Satterberg Foundation

Dogs are man's best friend and sometimes a bridge to independence. People with disabilities often experience a great deal of functional and social limitation. It can be difficult to imagine being unable to perform daily tasks that most of us take for granted, such as picking up a dropped item, opening the refrigerator door or hearing the alarm clock. For many in our community this is a reality. Adding a Canine Companion to the equation changes everything. Beyond providing hope and independence to each graduate, a specially-trained dog also helps relieve the loneliness, social isolation, physical immobility and other limitations that often accompany a disabling injury or illness.

Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) provides a life-changing program and services to individuals and families. The bond between human and canine can be profound. Last year a young boy with Down Syndrome spoke a sentence for the first time talking to his dog. An adult parapalegic was able to sleep through the night for the first time in three years because of the way his dog positioned on the bed. These are only two examples of the power of a human/canine bond that cannot be measured. Satterberg Foundation sponsored a canine team, which takes two years and a skilled staff to cultivate a canine companion.

CCI dogs begin their journey when they are whelped in the homes of volunteer breeder caretakers with whom the parent dogs live. When the puppies are two months old, they are brought to the Santa Rosa, California Schulz campus that houses a fulltime veterinary staff and kennel care staff. Following examination and vaccination, the pups are placed in the homes of volunteer puppy raisers through one of CCI's five regional centers. The dogs are returned to their regional centers at approximately 14 months old and begin a six- to nine-month program of Advanced Training. They are fully trained and introduced to the people who may become their partners. The training of the person in the use of one of our dogs is called Team Training, and lasts for two very full weeks. At the end of the training, a public graduation ceremony takes place marking the beginning of a long-term relationship between person and dog and between the team and CCI. Graduates remain in touch with CCI through regular follow-up programs, workshops and reunions throughout the working life of the dog (typically 8-10 years).

For more information about CCI, visit http://www.caninecompanions.org