Jordan Oberholtzer

People always say to me, “I don’t know how your mom does it. I could never part with a dog after a year and a half.”  Before my mom started volunteering with Canine Companions as a puppy raiser, I too, would have been one of those people. But after watching and being a part of the process, I can’t imagine not doing it.

Since joining the Northern Ohio Chapter of Canine Companions for Independence, my mom has raised three beautiful and talented female puppies- Chai, Haven, and Mazie.  It has been a joy to watch each girl grow into her personality, as well as exceed in training during the short amount of time they were with our family.

For the past five years, I have lived in Chicago. During that time, my mom’s second dog, Haven, was matched with a lovely recipient named Janie.  Just seeing the two of them together reinforced to me Canine Companion’s mission.  Never have I met a more perfect team. Not only do they work well together, but they also share a truly unconditional loving bond.  It is amazing what Haven has been able to do for Janie and it’s even more amazing to see how they have grown together. I am so grateful to be able to witness it.

Although I do not have a Canine Companions puppy yet, I still enjoy volunteering and attending chapter events.  One of the first training events I went to after moving home from Chicago was at the Strongsville Fire Station. The fire fighters have been so kind to let us train there for the past 4 years.  While at the station, I was blown away on how calm and focused each dog was in the midst of alarms ringing, smoke filling up a room, and chain saws roaring.  It was a testament to how hard the puppy raisers like my mom work to make sure these dogs can face anything that comes at them.

Yolanda Gonzales and Zane

Hi, My name is Yolanda Gonzales and I am raising my 11^th puppy. His name is Zane. Zane is currently 17 months. 

This is my story -

Back in 1993, while I lived in Indianapolis, someone brought a puppy into the place I worked. My coworkers rushed back to where I was working and told me all about it – I asked them to get a phone number from them so I could learn more about the program. 

From the time I was a teenage, I had a desire to work with dogs, I didn't know it was possible until I learn about Canine Companions for Independence. For me, it was a dream come true.

I got my first puppy within six months. His name was Irvine. It was love at first sight. I called him Vinnie because I had a difficult time calling him Irvine. Vinnie was released from the program, so I adopted him. He was the one in a million dog for me. After he was released, I trained him for Search and Rescue, he loved his work. Plus, he continued supporting Canine Companions for Independence by helping me raise more puppies.

Each puppy I have raised has taught me so much. My second was Osburn. He graduated and I am still in touch with his recipient to this day. 

Then came Kaz. Kaz was my most professional dog. Even a quirk he developed while I was raising him became a blessing to his recipient. His recipient also keeps in touch with me--so much so that I learned that his current successor dog was raised by Mandy Mueller. 

My fourth puppy was a surprise. He came to me at 8 months of age. On the day I turned Kaz in for professional training, I was told that Gonzales was returned. I was asked if I would like to raise him. The name is not an accident. He was named after me. The previous puppy raiser called him Gonzo.I called him that, too. He also graduated.

Then came Beta. She was released for temperament and my sister-in-law adopted her. Beta's turn in was two weeks after my first child, Naomi, was born. My friend, Marti Vanada, turned Beta in for me.

It was at that time that I took a 7-year break. I waited patiently until my second child, Nina, started kindergarten.

Since then my daughter's have been involved with Canine Companions. We raised Tomo, Rowan, Kelso, Wanda, Fiama, and now Zane. My children have been raising puppies more than half their lives. 

Zane has been such a joy to raise. Being a puppy-raiser for over 24 years become so much a part of my life and I cannot imagine not raising another puppy. When the time comes to turn in Zane, my heart starts to beat a little faster because that is when the real magic starts. I will hold my breath until I get to hand over the leash to someone who will get to experience the magic, too. 

About 3 or 4 years ago, I ran into a dear friend after 17 years apart. She was turning in her first puppy. She was there for me when I turned in Vinnie, and promised me she would keep an eye on him. Well, I got to return the favor. She was having a most difficult time turning in her puppy, then I said – look at all these puppy raisers who are doing it for the 2^nd, 3^rd or 4^th time. Why do they do it knowing it will be difficult? Well, she did return her puppy for professional training and now she is getting ready to turn in her 3^rd dog. She gets it now. 

How do you explain the magic that happens to someone who has never done it?

Bob Keleman and SD Lakota

My story can be quite complicated. The shortened version started with a back injury in high school. I broke my tail bone playing football. I worked as a landscaper and an excavator most of my life. It can be a dangerous job. I had a mechanical failure in a truck I was driving and hit an overpass on the highway. 

During my surgery, they found numerous crushed vertebrae. I now have titanium plates, rods and screws holding that together. It also resulted in nerve damage from my lower back all the way down both legs. So in 2008, my doctor told me I would never again be able to do what I loved and was put on disability. She was the one who suggested I look into Canine Companions for Independence. 

I denied needing the assistance for a long time, but I eventually did apply. I believe that was over 3 years ago. Since then, I’ve had numerous surgeries, including two total knee replacements--one of which was an accident made by a resident resulting in a second surgery two days later. And then 6 weeks ago, another surgery by a different hospital system to fix an additional issue with that same knee. Needless to say, bending and kneeling are not activities that I excel at. My biggest issue is mobility. I am ambulatory, but occasionally fall from the nerve damage and atrophy. 

In February 2016, my wife divorced me, leaving me homeless. I have no family and no children. When I got the call from Canine Companions about a possible assistance dog, I was really torn. I  wasn’t sure I had the resources to care for a dog and definitely didn’t have the money to stay in a hotel for two weeks plus food and gas during our training period. I actually told my instructor no. I can’t afford to do it. 

I mentioned the opportunity to get a Canine Companions assistance dog to a friend on Facebook, and that was the beginning of the miracle. This young lady refused to let me give up. She and two other woman insisted on paying for my hotel for my entire stay in Delaware, Ohio, and sent me gas cards and food cards. I called the instructor at Canine Companions back and told her I would be there. 

So, on February 4th, I met the amazing staff of Canine Companions for Independence at the North Central Regional Training Center in Delaware, Ohio. Then I met Lakota.

Lakota means "friend". Exactly what I needed. We spent two weeks during team training working together. I knew Lakota was the one. I was also blessed to have met other potential graduates. Everyone was so kind and friendly. When I was told that I now have a surrogate family, I didn’t really believe that would be the case. But I was wrong. 

When I told Eric, Canine Companions' Graduate Program Manager, of my upcoming surgery, and that I didn’t have anyone to care for Lakota, he assured me that Canine Companions would make accommodations to have someone help with Lakota's needs. An incredible young lady, Emily Cikra volunteered to watch Lakota during my hospital stay. There were also two of my classmates that came and visited me for two separate weekends. Amazing kind loving families. I really enjoyed the company and Lakota loved seeing his old buddies, one of which was his brother Layton. I’ve also received numerous cards and care packages. 

Canine Companions for Independence is an incredible group of people that have welcomed me with open arms. I’m not used to that, but the timing couldn’t have been better. Lakota’s help after the surgery was and is priceless. He also motivates me to keep healing, physically and spiritually. I need to walk him, but I also need his kisses. I never imagined at 48 years old that my life would change so much and so fast. But then I remember the saying “ If you want to hear God laugh, tell him 'your' plans”. 

Lakota is my life and the “little man” I was never able to have. He’s my everything. A perfect pure little soul. And I don’t think dog backwards is God. I know that’s a little silly. But I think God uses dogs to watch over us. 

I would be remiss if I did not mention the amazing puppy raiser family that took care of Lakota for the first year and a half of his life: Chris and Harold McHenry and their two beautiful daughters Grace and Lauren. They are lovely people. We keep in touch and I hope to see them soon.