Canine Assistants - July 2005 Charity-of-the-Month
 |
 |
Canine Assistants is a non-profit organization, founded in 1991, which trains and provides service dogs for children and adults with physical disabilities or other special needs.
In addition to physically assisting those with disabilities, Canine Assistants service dogs are instrumental in removing many of the barriers faced by the disabled in today's society.
Canine Assistants, Inc.
3160 Francis Road
Alpharetta, Georgia 30004
tel: 1-770-664-7178
tollfree tel: 1-800-771-7221
fax: 1-770-664-7820
email: info@canineassistants.org
web: http://www.canineassistants.org/
ASSISTANCE DOGS - Bringing Great Dogs and Special People Together…
SERVICE DOGS
Canine Assistants service dogs assist children and adults with physical disabilities or other special needs in a variety of ways. Some of the tasks our dogs perform include turning lights on and off, opening and closing doors, pulling wheelchairs, retrieving dropped objects, summoning help, and providing secure companionship. While all of these functions are vitally important in helping a person obtain greater freedom, perhaps the most impressive gift our dogs provide is social, rather than physical, in nature. The dogs eliminate feelings of fear, isolation, and loneliness felt by their companions. One Canine Assistants recipient made the value of this gift quite clear when asked by a reporter what she liked most about her service dog. Immediately, she responded, "My dog makes my wheelchair disappear."
Most Canine Assistants service dogs are born, raised, and trained at our facility in Alpharetta, Georgia, while some are occasionally adopted from local organizations or breeders. The majority of our service dogs are retrievers, including both goldens and labradors.
COMPANION DOGS
Like service dogs, companion dogs also serve to assist children and adults with physical disabilities or other special needs. Companion dogs work primarily in a recipient's home, assisting with tasks around the house and more importantly, contributing to the emotional well being of the person.
 |
SEIZURE RESPONSE DOGS
In addition to service dogs and companion dogs, Canine Assistants also trains and provides seizure response dogs for certain recipients. As with some of our service dogs, these dogs are adopted from various organizations and selectively screened for personality, temperament, and general health. Following general training, seizure response dogs are trained to perform one of the following behaviors, depending on the recipient's need: remain next to the person during the course of a seizure, summon help in a controlled environment, or retrieve a phone prior to the seizure when indicated by the recipient. Certain dogs may even develop the ability to predict and react in advance to an oncoming seizure once they are placed with their recipient.
A LESSON IN CARING…
One of our primary missions is to educate both children and adults about disabilities and the role that service dogs play in society, in addition to the important health benefits, both physical and emotional, that they provide for our recipients.
K-9 KIDS READING PROGRAM (Limited to the Atlanta area)
Tails are wagging at the success of K-9 Kids! As part of our motivational reading program, Canine Assistants service dogs and representatives visit several schools throughout the metro Atlanta area each week during the school year to listen to the children read. Children who are uncomfortable reading in front of their peers for fear that they might make a mistake are quite at ease reading in front of a dog. Dogs are both supportive and nurturing and give children the confidence to overcome challenges in reading. In addition to overall academic achievement, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence in reading skyrocket with the help of the dogs.
 |
For more information about our K-9 Kids Reading Program, please contact:
Dr. Melissa Loree, Director of Education
email: melissaloree@canineassistants.org
GENERAL INFORMATION
* All dogs are placed at no cost to recipients.
* Applicants are evaluated on an individual basis. Your position on our waiting list will be based on this evaluation, not the date your application was received. Please note, however, that there is currently a waiting list for our dogs.
* Each dog is provided with veterinary care and recurrent training for life. Dog food can also be provided if needed.
* Once selected to receive a service dog, applicants may need to wait for several months while the dog completes his or her training. Once the dog is ready to graduate, you will be required to come to our facility to participate in a two week training camp. At this time, applicants will be matched with the dog that best suits his or her needs and personality. If necessary, Canine Assistants can provide financial aid to cover the expenses associated with attending the training camp, such as travel, meals, and lodging.
 |
LOCAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (Limited to the Atlanta area)
Volunteers play an important role in our day-to-day operations, as well as with special events. We could not do what we do without the help of our wonderful volunteers!
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (NOAH'S TEAM)
& CANINE ASSISTANTS SPECIAL EDUCATORS (C.A.S.E.)
National Volunteer Program (Noah's Team)
Canine Assistants is pleased to announce that our volunteer program is now national! Our National Volunteer Program, also called "Noah's Team", will enable interested individuals in various cities throughout the country to become involved with Canine Assistants and play an important role in supporting our organization while educating those in their own communities about service dogs.
For more information, please contact Sue Harrison at:
email: sueharrison@canineassistants.org
DONATIONS
General donations to our program are greatly appreciated and accepted at any time. Donations can also be made "in honor of" and "in memory of" a close family member, friend, colleague, or pet. Following receipt of a donation, a commemorative card will be sent to the honored individual, and a receipt will be sent to the donor.
In kind contributions are also greatly appreciated. Popular items include, but are not limited to: cleaning supplies, paper towels, tennis balls, towels. Individuals or businesses interested in donating goods or services are welcome as well.
For more information or questions pertaining to a donation or in kind contribution, please contact:
Tib Holland - Director of Development
tel: 1-770-664-7178
fax: 1-770-664-7820
email: tibholland@canineassistants.org
 |
DOG TEAM SPONSORSHIPS
Service dog or seizure dog team sponsorships are instrumental in providing the necessary care (general and veterinary) and training that our dogs require while at our facility. Should you or your organization choose to sponsor a dog team, you will receive information about your dog and his or her recipient. You will also be invited to attend a training camp graduation ceremony, where you can meet the dog and his or her recipient in person. Needless to say, it is quite a rewarding experience to witness a dog and recipient receiving their diplomas together!
| |
Canine Assistants, Inc.
3160 Francis Road
Alpharetta, Georgia 30004
tel: 1-770-664-7178
tollfree tel: 1-800-771-7221
fax: 1-770-664-7820
email: info@canineassistants.org
web: http://www.canineassistants.org/
Charity.com. A project provided by Cowabunga, Inc. All rights reserved.
See Terms of Use for Legal Information
Registered trademarks shown on this website are owned entirely by their respective owners.
