Posted by Kendall Mattina on Jul 25, 2018
 
Canine Companions for Independence -
Training Assistance Dogs for the Disabled
 
Our speakers on Monday, July 23 were from The Valley to the Sea chapter of Canine Companions for Independence, an organization that breeds, trains and provides service dogs to disabled individuals that need dogs that can be trained to meet their exact needs. This organization does not train "Guide" dogs for the blind.
 
In the photo above are Glen Grogas with Kailua (6 year-old  black lab), Pam Williams with Sir (18 month-old yellow lab), and Ellen Grogas with Constance (5 month-old black lab puppy). Ellen is a "Puppy Raiser." Her job is to take puppies and train them in a set of basic skills and care for them until they are old enough to move on to their "professional" training.
 
For more information the chapter can be contacted through the parent organization: cci.org.