Jim Warner and Maurice II

My name is Jim Warner. I was paired with Maurice II in November 2017. Currently, I serve as a middle school youth minister and do some computer technician work on the side.

I have been disabled since birth and confined to a wheelchair. Growing up, I didn’t realize that a service dog would be so much help until I received my first dog from another organization. That’s when I started to see the benefit of having a service dog. That dog later passed away from leukemia, and I wasn’t sure that I wanted another dog. So, a few years went by and I decided that it was time once again for another dog.

I began searching the website of Assistance Dogs International (ADI), and through them found Canine Companions. I loved the fact that they were starting a military initiative for our veterans seeing my brother serves in the U.S. Navy. I loved the feeling of the overall program that CCI had to offer, so I started the application process. I was excited when I was accepted onto the waiting list.

After two years of waiting, I got the call to attend team training. That was probably one of the most exciting, long, and emotionally draining two weeks of my life, but the rewards of being matched with Maurice has outweighed anything else. The training staff, puppy raisers, and volunteers were just exceptionally wonderful, and are great at the work they are doing. During those two weeks, I made new friends, or better yet, family. Not only has the companionship been wonderful, but the assistance that Maurice provides by picking up items, opening doors, and now helping me with undressing, has been awesome. 

Maurice has quickly become the class mascot with my middle school students. They enjoy seeing him each time that we meet. He tags along on our field trips, as well.

I feel Maurice has been a big motivation for me. I know that I have a responsibility to care for Maurice. It has encouraged me to be active and out moving around, because not only does it give Maurice exercise, but me as well. The biggest difference between my first dog and Maurice is that I wasn’t driving yet, and now I am driving. It gives me and my family peace knowing that I have Maurice with me when I am out by myself and I need help.