Canine Companions For Independence
Founded in 1975, Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) pioneered the concept of training dogs to assist people with physical disabilities other than blindness. As the program expanded, the Southwest Regional Center was opened in 1986. Minimal office space and 18 dog kennels were leased temporarily in Rancho Santa Fe, California. In 1995 the City of Oceanside donated the use of 2.37 acres of Ivey Ranch Park to CCI for a new Southwest Regional Center. Planning began for a comprehensive 10,000 square-foot, multi-purpose building with two kennel buildings, which would provide the Southwest region with its first permanent home. Con- struction was completed in January 1996. The Weingart Foundation provided a $100,000 grant towards the construction of the new Center.
The new Center has played an important role in making a difference in the lives of those with disabilities. Canine Companions help their partners reach beyond the limitations of their disabilities, "to be the best that they can be." The bond of mutual love between a CCI graduate and his or her Canine Companion is a joyous testament to the program's success.
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Reaching Beyond Limitations with Man's Best Friend
In this unique facility Canine Companions learn how to open doors, retrieve dropped items, turn light switches on and off, and many other tasks that will eventually help a person with a disability find greater independence. In addition to canine training, there is team training for disabled participants to care for their new companions.
The new facility has enabled CCI to increase program efficiency and train more Canine Companions in the Southwest Region. Before its opening, applicants wanting a Canine Companion waited up to two years. The waiting list has now been reduced from eighty to fifty applicants and the waiting period is eighteen months. CCI is now able to provide more current graduates with successor Canine Companions when their dogs age, become unable to continue working, and must retire.