CCI matched me with Inga, a plump, yellow Labrador retriever puppy.  Inga was just eight weeks old when I picked her up from the CCI regional center in Delaware, OH. A couple of weeks of enjoying puppy breath and frito feet, then it was down to business.  You can see in the below picture that Inga is getting into a little bit of trouble…

Obedience training begins early for CCI puppies. Because of CCI’s specialized breeding program, the puppies are remarkably smart, with confident, calm personalities. Inga turned out to be a breeze to train. At times, after I introduced a behavior to her, she would look at me as if to say, “I already knew that one.  I just didn’t know what you were going to call it.”

Training Required

Puppy raisers are asked to introduce the dog to 30 behavior commands, including the basics like sit and down, as well as more advanced behaviors such as toileting on command. However, the most critical job of a puppy raiser is the socialization of the dog. These dogs need to be solid and dependable in any public situation and the puppy’s first year is the best time for exposure to new environments.  In addition to the daily office work, Inga goes to wherever a person may want to go. 

Her visits have included 

• Restaurants
• Grocery Stores
• Shopping Malls
• Movie Theatres
• Doctor’s offices
• Museums
• Baseball Games

She’s an ambassador for CCI and has done herself proud each and every time we’ve been out in public.

I may be stating the obvious by saying, that there is no way to be invisible if you’re in the grocery with a dog. Being a low-key and rather shy person, this is hands-down the most difficult of part of puppy raising for me. It takes some getting used to, this center-of-attention business. But really, I do love the questions I get from folks.  I enjoy talking about the CCI program and what these incredible dogs can do for people.

Common Questions

Of the different questions, the one we hear most often is “how can you give her up?”  The easy answers I throw out there is that “we begin with the end in mind” or “she’s not my dog, she belongs to CCI.”  But that’s too simple. The real answer is that I have been given an opportunity to do something that will impact a person’s life in a profound way.  Folks who are teamed with these skilled service dogs achieve a new level of independence, both inside and outside their homes. A child in a wheelchair is transformed into that kid with the cool dog. My part in this whole thing is small, but it is pretty wonderful.  And you know what else?  I get a new puppy every 14 months.  Now that’s just wicked cool on its own. 

Inga Leaves the Nest

I’m not sure how this happened, but all of a sudden my 14 months of puppy raising the lovely Inga is over.  It’s time for her to move back to the CCI regional center and begin her advanced training.  I take a deep breath every time I think about this, but the state of denial is getting harder to maintain as we get closer to her turn-in date. So here’s my happy place thoughts right now. . . I’m going to send her off to college. We’ve had some really great fun and I wouldn’t trade the last year for anything.  She’s grown her wings so she can fly out of my nest. Her destiny is bigger than just me. I know that and I’m a proud mom. I feel pretty good that I’ve done the best I could.

This should be enough of a happy ending, I think. But there’s more I have to tell. We’re all signed up to do this all over again.  We have another little yellow fur-shedding machine coming in a couple of weeks. And don’t you know, I can hardly wait.

Stay tuned for more updates about Donna’s latest CCI puppy.

Sending my kid off to college this past year was tough.  I knew I would miss his companionship, the sound of his laughter, and the excitement (i.e. drama) that his presence brought to the household.  I even missed the dirty dishes and smelly socks that seemed to grow from the carpet itself.  But as any empty nester could tell you, it is refreshingly wonderful to focus on my own hobbies again. No mistake now – I adore my son and wouldn’t trade the last 18 years for anything.  I had a great time hosting birthday parties and going to band concerts.  I’m a proud mom and feel pretty good that I did the best I could for this kid of mine.  But he’s grown his wings and has flown from my nest. Truth be told, it’s more like he learned to fly after a teensy push from momma bird’s foot while he was looking over the edge of the nest.  If you’ve had the pleasure of a teenager in your house, chances are you know where I’m coming from.

So now back to my own life. For some time, I had wanted to get involved with Canine Companions for Independence. CCI is an awesome non-profit organization that trains and provides skilled service dogs to people with disabilities. I was first inspired by friends who were longtime volunteer puppy raiser for this organization.  Then two of my co-workers became CCI puppy raisers. I watched as several beautiful pups grew up and moved on to their dog destinies. And so finally, after sending the kid off to college, it became my turn and I contacted CCI about signing up as a volunteer puppy raiser. It seemed like a perfect fit – I love dogs, I work in a pet-friendly office, and now I even have a newly vacated spare bedroom. It’s all good.

We would love to hear your comments/stories about your involvement with CCI or other service dog organizations.