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?