On March 29, 2012, U.S. Marine Roger Rua was awakened after a night on the road for an early patrol and was injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) within 10 seconds of opening his eyes. The experience left him with debilitating anxiety, panic attacks and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as the lingering impacts of his spinal cord injury. Roger sought help from Canine Companions and partnered with Service Dog Dixon—and started leading his new life.
On June 10, the first shovels hit the ground at the Jean and Charles Schulz Campus to kick off the construction of the new Nelson Schulz Canine Health & Wellness Center. The new building complex will host the Schulz Veterinary Hospital and the Nelson Canine Early Development Center. With completion slated for 2023, the center will increase the number of puppies we can bring into the world, helping us provide more high-quality service dogs.
When Mikayla Molien was just 12 years old, she began experiencing intense pain and swelling, and she spent three weeks at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in San Francisco. That was her first exposure to Canine Companions when doctors brought in Facility Dog Nilani to help her with her recovery. Since November 2021, she has been with Service Dog Bernie, her very own dog—and the two have been inseparable ever since.
Erica Jones was 24 years old and a successful nurse in Atlanta, Georgia when her life was turned upside down. Her boyfriend at the time left her clinging to life with a spinal cord injury, paralyzing her from the neck down. After matching with Service Dog Oso – Erica’s perfect match – her goals of living more independently became possible.
