Enhancing Independence

As we celebrate 50 years of Canine Companions, we remain dedicated to enhancing the lives of children, adults and veterans with disabilities by providing expertly trained service dogs at no cost. Our service dogs are trained to assist with daily tasks, offering independence and confidence to those in need. Whether it's a student achieving their dream of attending college, a veteran getting a restful night’s sleep, or a patient enduring an additional procedure, lives are transformed when matched with a Canine Companions service dog.

Tyler and Facility Dog Nash

Facility Dog Nash has become something of a local celebrity at Seattle Children’s Hospital, where his name echoes through the halls and both staff and patients eagerly await the comforting sight of his long, golden fur as he makes his way through the hospital.

Tyler, an inpatient rehabilitation social worker who helps kids work through life-changing diagnosis’ at Seattle Children’s, decided to apply for a facility dog through Canine Companions after seeing the incredible ways dogs support patients at a hospital she worked at before moving to Seattle. When the Puget Sound Field Office opened shortly after her move, she saw it as her sign to apply for a facility dog that could enhance the work she does with children.

Nash brightens patients’ days by assisting in their physical therapies, allowing them to clean his paws, brush his teeth and groom his fur, which in turn gives them an opportunity to work on improving their fine motor skills. Even the simple gesture of performing the “lap” or “visit” cue of applying pressure to a child in distress can take them from being in the middle of a meltdown, to calm and ready to take on the task at hand.

“He has the ability to melt anyone, it’s hard to look at Nash and still be sad. He’s the best distraction for both patients and staff going through a hard time,” said Tyler

Nash utilizes skills to make life even a little bit more enjoyable for children experiencing some of the hardest times of their lives. Nash improved the morning routine of a young cancer patient by making her bed with her every morning. Tyler would tell him “get,” to retrieve the bed sheets from the closet, “sit,” to wait until the patient grabbed them from him, and “tug,” to pull the sheets to each corner of the bed until it was fully made.

Tyler shared that she often motivates patients by saying “If Nash can do it, so can you.”

Nash has brought so much love to Seattle Children’s Hospital since being matched with Tyler, and will continue to help reduce anxiety, promote participation in therapies and support emotional well-being for the children he serves.

Since our inception, Canine Companions has placed over 8,000  service dogs. Yet, hundreds of individuals with disabilities are still waiting for their very own perfect match. Your fundraising efforts through DogFest play a crucial role in supporting this mission and helping us extend our reach to those in need.

Get started today, and help make a difference, as we mark 50 years of transforming lives!

Learn more about Canine Companions at canine.org.

National Service Dog Month

DogFest is our  signature event, taking place in cities across the country. We hold DogFest in or around September to celebrate National Service Dog Month—a time dedicated to honoring the hard work and life-changing impact that service dogs have every day on people with disabilities .  Together, let’s celebrate five decades of remarkable achievements and  life-changing impacts we’ve made and will continue to make in the future! 

Click here to learn more about National Service Dog Month!

About Service Dogs

DogFest is a day to celebrate the joy that all dogs bring to our lives, from working dogs to beloved pets. Did you know that service dogs have specific access rights and roles that differ from those of pets?

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs are legally allowed to accompany their handlers almost anywhere, including places where pets aren’t  permitted. While you might see them out and about in the community, remember that service dogs are working and have important tasks to perform. Handlers often welcome questions and interaction, but keep in mind a few essential etiquette tips.

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 to keep these important tips in mind!

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