BULLETIN TEMPLATE (Apr 10, 2018)

Our guest speakers today were representatives from Canine Companions For Independence, Ruthanne Corrazini and Bob Goldfarb, who brought along Linda, the 6 month old puppy they currently share as sponsors and early training "parents". Bob, a near-retirement businessman, explained how he got involved with Canine Companions. When he was President of the Lions Club of Great Neck, his club members sponsored guide dogs for the visually impaired. After his wife, Linda, passed away, he decided to become involved with helping care for therapy/help dogs-in-training, to honor his wife's memory. Bob contacted this organization, was thoroughly vetted for this service, and waited for them to find an appropriate dog named Linda. (This dog is the 8th in the program to be so-named.) Bob was matched with Ruthanne, also a 1st time sponsor, so that they could split custody of Linda, with one taking the pup during the week, and the other on weekends. Bob and Ruthanne have begun the preliminary training of Linda, teaching her simple helping tasks and behavioral patterns/obedience as required by the organization, which knows her exact lineage and has certain expectations of her as a result. Bob and Ruthanne do not yet know exactly how much time they will have with Linda or what service Linda will end up providing, but the entire training process will take around 2 1/2 years. Before being handed over to Bob and Ruthanne, the dog was tattooed and had a chip implanted in its shoulder. When Linda wears the cape that signifies that she is a working Canine Companion, she behaves quite differently than when the cape is removed, at which time she reverts to being just a playful, lovable, occasionally mischievous puppy. Bob has already taken Linda into a supermarket and will soon bring her to a movie theater to get her used to such venues. Ruthanne demonstrated how well young Linda follows simple commands and how she is being prepared to perhaps serve a person in a wheelchair. While bringing a dog into a restaurant in NY is normally illegal, a disabled person has the right to bring his/her trained assistance dog with him/her to such public places. (Canine Companion handlers also request/expect this allowance for training purposes.) Volunteer puppy raisers like Bob and Ruthanne provide specially-bred puppies like Linda with a loving home, a healthy diet, and opportunities for socialization, helping prepare them for a lifetime of service. At around 1 1/2 years of age, Linda will probably go to the Northeast Training Center in Medford (286 Middle Island Rd.) to receive 6-9 months of professional instruction. If successful, she will perhaps go on to be matched with a person with a disability for whom she could provide increased independence. She and that person will be trained to work and live in a quality partnership together. Or, perhaps she will be selected to be a breeder dog in the program. Whatever the case, Linda has a special future of service ahead of her. Bob and Ruthanne allowed that eventually returning Linda to Canine Companions will be difficult, but the experience they are having in preparing Linda for service is fulfilling. Would you consider volunteering to raise a puppy for Canine Companions ("the hardest thing you'll ever love to do")? Contact cci.org Info@cci.org or call 1-800-572-2275.