Canine Companions

Congratulations to our college raising club at University of Central Arkansas for winning the university's 2026 Student Organization of the Year award!🏆🎉

Our puppy raisers make a life-changing impact for people with disabilities, and we're so proud of this special recognition of the hard work and love they pour into our future . 💛

🔗Learn more about our college puppy raising programs: https://bit.ly/3ULymt8

When our graduate, Chrissy, was only 5 years old, she survived a horrific housefire that took the lives of her two sisters and her grandmother.

More than 85% of her body was covered in burns, requiring a quadruple amputation - but Chrissy survived.

Now partnered with Huey, Chrissy lives a life dedicated to serving others. As the vice president of the Canine Companions Northern Ohio Volunteer Chapter, Chrissy advocates for others with disabilities, who could receive the same life-changing support that Huey provides her. 💙💛

"Having a very physical and visual disability, a lot of the attention is usually negative," Chrissy says. "Now that I have him, he kind of gets all the attention."

Chrissy is also a volunteer handler for our , Triton. Together, they bring joy and comfort to those at the adult day center where she volunteers.

"Even if they don't make it as a service dog, they all have a purpose and they all tend to end up where they belong," Chrissy shares.

On top of her dedicated volunteerism, Chrissy represents Team USA in para driving at the Paralympic Games. After earning a bronze medal in the Netherlands in 2023, she's currently training for the 2027 world championship. She also continues to serve as a burn camp counselor at the camp where she first discovered her love of horses. 🐎

🐕‍🦺 Watch her full story from Lindsay Buckingham and WKYC Channel 3 - Cleveland news segment: bit.ly/4o0aezX

'I wouldn't have it any other way, because I'm here': Parma Heights woman who survived devastating house fire finds purpose in horses, service dogs More than 30 years after a fire cost her multiple limbs, Chrissy Aitken says 'life is good,' and she remains grateful for the doctors who saved her.

Brooks Abel experienced a diving accident in the Columbia River one day that changed his life forever - he became paralyzed from the chest down.

In 2022, his life changed again - in a positive way this time - after he matched and received our Whitley completely free of charge.💙

Brooks recently visited our Puget Sound Field Office in Seattle to share his personal journey. His biggest message is the vital need for more volunteers to raise Canine Companions future service dog . That way, more people can lead their lives with greater independence with service dogs, just as he's able to, thanks to his partnership with Whitley.🐕‍🦺

▶️ Watch the full KOMO News segment: bit.ly/3RKQPqM

🐾 Learn more about our volunteer puppy raising program: canine.org/pupvol

Critical need for puppy raisers to get service dogs to recipients faster There is a long waitlist in western Washington right now for people with disabilities who are waiting to get a service dog.

This , the South Central Region is sending a HUGE thank you to all the incredible involved in planning and executing our Sit. Stay. Sparkle. gala!✨🙌

Thanks to you, we raised nearly $300,000 and brought hundreds of people together to celebrate how Canine Companions are changing lives. Thank you for making it an evening to remember!💙

⭐Committee Members: Berkeley Campbell, Elyse Smith, Judy Eastburn, Kristy Doyle, Shelley Whiddon-Bartek, Steve Davidson, Todd Patterson and Yujia Ding

⭐Emcees: CBS News Texas Meteorologists Nelly Carreno and McKenna King

⭐Photographer: Toni Margolis

⭐Event Day: Michelle Sudduth, Elyse Smith, Lisa Schroeder, Jackie Jelen and Larry Nelson

We're already looking forward to next year! 📣📅Save the date for Sit. Stay. Sparkle. on March 6, 2027!

🐕‍🦺 Be part of our dedicated community who helps provide service dogs for people with disabilities!

✔️ Opportunities with & without dogs
🐶 No prior dog experience necessary
💻 Nationwide/remote opportunities
⏰ Ability to track volunteer hours

Join us at one of our online info sessions to get started:
-Tues., June 9, at 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET
-Tues., July 14, at 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET

➡️ Sign up: canine.org/volunteerinfosession

Canine Companions is a national nonprofit organization that provides service dogs to people with disabilities - free of charge.

We look forward to meeting you!

🐕‍🦺 Less than a month left to sponsor Berkley or Barley! 🐾 It only takes less than $1 a day to help them become successful !

Each sponsorship comes with...
✨ Exclusive magnet, certificate and more
🐶 A mini plush of your puppy
💌 Email updates about their progress

💛 Visit: canine.org/sponsorapuppy

P.S. It's a perfect gift for dads and grads, too!

🧹It's spring cleaning time! 🚗 Donate your old or unwanted vehicle to make a difference - it's FREE and simple! 🐕‍🦺 Turn your vehicle into change to provide more to people with disabilities.

Here's how it works:
1. Complete a donation form: Visit bit.ly/4brwoEl and complete a form, or call 855-500-RIDE (7433) seven days a week during regular hours of operations, and the CARS - Charitable Adult Rides and Services Vehicle Donor Support Team will walk you through the donation form.

2. Schedule your FREE pick-up: Arrange to have a licensed tow company pick up your vehicle at your convenience.

3. Receive your tax receipt: When your vehicle sells, we'll send you a thank-you letter, and CARS will send any necessary documents you need for your tax-deductible gift.

And that’s it!

🚙 For more info or to donate your vehicle: bit.ly/4brwoEl

🧡 On , we'd like to highlight our incredible team, Tammy and Service Dog Violet.

Since Tammy's diagnosis with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2005, the autoimmune disease has impacted aspects of her everyday life, including her mobility.

Although the symptoms of MS can be progressive, Tammy has found greater independence since 2014, when she graduated with her first Canine Companions Gage. 🐕‍🦺

After Gage's retirement, Tammy graduated with Service Dog Violet, who remains her steadfast partner. Like Gage, Violet allows Tammy to conserve energy through assisting with everyday tasks that can be challenging due to MS, such as picking up dropped objects and opening and closing doors.

"Because of Violet, I'm able to do more, go more places and live my life with greater independence," Tammy says.

Tammy is incredibly passionate about advocating for others with disabilities. She created our Kentucky Volunteer Chapter and works tirelessly to advocate for those with disabilities and raise funds to place more , completely free of charge to recipients. 🌟

"Being part of the Canine Companions family and the Kentucky Volunteer Chapter plays such a meaningful role in my life, and giving back through outreach has been so rewarding," Tammy shares. "I'm proud to serve as an ambassador and share our story."

As she and Violet tackle the challenges that can come with living with MS, she's quick to offer encouragement for others doing the same. 💪

"You don't have to navigate this journey alone," she explains. "Keep advocating for yourself and know that the right support, such as a life-changing service dog like Violet, can help you live life more fully."

Thank you, Tammy, for all you do to support and advocate for those with disabilities! We're so honored to have you as part of our community. 💙💛