Trained Dogs offered by Canine Companions For Independence's Regional Center

Trains dogs and offers dogs to people with disabilities.   Service dogs, hearing dogs, skilled companion dogs and facility dogs are trained primarily to help with mobility disabilities and hearing impairments.   Service dogs are used to help with mobility problems (e. g. picking up dropped items, carrying items, turning on and off light switches, pulling a person in a wheelchair up hills and curbs and offering a source of physical protection and companionship).   Hearing dogs alert people who are deaf or hard of hearing to crucial daily sounds (e. g. telephone, doorbell, baby crying, and fire alarm).   Skilled companion dogs are provided for children with disabilities, and adults with developmental disabilities, or for any situation where the supervision of a third party is required. Facility dogs work with professional caregivers in hospitals, hospices, nursing facilities, and other programs to improve the health and well-being of those in their care.    Also provides a required two-week training in California for new owners of dogs.   Coordinates and solicits volunteers to provide basic training and socialization for puppies, ages 8 weeks through 18 months.   Puppies are received from the Northwest Regional Center of Canine Companions for Independence (CCI).   Volunteers are interviewed before receiving a dog.   The following is a partial list of requirements for volunteer puppy raisers:  

• Puppy raiser must attend  approved puppy training classes and puppy must be fed according to Canine Companions specifications.
• Foster family must have an enclosed yard or kennel and foster family must agree to return puppy upon request.
• Puppy may be returned to puppy raiser when it is retired from service.
• The CCI puppy should be the only young puppy (12 months and younger) in the foster family household.

Washington 211