WILLIAMSBURG — Kathleen Aiello and Leslie Neely are just two Williamsburg-based puppy raisers for Canine Companions, a national nonprofit that provides service dogs to the disabled, free of charge.
Canine Companions was started in 1975 in California by Bonnie Bergin, a special education teacher. On a trip to Asia, she observed people using donkeys to help individuals with disabilities navigate their environment. Leaving Asia inspired, Bergin created a similar system using Golden Retrievers and Labradors to assist people with mobility challenges.
All dogs are born in California at the organization’s breeding facility. At eight weeks, the puppies undergo their health checks before being sent across the country to six regions where they are placed with their puppy raiser. While with the puppy raiser, basic command training begins along with foundational cues and socialization.
“When you see a pup like Asher come in, he is so willy-nilly and so interested in everything going on. They are just crazed with all of the new opportunities. When you see them mature to the point that they can go into a room and stay focused with their person, and do things that they are trained to do, that’s a huge step,” Neely said.
Between 15-18 months of age, the puppies are then matriculated into the advanced training program in New York. While in the advanced program, trainers work to build upon the skills that puppy raisers teach their dogs.
While turning the dogs back over to the advanced trainers is emotional, Neely says that it is also a moment of pride.
“Giving them back is the hardest part, but knowing the people who are there, the trainers are great and the facility is wonderful. Seeing what they are capable of when they graduate and how much independence they give to their person, it’s very special,” Neely said.
Aiello, who is currently raising Sidney and co-raising Asher with Neely, noted the importance of the dogs’ work.
“The work these dogs do is life-changing to the individuals they are matched with. Imagine dropping your phone? Doesn’t sound terrible until you realize you can’t touch the ground. Or opening a cabinet or refrigerator, easy, right? Until you are navigating a wheelchair, too. How about walking through a crowd? Simple enough, until you don’t have the personal space you need to feel safe. These dogs provide fundamental acts allowing their people to be more independent,” Aiello said.
By the time the dogs graduate from advanced training and are matched with a human, they have learned 70 commands that will help their human counterpart in day-to-day life.
According to Aiello, the group could use volunteers of all kinds.
“We definitely need more puppy raisers, but we will take a volunteer in whatever their forte is. If you are great at fundraising, wonderful. If you are good at communication, it can work for us. Whatever your skillset is, we have a place for you,” Aiello said.
To mark the organization’s 50th anniversary, the Old Dominion chapter is hosting a number of Coffee and Canine events in the Williamsburg area — Aug. 5, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at 1607 Coffee, Aug. 23 at Spoke & Art Provisions (times TBD) and Sept. 9, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at The Sipping Flea — to raise awareness about Canine Companions.
September also begins National Service Dog Month.
To learn more information about Canine Companions, visit canine.org.