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.

Luke Hubert and Service Dog Samford

Luke was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). This is a progressive muscle disease that takes away the ability to walk typically by the age of 12. We became aware of Canine Companions for Independence dogs and their gift when Luke was 3 years old while attending a Muscular Dystrophy Association parent support group. We knew then this was our newly realized dream for our son. We hoped that someday he, too, may have the same opportunities that so many had been given with the gift of independence through a Canine Companions dog.

We started the application process when we felt Luke was old enough to handle an assistance dog. Currently, Luke is 13 years old, and after graduating on November 3^rd, he now has a new companion in Samford. He and Samford go to the movies, read, and play videos games together. Samford goes to physical therapy each week with Luke, and gives Luke comfort during hospital and doctor visits. He also gives Luke confidence and a feeling of control in his life. Samford has been able to help Luke with daily activities. Luke also loves seeing Samford and our other dog, Bentley, play together. Samford was an immediate part of the family in every way.

We are so blessed and happy to be part of the Canine Companions family, and very grateful for the many new friends we made through our training experience. We thank all who have been a part of this process. This includes the donors, breeders, puppy raisers, instructors, and the complete CCI team. Thank you from the very bottom of our hearts. Thank you being a part of making our dream for our son a reality. Thank you for your compassion, dedication, and generosity. Thank you for giving Luke a new best friend in Samford.

The Hubert Family

Kerry and Jim Pettit

Jim and I started puppy raising for CCI in July, 2006. At the time, we lived in Henderson, Nevada, and we were part of Canine Companions for Independence’s Southwest Region. Since then, we moved to Ohio and are now part of the North Central Region. It’s been 11 ½ years, and we are now raising puppy #9, a yellow male lab/golden cross named Zephyr V. 

We have been fortunate to have watched 4 of our puppies graduate, 2 as Skilled Companion placements and 2 as Service Dog placements. The graduates of our pups have become part of our family, and we have been blessed to have been able to continue to see our pups, receive updates and pictures with each one. Seeing how these amazing dogs positively impact the lives of their recipients is what inspires us to continue to puppy raise. Knowing that in some small way we were a part of someone else’s miracle is so rewarding. 

Another benefit of puppy raising is the constant companionship of a puppy by your side. Having a puppy in training with us at work, out running errands, or at community events is an honor and a privilege. 

We are halfway through our journey with Zephyr. Each puppy has his/her own personality, challenges, and rewards. Zephyr’s story is still in the making. He will matriculate in August, and potentially graduate in February of 2019. Hopefully, puppy #10 will arrive in the fall.

Volunteering for CCI has become a lifetime commitment for us. We hope to raise at least 26 puppies—the alphabet.  We are on our way.

Carolyn Odom

I first got involved with Canine Companions for Independence in 2014. I've worked with adaptive sport programs since 2004, and had the pleasure of meeting multiple people with service dogs. CCI stood out from the pack (pun intended) as having the highest standards with their dogs. I went to my first graduation at Southwest Region to learn more about puppy raising with the mindset of "How could people do this??" and left a few hours later with a fistful of tissues, saying "How could I NOT do this??"

I got my first dog Toluca in January 2015 - I was working as the Director of Programs at the Challenged Athletes Foundation in San Diego, and this was the perfect environment. We had a CCI facility graduate in our office three days a week and my puppy was constantly exposed to a wide variety of people with disabilities. Unfortunately, she decided that working life was not for her and was released from Advanced Training. I was already training puppy number two (Khaleesi) at that point, and Toluca came back home to be her big sister!

I relocated to Cleveland for work in late 2017 after Khaleesi turned in. My current position isn't as flexible with puppy raising as my previous ones, so I'm easing them into it with puppy sitting while I get settled... moving from San Diego to NE Ohio in winter is a definite shock to the system! I've received a warm welcome from the North Central CCI family, and while I won't be puppy raising in the near future, I'm excited to continue puppy sitting and to get involved with DogFest and other local fundraisers.

Michael Cantu

Michael Cantu and Toli were paired together in May of 2017.  Michael was injured in an unfortunate accident when he landed head first in a foam pit back in August of 2011.  It was two days before the start of sophomore year at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School and he quickly learned that his life would never be the same.  From the beginning, Michael has maintained a very positive attitude and has inspired many others.  He graduated with his class in 2014 and is now in his 4^th year at Kent State where he studies Zoology.

Toli joined Michael at Kent State for the first time this semester and he has changed Michael’s life.  In addition to providing Michael with assistance with opening doors and picking up things that fall from Michael’s lap, the biggest difference has been with how other students interact with Michael.  Michael says in the past, many students would look at him and then quickly look away, not knowing what to say or how to interact.  Now, many students are drawn in because of Toli, and Michael has made many more friends this semester.

Toli has become a ‘regular’ on the Kent State main campus and accompanies Michael to his appointments, therapy and everywhere else he goes.  He usually is the source of many smiles and helps to start up conversations.  Although Michael and Toli have only been together for 6 months, they quickly became best friends and Michael can’t imagine life with his sidekick.

Jackie Stanton and Release Dog Naja

Hi, my name is Naja and I came to Northern Ohio by way of Santa Rosa, California then Columbus, Ohio and then the North Central Regional Training Center in Delaware, Ohio. My brother Nilson and I flew in this big thing. I think you humans call it a plane. Wow…scary! Then off to NCR … great smells there and then off to Miss Jackie’s house. Whew. What a whirlwind. 

Miss Jackie and her brother Joe were my puppy raisers. They also had a canine friend Chocolate Swiss. She was a tough dog. I knew not to mess with her, but she was nice to me too. She taught me lots of wonderful things like where the good spots were in the yard to go potty and to not mess with the skunks. Stinky!

I went to school with Miss Jackie. That was fun and I made great friends both human and canine while staying at Miss Jackie’s house. I like all my friends at Happy at Home Pet Sitting and Detroit Dover Animal Hospital. They have good treats there, boy! Miss Jackie and I learned basic doggy commands. Then back to NCR I went for college. I think CCI calls that Professional Training. So, funny story there... 

I kind of have a mind of my own and do not like my nails trimmed. I had great fun at NCR with all my canine friends and then there was Miss Jackie. She came back to pick me up. Wow. I think they now call me a release dog. 

It’s ok though, as I have a very important job to do. Take care of Miss Jackie and all the children in the neighborhood. Boy are they fun. And … spread the good word about CCI. Dogs love humans and we love to work or help, oh yeah and eat … can’t forget that. Humans really need us to remember the important things in life… love, laugh, work, play, eat, rest and of course lots of hugs.

Janie Baum

There are so many reasons I became a puppy raiser I am not sure I can list them all, but first and foremost, the opportunity to possibly help "give the gift of independence" is the one that stands out. Over the years of loving dogs, volunteering with pups and people with different abilities really pushed our family to start raising. Then after a freak accident paralyzed our son's best friend at the age of 16, it became a matter of "Now is the time."  That wonderful young man just graduated in May with his service dog, Toli, and they couldn't be happier!  I am still awed daily at the stories I hear of everyone's experience who receive this life changing gift.  Puppy raising is such a gift to US, and I am so thankful and blessed to be welcomed into this CCI family.  Thank you all for what YOU do, knowing that we are on this journey with Stielau and all of you makes it so much more special!