Enhancing Independence 

Canine Companions enhances the lives of children, adults and veterans with disabilities by providing expertly trained service dogs at no cost. Our dogs are trained to assist with daily tasks to provide independence and confidence. A student achieves their dreams of attending college. A veteran gets a good night's sleep. A patient can endure an additional procedure. Lives are transformed after being matched and working with a Canine Companions service dog.

Brooks and Service Dog Whitley

Brooks grew up in Washington, extremely active in the outdoors of the Pacific Northwest: playing football, camping, hiking, fishing and hunting. During a trip to the Columbia River with friends in 2016, Brooks dove from a boat, unaware that the dam had released excessive amounts of water during the week, creating a shallow canal in the sand of the riverbed invisible from above. The dive caused a spinal cord injury, leaving Brooks with quadriplegia and loss of use of his hands. Brooks still leads a very active lifestyle from his electric wheelchair, with an expertly trained service dog by his side.

In August of 2022, Brooks was matched, free of charge, with Service Dog Whitley. Whitley is expertly trained to pick up dropped items, open and close doors and drawers, turn on and off lights and has even learned five new tasks to better help Brooks. “Picking up dropped items is the biggest thing she does, and she gets so excited when she gets to do it. Her tail is always wagging,” Brooks shares. “When we’re out in public, she pushes all the automatic push plates to help me easily get into buildings.”

Brooks feels safe and secure with Whitley by his side. “I don’t have to rely on other people to help. I’m never worried about dropping my phone or wallet in public.” He continues, “Life with Whitley has so far exceeded my expectations of what I thought it could be.”

Megan and Service Dog Pumpkin

Megan lives in Washington with her husband and two stepchildren. Trauma Megan experienced during her time in the National Guard left her with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and she applied for a service dog to help her.

Megan was matched free of charge with Canine Companions Service Dog Pumpkin, who is trained in more than 45 tasks to help mitigate her PTSD symptoms. Pumpkin interrupts Megan’s dissociating behaviors to help keep her present and grounded, performs “front” and “back” commands, providing more physical space for her in public and more commands designed to mitigate her symptoms of PTSD. Pumpkin even intuitively lays on her bathroom floor whenever she showers so Megan feels safe in a place that is extremely triggering for her.

Megan shares, “I went from not being able to leave my house three to four days out of the week. Then Pumpkin comes along, and I think maybe the world isn’t so scary.”

Kristen and Facility Dog Olaf

Child Life Specialist Kristen Bishop worked on her own for seven years before receiving a new four-legged partner that would forever change the way she provides care. Facility Dog Olaf knows 45 tasks to help Kristen in her work with young patients at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma, Washington.

Olaf excels at using skills like tugging and pushing to interact with children by “playing games” that are actually integral to therapeutic goals. Kristen shares, “Helping kids be successful in their medical care is my job as a child life specialist, and Olaf really enhances what I’m able to do.” She continues, “When I walk into a room with Olaf, I see a dramatic change in our patients’ demeanor. There are even a few patients who will only undergo treatments if Olaf is there.”

“It’s been incredible to see the impact Olaf makes. He’s a very important part of our team.” Kristen continues, “There’s a magic about Olaf. He motivates our patients in a way that humans aren’t capable of.”

Canine Companions has placed more than 7,600 service dogs, but hundreds of people with disabilities are still waiting for their match. Your DogFest fundraising efforts support this important mission – get started today!

Learn more about Canine Companions at canine.org. 

About Service Dogs

DogFest is a day to celebrate the joy that all dogs bring to our lives, whether working dogs or loving pets. But did you know that service dogs have different access rights and roles than pets do?

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs are legally allowed to go almost anywhere with their handler, even where pets cannot. This means you may see them out and about in your community. Remember that they have a job to do. Often, handlers welcome questions and enjoy interacting with the public, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

Click here to learn more about Service Dog etiquette.

We encourage you to meet some of our Canine Companions clients and their service dogs at DogFest, and remember these important tips!

Register yourself and your pups for DogFest to receive your free bandana and join the fun!