Help is a Four-Legged Word: Is there a service dog in your future?

April 4: “Help is a Four-Legged Word: Is there a service dog in your future?"

Speakers (and dogs!) from Canine Companions for Independence will speak to the Santa Cruz County Parkinson’s Group on April 4th.
Founded in 1975, Canine Companions for Independence® is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships.
The assistance dogs that are bred, raised and aren’t just the ears, hands and legs of their human partners. They’re also goodwill ambassadors and often, their best friends. They open up new opportunities and new possibilities, and spread incredible joy. Canine Companions unites people with dogs in a powerful program that leads to greater independence and confidence.
Four types of assistance dogs are trained:
Service dogs assist adults with physical disabilities by performing daily tasks.

Hearing dogs alert their partners, who are deaf and hard of hearing, to important sounds.

Facility dogs work with clients with special needs in a visitation, education, criminal justice or health care setting.

Skilled companions enhance independence for children and adults with physical, cognitive and developmental disabilities.

Canine Companions breeds Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and a cross of the two to be assistance dogs. Volunteers care for the breeder dogs and nurture newborn puppies for eight weeks. Canine Companions puppies spend the next 14-18 months with volunteer puppy raisers who provide basic obedience training, socialization and care.

An assistance dog is a great tool for many people with disabilities, but an assistance dog is not right for everyone. Get educated on whether a highly-trained assistance dog could be a good fit for you or someone you know.

The presentation will be held at Inner Light Center, 5630 Soquel Drive, Soquel,
on April 4th, from 1:00pm to 2:30pm. There is no fee to attend. Contact Karen Williams at (831) 708-2906 for more information.