Lieutenant the Canine Companions Assistance Dog

01/21/2025

01/06/2025

Sometimes, I like to remind my human that I’ve got him, no matter what. Today, I put my paw on his hand—just a simple gesture to say, ‘I’m here for you, always.’ Being a service dog isn’t just about tasks; it’s about love, loyalty, and being a steady presence through life’s ups and downs. Together, we’re a team, and there’s nothing we can’t face. 🐾💙 ”

01/06/2025

Happy New Year! 🥂 Tune into the 136th annual Rose Parade TODAY at 8 a.m. PT to watch our graduate, volunteers and Lions Project for Canine Companions on their float! 🌹🌹

The Canine Companions float will be fifth in the parade order. We'll be the third float and directly after the Boys & Girls Club, most likely to be featured around 8:15 a.m. PT.

The parade starts at 8 a.m. PT, with coverage on major and cable networks. We recommend streaming the parade live on KTLA.com, the ABC affiliate. The online coverage is live and uninterrupted by commercials.

Today’s parade marks the first of many celebrations to take place throughout 2025 as we commemorate our 50th anniversary. Founded in 1975, we created the concept of what is now the modern-day .

🎉 Learn more about the history of the service dog, fun facts about us and how you can join the fun: canine.org/countdown-to-our-golden-anniversary/

12/23/2024

Meet the team that'll represent Canine Companions in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day! 🌹🌹

Steve is a retired U.S. Army sergeant who enlisted in 2004 and served in Iraq, beginning in 2005. During his time in service, he suffered numerous concussions, many from IED explosions, as well as additional injuries that affected his memory, speech and mobility.

Steve discovered Canine Companions, and he matched with his first , Gotlieb, in 2012. In the years that followed, Steve regained more independence than he thought was possible. Steve has since graduated with his second service dog, Priscilla, who will accompany him on the Rose Parade float.

The Canine Companions float will be fifth in the parade order. We'll be the third float and directly after the Boys & Girls Club, most likely to be featured around 8:15 a.m. PT.

The parade starts at 8 a.m. PT, with coverage on major and cable networks. We recommend streaming the parade live on KTLA.com, the ABC affiliate. The online coverage is live and uninterrupted by commercials.

Special thanks to Lions Clubs International and Lions Project for Canine Companions for making this opportunity possible.

➡️ Learn more by visiting: bit.ly/4gMIwlH

City of Pasadena - Public Agency

12/23/2024

12/21/2024

12/10/2024

On today’s , the Southeast Region would like to recognize Kathryn Daniel and Brion Crow from the Emerald Coast Chapter!

Kathryn first heard about Canine Companions when she was a news anchor with WEAR ABC 3 News, Pensacola, covering a story about a raiser in the Pensacola area. After covering Canine Companions in a three-part series, featuring one of our prison programs at Gadsden, Kathryn was eventually ready to puppy raise for us, raising WEAR ABC's media influencer puppy, Chappie!

Working closely with her friends at the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, Kathryn and her husband, Brion, raised their first sports influencer puppy, Watson! Kathryn and Brion not only raised Watson, but they also attended multiple games, participated in media outreach, connected with fans and players, supported players at batting practices and made office visits to engage with staff.

Since Chappie and Watson, Kathryn and Brion have raised an additional sports influencer puppies with the Blue Wahoos: Bubba! Bubba is currently in professional training and will hopefully be placed with an adult, child or veteran with a disability.

Both Kathryn and Brion love the mission of Canine Companions and the philanthropic nature of our organization. “Our local community in Pensacola is so strong and supportive,” Kathryn says. “We have learned so much about puppy raising from our seasoned volunteers in the chapter and love to be a part of this mission. We love going out into the community and getting folks involved, whether it’s with the audience at the Pensacola Blue Wahoos stadium or just around the Pensacola area.”

Additionally, the couple has been fundraising in their community to give back at Team Training, whether it's supplying Publix gift cards for our students or raising funds to sponsor a lunch. “I love giving back and building community,” says Brion. “We love meeting everyone involved during Team Training and knowing these service dogs are given free of charge to the students makes all the difference.”

Kathryn and Brion also want to thank the amazing Emerald Coast chapter for all their hard work and dedication to Canine Companions. Thank you for all that you do! 💛💙

12/05/2024

📣 Our website is back online, and we're extending the spirit of ! EVERY DOLLAR you give is automatically MATCHED up to $125,000. 🐕‍🦺 Donate now: canine.org/giveindependence24

You can provide life-changing to children, adults and veterans with disabilities - free of charge.

12/05/2024

☀️ Did you catch us on Good Morning America yesterday? Longtime puppy raisers Wendy and Tom Pascale sat down with Rocsi Diaz to share their impactful experience raising our future - with a surprise visit from special visitors!

Canine Companions that the Pascales have raised and all follow-up services are offered to children, adults and veterans with disabilities at no charge. 🐕‍🦺

Thanks to the generosity of donors who support our programs, we're able to continue to help more people in need. Will you join our cause?

🎁 Help gift transformational human-canine partnerships this holiday season. Every dollar you give is automatically MATCHED up to $125,000.

➡️ Donate Now: tiny.cc/canine

Watch on GMA3: What You Need To Know to catch the segment: https://bit.ly/3VpbKP1

12/03/2024

is TOMORROW! Gift greater independence this holiday season - so more children, adults and with disabilities can lead lives with bigger confidence, joy and love. 🐕‍🦺

💙 Double Your Impact now: secure.qgiv.com/for/thegiftofindependence/

EVERY DOLLAR you give is automatically MATCHED up to $125,000!

GivingTuesday

11/13/2024

❤️ Will you help provide greater kindness and independence? Raising Nashi impacted Robert, an incarcerated handler, in a life-changing way. So much so that he donated his hard-earned $100 to Canine Companions with a letter:

"Having been given the privilege and honor of helping to raise the wonder dog Nashi on her path to becoming a service dog for her forever human, Hunter, I wanted to express my feelings in a more tangible manner by donating a relatively small pittance to Canine Companions to be used by you in whatever way, shape or form you deem necessary and/or appropriate."

🐾 Will you take this opportunity to match Robert's contribution?

➡️ Donate to show your support: canine.org/100match

Every dollar you give helps more individuals in prison experience this incredible opportunity to give back and feel love - to ultimately provide to children, adults and veterans with disabilities.

11/11/2024

This , you can make twice the difference. 💪 Help match veterans with who can help them lead their lives with greater independence.
➡️ Donate now: canine.org/veteransday

Every dollar you give automatically DOUBLES up to $55K - so you can make TWICE the difference to more veteran teams like April and Rhapsody:

At 17 years old, April Duckson-Jackson was full of hope that joining the military would set her on a positive path. However, the realities of sexual harassment and assault in military ranks left April with invisible scars – anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“I went from being optimistic and overachieving to an insecure and discouraged young woman,” April says. She hoped to be free of the trauma left by her time in service.

Her optimism wasn’t misplaced – April recently gained a new “battle buddy” in Canine Companions Rhapsody.

Rhapsody is trained to interrupt April’s anxiety, redirecting her and letting April know she’s safe. Though April describes living with PTSD like a prison in her head, Rhapsody is helping her finally regain her freedom. “Now, I’m eagerly thinking of things I can do, instead of feeling like everything’s impossible.” ❤️

$25 = Becomes $50 DONATION
Can provide service dog vests to our canine teams.

$50 = Becomes $100 DONATION
Can provide one month of food for a dog in professional training.

$100 = Becomes $200 DONATION
Can provide expert medical and wellness care for a Canine Companions dog.

$500 = Becomes $1,000 DONATION
Can provide dedicated follow-up services to support the human-canine team.

➡️ Make a difference: canine.org/veteransday

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs U.S. Army

11/09/2024