama, Louisiana, South Carolina, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia). Their new facility that was discussed in the last paragraph is 32,000 square feet and is made up of four buildings. It is named in honor of the $1,000,000 gift received by Anheuser Busch/SeaWorld. CCI has its own website (www.caninecompanions.org) and each regional field office also has its own website ("Southeast Region," n.d.).

There are four categories of assistance dogs that are trained by CCI. These four categories are service teams, hearing teams, skilled companion teams, and facility teams. Each team assists individuals with various disabilities. The service teams help adults with physical impairments by performing everyday tasks. The hearing teams help the deaf and hard of hearing by making them aware of critical sounds. The skilled companion teams aid children and adults by increasing their independence. These children and adults normally have physical, cognitive, and developmental disabilities. Facility teams are unique in that they work with professionals in settings that range from education to healthcare or visitation ("Facts and FAQ's," n.d.).

One might imagine that the cost would be significant to receive the services of a CCI trained dog. Individuals seeking these services incur no substantial charges for receiving a CCI assistance dog. The funding for the breeding, raising, and training of each dog is covered by private donations from individuals in addition to contributions from businesses, civic groups, and service clubs. Finally, corporation and foundation grants plus fundraising activities provide additional monetary support ("Facts and FAQ's," n.d.). The only cost incurred by individuals is their transportation expenses to and from the facilities where they receive their training in addition to possible meal and hotel expenses ("Admission FAQ's," n.d.).

To be eligible to apply for a CCI assistance dog a person must have physical or developmental disabilities and be at least 18 years old. This person must also have a stable home life. To be considered for a Skilled Companion, an individual must be at least 5-years old ("Admission FAQ's," n.d.). In addition to this, they must also be able to show that they could benefit (improve their independence or quality of life) from the use of a CCI assistance dog. Qualified professionals may also apply for a CCI assistance dog. These professionals must work for an institute that renders services to individuals with physical or mental health issues. Finally, just like the final criteria for an individual with a disability, these professional must show that the people they serve will benefit through their interactions with a CCI assistance dog. The first step in receiving an assistance dog is to apply ("Facts and FAQ's," n.d.). The application process and all it entails can be completed online ("Apply for a Dog," n.d.). Each and every application cannot be accepted. CCI evaluates their applicants and chooses the individuals who would be best served by a CCI team ("Facts and FAQ's," n.d.).

The application process takes approximately 3 to 6 months. Once an application has been accepted does not mean a person immediately gets an assistance dog. That individuals name is then put on a waiting list for the particular category of dog that is needed. The amount of time spent on the waiting list depends on which service category is desired. Most individuals who apply will find out in 4 to 6 weeks if they even qualify to go forward in the application process ("Admission FAQ's," n.d.). An applicant coordinator from the individuals nearest regional center is responsible for reviewing the application and determining if a dog is needed and then what kind of dog is needed ("Apply for a Dog," n.d.).

Once an applicant has gone through the entire process and CCI has determined that person would benefit from an assistance dog it is not as easy as the individual simply picking up their assistance dog and enjoying the benefits. Candidates must complete a two-week instructive class at a regional center where they are evaluated so they can be matched up with the appropriate dog. During these 2 weeks not only are they paired with a suitable assistance dog but they must learn to work together in a successful manner. Those receiving assistance dogs must be able to provide the proper care (feeding, housing, and medical needs) for their dog and dog must be used in its proposed capacity ("Facts and FAQ's," n.d.).

CCI assistance dogs provide many different services. The dogs in the Service, Skilled Companion, and Facility categories can complete over 40 commands. Included in these commands is the ability to pick up and deliver items that have been dropped along with tugging and pushing. Dogs in these categories can also turn lights off and on and pull lightweight manual wheelchairs. The dogs in the Hearing category deal primarily with alerting individuals to certain sounds and helping individuals become oriented to particular sounds ("Admission FAQ's," n.d.). Individuals will normally have the services of an assistance dog for 8 years. After 8 years the dog is allowed to live the rest of its life as a pet ("Facts and FAQ's," n.d.).

CCI uses two main breeds of dogs. The breeds include Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. At times they may use a mixture of the two breeds. Donated puppies who meet strict requirements are accepted occasionally but most of the dogs come from a breeding program that is very selective and carried out by CCI ("Facts and FAQ's," n.d.).

Margaret Ager, Southeast Regional Executive Manager, advised in a telephone interview that CCI-Southeast does partake in outreach services to surrounding communities. Regarding the state of Tennessee, she noted that CCI "has hosted a breakfast at a country club in Nashville" along with other events to make the public more aware of the services rendered by her organization. She also discussed how CCI is really reaching out to our service members as they return home from Iraq and the Middle East with various injuries. CCI does not participate in any home-based programs due to the extensive training component of the program. They do visit homes once the dog has been in the placement for a certain period of time to make sure that things are working out (M. Ager, personal communication, February 22, 2010).

CCI-Southeast has 18 staff members. Ager advised their staff organization is similar to a "three legged stool." They have an administration department, fundraising department, and program department. The program department is made up of individuals who take care of the dogs needs (kennel, etc.) and it is run by a program manager. They also have five full-time instructors within this department. These individuals have college degrees or at least some college and the process of becoming an instructor takes three years and includes training in California. Additional staff includes an Applicant Manager who evaluates the many applications received by CCI. This person has their Master's in Social Work (M. Ager, personal communication, February 22, 2010).

There is no doubt that CCI has touched the lives of many individuals. Their assistance dogs provide a service that comes with no price. There is no doubt that many people are able to gain a sense of autonomy and independence that had been lost due to a disability or accident when they receive the services of a CCI dog. That CCI provides this service with almost no cost to the participants is amazing and it is all due to the donations of individuals and companies. Hopefully they will be around for many years to come and thousands of individuals can benefit from this organizations hard work.

References

Admission FAQs. Retrieved from

http://www.cci.org/site/c.cdKGIRNqEmG/b.4011039/k.7E22/Admission_FAQs.htm.

Apply For A Dog. Retrieved from

http://www.cci.org/site/c.cdKGIRNqEmG/b.4010981/k.87A7/Apply_For_A_Dog.htm.

Facts and FAQ's. Retrieved from

http://www.cci.org/site/c.cdKGIRNqEmG/b.4011133/k.787E/Facts_and_FAQs.htm.

History. Retrieved from

http://www.cci.org/site/c.cdKGIRNqEmG/b.4010989/k.C6DF/History.htm.

Southeast Region. Retrieved from

http://www.cci.org/site/c.cdKGIRNqEmG/b.4011069/k.A9A4/Southeast_Region.htm.