Canine Companions for Independence – a national non-profit organization providing highly trained assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities – is proud to announce that Green Brook, New Jersey resident Mike Saverino has recently received his second assistance dog from Canine Companions for IndependenceMike was matched with Webster, a two-year-old yellow lab/ golden retriever cross who has been trained to respond to over 40 advanced commands. Mike’s first Canine Companions assistance dog Akirra retired earlier this year after 8 years of loving service. His new dog Webster is aptly taking over right where Akirra left off. Webster can turn light switches on and off, open and close doors and retrieve dropped objects. However, one of his most important jobs will be to provide constant companionship for Mike.
Mike and Webster returned to Green Brook after completing Canine Companion’s recent Team Training Class, an intense, two-week course held at Canine Companion’s Northeast Regional Center in Medford, NY – one of six such centers nationwide. The Northeast Regional Center serves a 13- state area from Maine to Virginia.
Each student who attends Team Training – held at each center four times a year – is paired with a fully trained, working assistance dog like Webster, and is taught to work with his/her canine companion. The training course consists of daily lectures, exams, practice and public outings.
Mike and Webster are settling into a routine back in Green Brook. Mike says, “Webster is a very special dog and I hope to have many wonderful years with him.”
About Canine Companions for Independence: Canine Companions for Independence is the largest non-profit provider of trained assistance dogs with six regional training centers across the country, including CA, FL, OH, NY and TX, and has placed over 5,000 assistance dogs. Established in 1975, Canine Companions provides highly trained assistance dogs to children, adults and veterans with disabilities and is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs, and the quality and longevity of the matches it makes between people and dogs. There is no charge for the dog, its training and on-going follow-up services. For more information, visit www.cci.org or call 1-800-572-BARK.
(above) Saverino and Webster IV.
