North Central Training Center

Canine Companions North Central Region has been enhancing the lives of children, adults and veterans with disabilities since 1987. The North Central Regional Training Center, located just outside of Columbus in New Albany, OH,  serves 13 and a half states: everything west of Pittsburgh, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. The North Central Region also serves our graduate teams living in eastern Canada.

2022 was a record breaking year for the North Central Region. We are truly grateful to our clients, volunteers, donors and staff for moving our mission forward in the following ways:

• An impressive 61 new teams were placed throughout the North Central Region in 2022.
• Currently, 484 active graduate teams reside in the region. 
• Over 98% of graduate placements are successful.
• Currently, 183 Canine Companions puppies are being raised across the North Central Region.
• Close to 600 volunteers helped share the story of Canine Companions across the North Central region.
• DogFest North Central 2022 was a record breaking success, raising over $446,000. This event engaged volunteers and donors across the region for a day full of celebration.
• We shared our mission with more than 134 million people in more than 301 media stories across the region in 2022.
• Received six new proclamations celebrating National Service Dog Month in our region. 

**Canine Companions is closely monitoring developments with the coronavirus (COVID-19). We are taking precautions to limit its effect on our operations, including cancelling, postponing or going virtual with our events and non-essential activities, including most travel, public campus tours and on-campus large group activities. Our campus is currently non open to the public at this time. Please be patient with us as we reschedule appointments and activities. We look forward to being able to see you and serve you in our usual fashion as soon as possible!**

North Central Region Staff:
Kathy Boger, Office Manager | Meredith Harrison, Community Events Coordinator | Matt Levering, Senior Development Director |  Melissa McCracken, Volunteer Coordinator | Bethany Simms, Development Associate | Nancy Whetstone, Development Director, Donor & Corporate Engagement | Emily Oliver, Public Relations & Marketing Coordinator

Gwen Dudek, Program Director/Senior Instructor | Eric Fatka, Graduate Program Manager/Senior Instructor | Erin Rich, Applicant Program Manager/Instructor | Suzanne Sliclen, Puppy Program Manager/Senior Instructor | Auggie Garcia, Facilities Manager | Trisha Wilhelm, Caretaker |  Adrena Spreacker, Training Manager/Senior Instructor | Tonya Halford, Senior Instructor | Colleen McBride, Instructor | Sophia DaCunha, Apprentice Instructor | Nina Hoeppner, Puppy Program Assistant | Zach Frye, Apprentice Instructor | Natalie Koeritzer, Apprentice Instructor | Jenn Smith, Apprentice Instructor | Sara Miller, Kennel Supervisor | Renae Gerchow, Apprentice Instructor| Christie Heyes, Kennel Technician | Joel Lorenz, Kennel Technician | Bailey Schull, Kennel Technician |  Marvin Brinkley, Kennel Technician | Jordan Lundin, Kennel Technician | Caroline Fredrick, Kennel Technician 

North Central Region Board of Directors:
Mike Cvengros, President | Todd Bailey | Tom Clements | Kevin Cullen, Colonel, USAF |  Nancy Goldsmith | Mike Jarvis | Carolyn Hrach |  Lisa Morgan | Nancy Riggs | Rex Riggs, DVM | Peter Schwab | Ron Wuerth | John Sabo | Chad Utrup | Paulette Burks | Nicole Bainbridge  

Contact us for information about tours, presentations and more