Spring 2013 - Canine Companions for Independence
Transcription
Spring 2013 - Canine Companions for Independence
The Companion Spring 2013, issue fourteen Southwest Edition Just Like All the Other Kids “I wanted to have something to be like other people,” says thirteen-year-old Jared. Jared is a lot like most thirteen-year-olds. He likes to play video games, is a Boy Scout and is on his school’s wrestling team. What makes Jared feel “different”? He’s challenged with cerebral palsy. Phil, Jared’s dad, thought that an assistance dog would be just the ticket for Jared. Not only would Jared have the companionship of a dog, but an assistance dog would be able to help Jared do things like pick up the video game controller when he drops it. In February 2012, Jared and Phil, graduated with assistance dog John from our Orlando, FL training center. Since returning home, Jared’s life has changed dramatically. “People used to be scared to talk to Jared. Now, with John by Jared’s side, people look at Jared, not just his wheelchair, and they have conversations,” Phil continues. “Since we got John, Jared has more of a community and more opportunities for friendships. Now, he knows everyone in the school,” explains Phil. Recently, Jared’s community expanded vastly after a video of him winning his first wrestling match was viewed by over a million people online. He’s been invited to meet professional wrestlers and enjoyed the Continued on page 3 Become a Miracle Maker With over 390 people on our waiting list for a highly trained assistance dog and hundreds more contacting us regularly— we need your help. Your monthly contribution of $10, $25 or more will help place more assistance dogs to transform the lives of people with disabilities. A nd, you’ ll become a Miracle Maker — because your regular monthly contribution creates daily miracles. A Letter from the Board Chair and CEO It was a banner year for Canine Companions! In 2012, we placed 255 highly trained assistance dogs that will transform the lives of people with disabilities. This brings us to 4058 graduates since our founding in 1975. We are so proud of the community of supporters and volunteers that made this independence possible. It is March already, and we are full steam ahead for 2013. At this time we have placed 55 assistance dogs and had six Team Trainings and graduations. You can get the dates for our next graduation ceremonies on page 13. In January, we marched in the Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C. It was an honor to be selected to participate in this historical tradition. Please see page 6 to read more about our experiences. We hope you know, as a Canine Companions supporter, you are a vital part of making our mission of increased independence for people with disabilities a reality. Without you, the seats at graduation ceremonies would be empty, there would be no well behaved and socialized puppies to train to be assistance dogs and there would be no funding to continue our strong support to the over 1,800 active Canine Companions graduates. Thank you for making 2012 such a remarkable year. Here’s to continued success in 2013! As a Miracle Maker you’re there each time a child in a wheelchair makes a new friend by introducing their assistance dog and you’re there when a man or woman who has served our country tells their dog to turn on the light instead of sitting in the dark. Being a monthly Miracle Maker is easy and convenient. Your monthly contribution is charged to your credit card automatically, or automatically transferred from your checking account; whichever is most convenient for you. And of course, you’re free to cancel at any time. Sincerely, Go to cci.org/independence or call 1-866-224-3647 to make your gift today. Together we can create independence Anne Gittinger Corey Hudson Chair, Canine Companions National Board CEO, Canine Companions 2 and transform more lives. Canine Companions for Independence® We Rang the Bell! On December 20, 2012, representatives of Eukanuba Dog Foods member and Canine Companions Graduate Capt. James Van and Canine Companions for Independence rang the opening Thach (USA Ret.) attended with his assistance dog Liz to help bell of the New York Stock Exchange in celebration of our us celebrate. James is a Purple Heart recipient who was twice Initial Puppy Offering! Eukanuba was the Angel Investor in wounded while serving our country in Iraq. our IPO in the amount of $100,000. Thanks to National Board Member Jean Schulz, Snoopy In addition to our friends from Eukanuba, John Miller, Canine Companions national and northeast regional board also joined in the fun. Check out our Facebook page for more pictures! Continued from page 1 Just Like All the Other Kids morning talk show circuit, including our graduates and volunteers are our best Good Morning America and the Today ambassadors! Show. Also, Jared and John along with the whole family joined Canine Companions in the 57th Presidential Inaugural Parade. To learn more about how assistance dogs change lives, visit our website cci.org. See page six for more on the inaugural parade! Jared is just one example of how our assistance dogs change lives, and how The Companion Spring 2013 Jared and John visit Hulk and Brooke Hogan. 3 Campus Benefactors Continue Their Generosity Bestselling author Dean Koontz and his wife, Gerda, donated the generous sum of $350,000 to Canine Companions in 2012. Funds will help Canine Companions provide highly trained assistance dogs to people with disabilities and a portion will also benefit the Trixie Fund, which provides financial support to help cover extraordinary veterinary expenses of assistance dogs. Dean, Gerda and their late, retired service dog, Trixie, are the Southwest Region’s campus benefactors. Today, Dean and Gerda share their home with released dog, Anna. To date, the Koontz family has donated more than $8 million to Canine Companions. Just think of all of the joy, unconditional love and faithful service their support has enabled! Dean and Gerda Koontz with Anna. Championship Dogs Meet Champion Working Dogs Thanks to our partner, Eukanuba Dog Foods, Canine Companions was featured at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Graduate team Margo and Service Dog Joss put on an awesome show and made new fans of Euka and the AKC mascot, Bailey the Beagle. Many thanks to Margo and our booth volunteers for being wonderful Canine Companions ambassadors and sharing our mission with the other participants. Canine Companions was also honored in the center ring by Eukanuba at the beginning of the show, which was broadcast on ABC in February. Check out more photos from the show on our Facebook page. 4 Canine Companions for Independence® Jerri & Jerry Amos – 19 ‘Kids’ and Counting Jerri Amos never imagined when she picked up a magazine along with her husband Jerry, looked into the program and 22 years ago that it would change her life forever. As she contacted the regional center closest to them, the North Central flipped through the pages she saw an article about volunteer Regional Center. puppy raisers and learned of the need for puppy raisers. Jerri, “We have always liked dogs and our older children were leaving the nest. Puppy raising seemed like the perfect fit,” Jerri explains. In 1991 the Amoses raised their first Canine Companions’ puppy Madeleine and they never looked back. The Amoses welcomed their 19th Canine Companions puppy Emma, of the “E” litter fame, into their home last November. So, what has kept Jerri and Jerry so enthusiastically raising puppies over all these years? “Seeing the difference these dogs make in peoples’ lives makes it all worth it,” Jerry continues. “We obviously think Canine Companions is a great organization,” Jerry explains. Learn more about puppy raising and read stories from other “E” litter puppy raisers at cci.org/puppyraiser. See page 11 for more information about Emma and the “E” litter! The Best Gift What better way to honor an anniversary, holiday or birthday than with a special gift to Canine Companions for Independence. Visit our website cci.org/tribute and make a donation to mark a special occasion or honor a loved one. We’ll mail a lovely card to the person of your choice with your personalized message. Prefer to send an ecard? You can also make a donation and choose from a wide variety of images to appear with your customized message to the recipient. You can even choose what day you’d like the ecard to be delivered! Go to cci.org/ecards to make a donation and send your customized ecards today! The Companion Spring 2013 5 First Service Dog Organization Salutes First Family On Monday, January 21st, Canine Companions for Independence marched in the 57th Presidential Inaugural Parade. There were 131 marchers and 56 dogs from 14 states representing Canine Companions, with nationwide participation including assistance dog teams, volunteer puppy raisers, National Board Members, CEO Corey Hudson, as well as staff. Canine Companions was one of 60 organizations chosen from over 2,800 applications. The parade was broadcast worldwide. Debuting at the parade was Canine Companions dog Independence, “Canine Companions was honored to be chosen to a dog balloon proudly wearing a participate in the Presidential Inaugural Parade. We’re grateful Canine Companions assistance dog to have shared in this historic day and to share our mission vest, as a part of the parade float. of serving people with disabilities worldwide,” says Hudson. Wounded Veterans Initiative Update Thanks to your support we continue to of our assistance dogs to more veterans place more assistance dogs with veterans. and provide more assistance dogs to To date we’ve given 79 assistance dogs veterans. to increase independence for disabled veterans. This year we hope to bring awareness 6 You can learn more about our veterans program and support our mission at cci.org/veterans. Canine Companions for Independence® Barbara’s Director’s Chair L et me begin by extending my warmest thank you to each of you for all of your contributions in 2012. Thanks to our volunteers, donors, partners and staff, we achieved extraordinary things! You have changed the lives of countless numbers of people with disabilities because of your commitment and dedication. It takes many individuals to achieve our mission and YOU have truly made a difference! Your investment in Canine Companions helps us provide these exceptional dogs to our graduates free of charge. I would like to reflect on just a few highlights from 2012. In the Southwest Region, we placed 182 puppies in volunteers’ homes and averaged 285 active volunteer puppy raisers. We completed 173 follow-up visits consisting of ADI public certification tests, center visits, home visits and workshops. Our volunteers and staff gave 106 presentations and participated Barbara Barrow, Executive Director, Canine Companions Southwest Region in 144 outreach events. We now have 345 active teams here in the Southwest Region. And at our November Graduation, we celebrated a historic milestone with the placement of our 4000th graduate team since Canine Companions for Independence was founded in 1975. All of these achievements require resources and we are deeply grateful for your financial Southwest Region Board of Directors Margaret “Pegge” Wilson, President Col. Chris Conlin (USMC Ret.), Vice President Bill Bauce John Brunton Robert Cartin, DVM Louise Copeland Tim Gackstetter Kim Haydel support and the generous donation of your time. Now, our focus has shifted to the year ahead which is filled with new opportunities and lots of exciting activities. We have already completed our first Team Training and Graduation and ten new teams are now on their journey to independence. We all are always so inspired and motivated after Graduation. To witness the power of the human and canine bond reminds us why we are all a part of the Canine Companions for Independence family and why we work tirelessly to achieve our mission. Many great events are on the schedule this year and provide an excellent opportunity to support our mission. Please join us for emBARKadero on April 13 at the Embarcadero Marina Park South near the San Diego Convention Center for a four-legged 4K. And you won’t want to miss the Imagine Independence author dinner and auction on April 18 in Ogden, Utah. For all of the golfers, there will be three different venues in three different states. Tee it Leslie Hennessy up in Albuquerque, New Mexico at Twin Warriors on July 26; then head to Phoenix and test Michael E. Hennessy your skills at Troon on September 20; and finish the swing in Southern California on the Tom Hollenstein newly renovated La Costa course on October 25. If golf isn’t your game, you won’t want to Diane Killeen miss our second annual HAUTE DOG | LA doggie fashion show at The Peninsula Hotel in Cynthia Miley Beverly Hills on September 25. Visit our website at cci.org to get more information on these Jack Peluso and other exciting events, including the new Canine Companions National Signature event. I look forward to working and serving with you in the year ahead. Together we can Bob Street Mark Ward change lives and we can make a difference! As Winston Churchill said, “We make a living Lance Weir by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Thank you for giving and giving and giving! Barbara Barrow Executive Director, Southwest Region The Companion Spring 2013 7 Get Involved! New Mexico Champions Volunteers are staying busy, welcoming new puppies in program to raise for Canine Companions. We are thrilled that New Mexico Champion Amy Steider was honored with the Geneva Davis Run. Walk. Roll. Wag. Award. Longtime Canine Companions volunteer, Buddy, was recently matched with Successor Service Dog Stanford. emBARKadero Join us for a 4-Legged 4K run/walk/ roll followed by a dog festival to benefit Canine Companions. cci.org/embarkadero 4/13/13 8am to 2pm The Enchanted Canines Golf Classic will again be held at the beautiful Twin Warriors Golf Club on July 26 in Albuquerque. We hope you will join us! Visit ccigolf.org for details and to register. Embarcadero Marina Park South Oklahoma Red Earth Chapter On March 30, join us in Shawnee for the Canine Easter Parade. Dress your pooch in its Easter finest for a 1.5 mile walk and a chance to win! Proceeds from the contest benefit Canine Companions. On April 27, we’re hosting Tails and Trails, a 90 mile motorcycle ride along historic Route 66. Enjoy a silent auction, community drawings, music and food at the ride’s conclusion. It will begin and end at Sehorn Yamaha in Shawnee. Visit cci.org/okevents or email [email protected] for more information. Valley of the Sun San Diego, CA Kay & Shiann, Mary Aynn & FD, Garden, Karen & Verbena, Joanie & Odyssey II, Amy & Vienna V, and Andrew & Fuchsia II We started out the year with a strategic retreat. Chapter volunteers shared their vision for future fundraising and community awareness activities. In February, we celebrated the matriculating puppies in program with a Valentinethemed send off. Plans are already underway for the Dog Days of Summer Golf Classic. We will be golfing to benefit Canine Companions on September 20 at Troon North Golf Club in Scottsdale. Sponsorship information and registration is available online at ccigolf.org. Wasatch Champions Save the date of April 18 for the second annual Imagine Independence author dinner and silent auction. The event will feature Marianne McKiernan, author of Let the Dogs Speak! and owner of Telling Tales Animal Communication. Admission is $50. Visit cci.org/ imagineindependence for sponsorship opportunities and to purchase tickets. Visit cci.org/swnews to read an article on Graduate Sawyer and Skilled Companion Topper II from Spanish Fork, Utah. The article was published nationally. 8 Canine Companions for Independence® SOCAL Champions We’ve been busy ra ising funds, enthusiasm, insights and puppies! Our dog washes and gift wrapping activities have made fundraising fun for the entire group. Quarterly meetings introduced us to a graduate team family, taught us how to make winning presentations and explained what it takes to go from trainer to volunteer coordinator at Canine Companions. Elections brought fresh insight into growing our group. Volunteers have enjoyed gathering to bring puppies in program on concert and museum outings and even on boat trips. Above: Southern California volunteers gather in Balboa Park with the puppies they are raising for Canine Companions. Colorado Satellite Office Thanks to all who supported Canine Companions for Independence on Colorado Gives Day on December 4! Canine Companions raised over $6,000 during this 24 hour event, which was sponsored by Community First Foundation and FirstBank. Golf with Canine Companions We wrapped up the 2012 golf tour with the Volunteer Award Winner The Southwest Region is proud to recognize Amy Steider as the recipient of the annual Geneva Davis Volunteer Leadership Award. In addition to raising four puppies for Canine Companions, Amy is the liaison for the New Mexico volunteer group. She is instrumental in organizing such events as the Enchanted Canines Golf Classic and the Weems ArtFest. Congratulations, Amy! Canine Companions Invitational Golf Classic and Celebration Dinner at the Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point, California. This memorable event on a stunning course raised $81,000 for Canine Companions! Our sincerest gratitude to Title Sponsor Disney VoluntEARs. Thank you to all of the event’s sponsors including American Honda, Canon Business Solutions, Capistrano VW, CoLogiq, ConAm, Del Mar Racetrack, Don and Kathleen King, Ladera Ranch Businesswomen’s Networking Group, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Mission Animal and Bird Hospital, Plas-Tal Steel Construction, Plas-Tal Industries, Roessler Design Group, San Diego County Credit Union, Sempra Energy, Michael and Gloria Sullivan and Vineyard Vines. Visit ccigolf.org for information on our 2013 golf events. Photo by Stacey Webb, Scout Photography The Companion Spring 2013 9 Canine Companions Goes Big in Texas Excitement about Canine Companions’ mission continues to build in Texas. First, Canine Companions gratefully accepted a $75,000 donation to benefit the Wounded Veterans Initiative from the NAPE Charities Fund at the Summer NAPE Expo in Houston. Next, Canine Companions representatives attended the Warrior Open in Dallas, an annual golf tournament that allows injured veterans the chance to play golf alongside President George W. Bush. In 2012, it also provided the perfect forum to introduce participants to Canine Companions! The From L-R: Service Team Jason Morgan and Napal II, Southwest Region Executive Director Barbara Barrow, President George W. Bush and Service Team Steve Blackman and Gottlieb enjoy the Warrior Open. Jason and Steve, along with puppy raisers Beth Jerner and Virginia Devilleneuve, hosted a Canine Companions Salutes Independence the following weekend. following weekend, some of our outstanding volunteers hosted Canine Companions Salutes Independence, sponsored by Prudential, in Richardson. Thanks to all who attended and supported the event to raise awareness of the Wounded Veterans Initiative! HAUTE DOG | LA: A Howlin’ Good Time Canine Companions for Independence, Disney VoluntEARS and the Luxury Marketing Council of Southern California proudly presented HAUTE DOG | LA, a doggie runway fashion show, on October 17 at The Peninsula Beverly Hills. Approximately 150 people attended to see 15 canines strut their stuff on the catwalk. Judges included Tommy Davidson (Black Dynamite), Matt Sorum (Velvet Revolver), Jay Cramer (graduate and stand-up comedian), Katy Sullivan (actress and Paralympic athlete) and Cole Massie (graduate, actor and deejay). A ll prov ided colorful commentary as breeds ranging from Maltese to Golden Retrievers competed for Most Creative, Silliest and Cutest Costumes. The evening’s biggest winner was Canine Companions, with $25,000 raised. Visit cci.org/hautedogla to see the 2012 winners and for information on this year’s event. Canine Companions supporter Shirley McKernan, of The Shirley McKernan Courage Foundation, walked the runway with her Labradoodle, Charlie. 10 At right: Judges included Service Team Jay Cramer and Goliath, as well as Jay’s wife, Katy Sullivan. Photos by Kate Luhr Canine Companions for Independence® Where Are They Now? Were you one of the over 50,000 viewers of the live puppy cam that documented the first few weeks of the “E” litter? Did you cast your vote in our first ever puppy name challenge to name the first-born pup of the “E” litter? So many people shared how much they loved the to extraordinary. You can receive stories in your inbox when you subscribe to our enewsletter at cci.org/updates. We’ll also be sharing updates and photos on our blog Help is a Four-Legged Word. Subscribe to our blog at blog.cci.org today! “E” litter that we’ve decided to follow them on their journey Taxes Are Confusing. We Can Help. The 2012 American Taxpayers Relief Act mandatory distributions from your IRA, (passed in 2013) contained lots of changes you can rollover a distribution directly that may effect your philanthropic tax to Canine Companions. As part of the benefits for 2013. tax bill passed by Congress at the begin- Please feel free to give Dave Bonfilio, ning of 2013, the popular IRA Charitable national director of planned giving, a call Rollover was extended. Your IRA plan to discuss, or email him your questions administrator can facilitate the distribu- at [email protected] tion. IRA Rollover Extended Canine Companions dogs love to roll over for a good belly rub when For more information on this and other planned gifts, contact Dave at [email protected] or visit cci.org/plannedgiving. Treat a dog to a good belly rub. they’re not working. If you are taking The Companion Spring 2013 11 The Road to Becoming a Canine Companions Instructor Did you know that all Canine Companions instructors start on their road to becoming a fully accredited instructor in the Instructor Assistant Program at the Schulz Campus in Santa Rosa, California? “Our instructor assistants are dedicated to our mission of providing highly trained assistance dogs to people with disabilities. They’re educated, experienced around dogs, and most importantly willing to be flexible and learn from the ground up how to be a part of delivering our mission,” explains Megan Ross, instructor assistant program manager. After spending six months to a year in the Instructor Assistant Program, future instructor hopefuls are promoted to the Apprenticeship Program where they must pass written exams and skill performance tests. The apprenticeship course lasts approximately three years. Before becoming a fully accredited instructor, each person passes both the Assistance Dogs International and Canine Companions for Independence instructor exams. It’s a long and sometimes arduous road from an instructor assistant to an instructor. But, along the way each individual learns the intangible and immeasurable skill of how to match an assistance dog’s skills with a person’s needs and abilities. “Some call it a team, some a partnership – we call it a match for a lifetime of independence,” says Megan. Learn more about our program at cci.org. Let Us Know Please return the enclosed envelope to show your support with a donation and let us know that you support our mission! 12 Canine Companions for Independence® Waiting Right now there are over 390 people on our waiting list…. waiting for the chance to receive an assistance dog free of charge. Waiting for independence. We can’t help them without your support. Donate today by returning the enclosed envelope or on our website at cci.org/ donatenow. Our Assistance Dogs Aren’t Just Born, They’re Raised “It’s like we’ve been given a box of love, and it was free.” This powerful statement came from a Canine Companions graduate as he spoke through tears at a graduation ceremony. His weren’t the only tears in the room that day. The tears came from a deep understanding that assistance dogs aren’t just born. They’re raised. Carrying all the hope of the volunteer breeder caretaker who brought them safely into the world. Bearing all the love of the volunteer puppy raiser who nurtured them everyday for over a year. And filled with the generosity of every member of the Canine Companions community. Thank you to all the volunteer breeder caretakers and puppy raisers who give so selflessly every day to help create independence for people with disabilities. Visit cci.org/puppyraiser to learn more about being a volunteer puppy raiser. The Companion Spring 2013 13 Team Training Yearbook Northwest Region ➊ November 2012 Sue with Rodney III; AJ with Wayne III; Emily with Rapunzel; Shelley with Jetta II; Shelley with Wilde; Dale with Tessa VI; Janet with Niah; Ann with Neffa II; Buddy with Stanford II; Laurie with Judge IV; Gina with Hummel ➋ November 2012 Nicholas & Diane with Rayleigh; Jessie, Carolyn & Shimon with Peter VI; Joseph & David with Minos; Nicholas, Cori & Ray with Daphne IV ➊ Southwest Region ➌ September 2012 Sawyer & Kandace with Topper II ➍ November 2012 Carole with Fallina; Tonya with Wink; Cathay, Ananda & John with Syracuse; Bob with Lochlin; LadyHawk & Joanne with Leo IV; Sally with Fortuna; Katie, Trish & Joe with Jobeth; Randi with Donahue II ➋ ➌ 14 ➍ Canine Companions for Independence® North Central Region ➊ November 2012 Thomas with Pedro; Sue with Jada IV; Jennifer Paris with Pike; Ashley with Nikita III; Erin with Gunner II; Dan with Renada; John with Jamal II; Dennis with Hawkeye II; Steve with Kent III; Lisa with Tilden II; Linda with Trevor IV Northeast Region ➊ ➋ November 2012 Jessica Shone with Livingstone III; Dylan with Hope V; Samuel with Proton; Annmarie with Domino III; Cynthia with Gio II; James with Kouz; Wayne with Jan III; Nelyn with Rookie III; Heather with Fernando Southeast Region ➌ November 2012 Chelsea & Heather with Danger; Adele Moses; Ashlee, Ethalia, Brian & Michael with Renzo; Joshua & Jennifer with Hagrid; Mari Johnson; Kim with Pavlov; Amy with Slate; Chase with Bonsai; Lori Lindsay; Barb with Gillian ➋ ➌ Our Mission in Action We hope you’ll be able to join us this year California you can attend the celebrations on for our Team Training Graduation and Puppy May 17th, August 16th, and November 8th. Matriculation Ceremonies across the country. In Medford, New York, Delaware, Ohio, Oceanside, Califorina and Santa Rosa, The Companion Spring 2013 In Orlando, Florida please join us on May 18th, August 16th, and November 8th. Visit cci.org for more details! 15 Board Members Officers Anne Gittinger Chair, Seattle, WA John Miller, Vice Chair Garden City, NY Jean Schulz Executive Secretary Santa Rosa, CA John McKinney Treasurer Healdsburg, CA John Hopen Sebastopol, CA Carolyn Hrach Pittsburgh, PA Chris Kittredge Santa Rosa, CA Jill Leverton, MD Napa, CA Dr. Pauline Parry San Mateo, CA Rob Patterson Members Madison, NJ Joann Elliott Naperville, IL Peter Pergolis, ex officio East Williston, NY John Elliott Naperville, IL Nancy Sawhney Sacramento, CA Carlene Garner Tacoma, WA Robert Solon Cordillera, CO Barrie Graham Novato, CA Dennis Sproule Fullerton, CA Mel Gottleib Double Bay, Australia Bob Street Colorado Springs, CO Russ Gurevitch Penngrove, CA William White Winter Park, FL Leslie Hennessy Colorado Springs, CO Emily Williams Santa Rosa, CA CEO Corey Hudson, Santa Rosa, CA Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PA I D By Canine Companions for Independence PO Box 446 Santa Rosa, CA 95402-0446 Address Service Requested If you receive duplicate issues, please contact us and pass extras along to friends. Honorary & Associate Board Members Judy Allen Santa Rosa, CA Jack Hanna Powell, OH Dean & Gerda Koontz Newport Beach, CA Terry Levin San Francisco, CA Madeleine Paulson Rancho Santa Fe, CA Jon Provost Santa Rosa, CA Jack Warnock San Francisco, CA Offices National Headquarters, Northwest Regional Center 2965 Dutton Avenue, PO Box 446 Santa Rosa, CA 95402-0446 (707) 577-1700 Northeast Regional Center 286 Middle Island Rd., Medford, NY 11763 (631) 561-0200 Southeast Regional Center PO Box 680388, Orlando, FL 32868-0388 (407) 522-3300 North Central Regional Center 4989 State Route 37 East, Delaware, OH 43015-9682 (740) 833-3700 Southwest Regional Center PO Box 4568, Oceanside, CA 92052-4568 (760) 901-4300 Colorado Office 126 E. Las Animas St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903 (719) 260-6151 Los Angeles Office 2312 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 (310) 446-5700 Email: [email protected] Web Site: cci.org ©2013 Canine Companions for Independence, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in USA. Canine Companions for Independence,® its logo, and Exceptional Dogs for Exceptional People® are trademarks of Canine Companions for Independence, Inc. Editor: Kendra Light-Rossing Designer: Kristen Throop, Combustion Creative What’s New Around You? 2012 was a banner year for Canine Companions and 2013 is off to a great start! Go to page 7 for what’s been happening near you. #11647