SOUTHEAST REGION FACTS:

• Founded in 1989 in Orlando, FL
• First Team Training held in Southeast Region in October 1995
• Southeast Regional Training Center opened July 4, 2000.
• 204 active Southeast Region graduate teams
• 326 graduate teams placed since 1989
• 130 Southeast Region puppy raisers
• 600 Southeast Region volunteers
• Team Training Classes scheduled for 2008:
  
  May 12-24, 2008
  August 4-16, 2008
  November 3-15, 2008

Our PRESENTATIONS GUIDELINES MANUAL is available for download in pdf format.  Children will enjoy learning about Canine Companions for Independence with our CHILDREN'S ACTIVITY BOOK, available for download in pdf format.

FAQS/FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q. What is Canine Companions for Independence?
Canine Companions for Independence is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships.

Q. What types of assistance dogs does Canine Companions for Independence train?

Service Teams - People with physical and/or developmental disabilities who work with a Canine Companion to enhance their ability to perform practical tasks such as retrieving dropped items, opening doors, and turning on and off light switches.

Hearing Teams - Adults who are hard of hearing or deaf who use a Canine Companion to alert them to everyday sounds such as telephones, alarm clocks, and smoke alarms.

Skilled Companion Teams - Adults and children with disabilities who benefit from the social, interactive, and functional commands of a Canine Companion. This type of placement increases the communication, range of motion, and interactive skills of some recipients.

Facility Teams - Adults who work as professional care givers, educators, or in other settings that can utilize a Canine Companion to improve the mental, physical, or emotional health of individuals, young and old, in those settings.

Q. What does it cost to receive a Canine Companion?
There is no charge to our graduates for the substantial costs involved in breeding, raising and training a Canine Companions for Independence Assistance dog or for the ongoing follow-up services provided to each team after graduation.

Q. How is Canine Companions for Independence funded?
Canine Companions for Independence is funded by private contributions; gifts from businesses, civic groups, and service clubs; grants from corporations and foundations; and ongoing fundraising activities such as special events and mailings. Canine Companions for Independence receives no government funding.

Q. Where does the money go?
Canine Companions for Independence is proud that 83.5 cents of every dollar spent goes directly to program services.  These services include breeding and puppy raising, canine and participant training, graduate follow up, public information and veterinary care.  There is no charge to individuals or families for these services.

Q. Who is eligible to apply for a Canine Companion?
People with physical or developmental disabilities who can demonstrate that a Canine Companion will enhance their independence or their quality of life are qualified to apply. Also eligible are professionals working for organizations that provide physical or mental health care to clients who will benefit from interaction with a facility dog.

Q. What is the application procedure?
Contact the regional center nearest you and ask for an application information packet. This packet includes an overview of Canine Companions for Independence's team programs and an Application Request Form that you need to complete to be considered for an assistance dog. The applicant coordinator in your region will review your completed request and assist you throughout the application process.

Q. What are the responsibilities of the person or facility receiving a Canine Companion?
Each candidate must successfully complete a two-week educational course at the regional center designed to match the person and dog and to prepare them to work together successfully. Each candidate is also responsible for the proper care, feeding, housing, and medical needs of the canine. The dog must be used in the working capacity for which it was intended.

Q. What breeds of dogs does Canine Companions for Independence use?
Canine Companions for Independence uses Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and crosses of these two breeds. Most of our dogs come from Canine Companions for Independence's selective breeding program. Occasionally, donated puppies are accepted if they meet the strict qualification requirements.

Q. Where are Canine Companions for Independence dogs trained?
Canine Companions for Independence puppies are raised by volunteers who take them to puppy classes and teach them in-house manners and public etiquette. When they are old enough to enter our formal training program, Canine Companions for Independence dogs come to one of our five regional training centers.

Q. How long does each Canine Companion work?
The average service life of each dog is eight years. After that time the dog is retired and will live out its golden years as a pet.

Southeast Regional Center
Canine Companions for Independence
8150 Clarcona Ocoee Road - Orlando, FL 32818
PO Box 680388 - Orlando, FL 32868-0388
Phone 407-522-3300/Fax 407-522-3347

Southeast Regional Center Staff:

Margaret S. Ager, Executive Director

Holly Stevens, Southeast Region Development Director
Patrice Shields, Southeast Region Development Associate

Cathy Rodgers, Southeast Region Development Associate

Lori Lindsay, Southeast Region Program Manager
Melinda Sowers, Southeast Region Applicant Program Manager

Ed Burger, Southeast Region Puppy Program Manager
Monie Buchanan, Southeast Region Apprentice Instructor
Mari Costea, Southeast Region Apprentice Instructor
Summer Brown, Southeast Region Apprentice Instructor

Emily Herrod, Southeast Region Apprentice Instructor

Jennifer Hanes, Southeast Region Apprentice Instructor
Holly King, Southeast Region Apprentice Instructor

Anita Boyle, Southeast Region Kennel Manager
Mary Kaup, Southeast Region Kennel Technician

Elizabeth Deslauriers, Southeast Region Kennel Technician

Fredline Dasque, Southeast Region Office Manager

Kim Mansfield , Southeast Region Administrative Assistant

Kathleen Maibauer, Southeast Region Administrative Assistant
Cathy Von Hemmerle, Southeast Region Dorm/Campus Caretaker

Robert Whiting, Southest Region Facility Manager

Southeast Region Board of Directors:
Nancy Baumann, President - Heathrow, FL

Dave Gordon – Vice President - Orlando, FL

H. Charles Green, Jr., Secretary - Maitland, FL
Duane Compronsky, Treasury  – Orlando, FL
Fonda Cerenzio, Past President - Orlando, FL

Andrea Batchelor - Orlando, FL
Michael G. Gaich, Immediate Past President - Merritt Island, FL
Nick Heldreth - Melbourne, FL

Steven Kanner – Boca Raton, FL

Cathy Kerns - Orlando, FL
Doug Kessler – Kennesaw, GA

Vince LaRuffa – Orlando, FL

Moody McCall – Jacksonville, FL

Christine O’Neal – Orlando, FL

Frank Santos - Orlando, FL
Bill Sarantis - Pompano Beach, FL
Gregory Slemp, Esq., Ocoee, FL

Jimmie Smith - Melbourne, FL

Andrew Toxey – Orlando, FL

William R. White III, Vice President - Orlando, FL

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