Fifty-six service dogs and facility dogs graduate from training February 9, paired to provide greater independence to people with disabilities.
Love is in the air this month, and for national nonprofit Canine Companions, it’s the unconditional love of a dog. On Friday, February 9, at six training centers across the country, tails will wag and happy tears will fall as 56 service dogs and facility dogs graduate from training and find their purpose – providing greater independence and a lifetime of love to people with disabilities.
Canine Companions graduation ceremonies represent the culmination of hard work, heart and the generous spirit of thousands of people. Witness the magical moment when volunteers ceremoniously pass the leash of the dog they raised to the person whose life they helped change forever. It’s a labor of love roughly two years in the making, and provided at no cost to adults, children and veterans with disabilities.
These graduating service and facility dogs are expertly trained in more than 45 skills, such as retrieving dropped items, opening doors, pulling a wheelchair and so much more that will ultimately enhance independence for the individuals who are about to cross the stage.
Join the graduation celebrations online or in person by visiting canine.org/graduation.
- Southeast Region Graduation – 9 a.m. ET
- Serving Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi and Alabama
- Northeast Region Graduation – 12:30 p.m. ET
- Serving New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, West Virginia, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine
- North Central Region Graduation – 1 p.m. ET
- Serving Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Western Pennsylvania
- South Central Region Graduation – 12 p.m. CT
- Serving Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas
- Southwest Region Graduation – 12 p.m. PT
- Serving Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Southern California, Southern Nevada and Hawaii
- Northwest Region Graduation – 12:30 p.m. PT
- Serving Northern California, Northern Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Alaska
Help Canine Companions lead with love and make more partnerships with expertly trained service dogs possible at canine.org/leadwithlove. Donations are matched dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000!
###
About Canine Companions:
Canine Companions is leading the service dog industry so our clients and their dogs can live with greater independence. Canine Companions provides service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities and facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice and educational settings at no cost to clients. Established in 1975, Canine Companions has six regions across the country serving all 50 states. Learn more at canine.org.