On July 4 of this year, Canine Companions for Independence celebrated its 35th birthday! That’s 35 years of helping people with disabilities achieve independence.
“Exceptional Dogs for Exceptional People”

Ten years ago, on a breezy spring afternoon, Esther opened the doors to Canine Companions for Independence in Santa Rosa, CA. “I asked myself, ‘Why was I sent to a dog place?’” she amusingly recalled. “I was referred to CCI by a placement agency,” she explained. “I had expressed interest in returning to the real estate field.” Turns out, the qualities CCI was looking for in prospective employees were a good personality coupled with a tenacious work ethic. She was hired on the spot.

Esther has a comprehensive history at CCI beginning in 1995, when she started working in administration. “I was able to see, firsthand, all of the work that goes into preparing a dog for a person with a disability.” Frequently stopping in her tracks to watch training sessions across the campus became her modus operandi. “It was then I knew I had to be involved on another level,” she said.

In 1997, Esther entered a 10-week apprentice instructor course. She completed the program and was instantaneously ushered in as Interim Breeding Program Assistant. A few months later, Esther rejoined the Training Department to continue the instructor program. At the same time, Esther decided to take on another project in raising a puppy for CCI. This would be her first puppy, Valentina.

Over the next two years, Esther created and taught puppy obedience classes, said good-bye to Valentina (who was ready to start training at CCI), and quickly welcomed a new puppy named Hilton. In January 2000, Esther completed all of the necessary requirements for promotion to CCI Instructor. Shortly thereafter Esther would advance to Northwest Puppy Program Manager, her first managerial position at CCI.

During the past six years, Esther has served as the National Breeding and Puppy Program Manager. Hers is, irrefutably, a big job, “but one that I enjoy doing each and every day,” she says. “CCI is about helping people. If every American lived by that motto, our country would be a better place.”

In addition to her professional responsibilities Esther continues to devote volunteer time to CCI. Esther is a breeder caretaker for CCI’s infamous stud dog, Baumann, and an active puppy raiser for her fourth puppy, Journey. When reflecting back to that serendipitous spring day, over a decade ago, when she cracked open the doors, Esther remarks: “Actually, I feel like my life began when I started my career at CCI.”

Stay tuned for more stories and tips from Esther!  Let us know if there is a particular training topic that you would like to learn more about.