Partnering and Changing Lives

Almost one year to the day, Service Dog Uriah met her person, Coleen.  Uriah, was selected from Hilton Head Humane Association on April 24, 2014 and trained for a year.  Having learned over 90 commands she is already helping to change Coleen's life in small and large ways. Coleen served in the United States Navy for 8 years as a Corpsman working in a gastroenterology clinic and emergency department. Coleen continued her passion for emergency work when she was assigned to the duty station Guantanamo Bay Cuba. Coleen is excited to welcome her new service dog and hopes Service Dog Uriah will bring back some normalcy in her life.  Already Coleen and Uriah have been on outings to a pet retail store and a large box store that she would never have done alone. Community Support is Key to Success Each time a service dog is partnered with their person, we are reminded of the number of people and businesses involved to achieve this success.  Service Dog Uriah was selected from Hilton Head Humane Association after they contacted our team and invited us to visit and see their dogs.  Once in program, Uriah's training was done by military prisoners and volunteer handlers, Susan Martin and Denise and Kevin Carpentier, who took her on outings in the community. Her veterinary care was done by Best Friends Animal Hospital.  All of the records and documentation of training were transferred back to the corporate office in Wilmington for recording and retention.  Staff in the Wilmington office processed Coleen's application for a service dog and the Client Services Committee reviewed and determined her eligibility for a service dog.  Wilmington staff had the rewarding job of notifying Coleen of her approval, match with Uriah and team training arrangements.   When it comes time for the clients' team training, staff arranges transportation, if needed, and hotel accommodations.  In Charleston there are three hotels that sponsor our clients accommodations.Holiday Inn Express & Suites Charleston North sponsored Coleen. On the day of the placement ceremony, the Brig is active in ensuring guests are escorted to the ceremony including a representative from Quilts of Valor.  Quilts of Valor's mission is to provide every Veteran with a hand crafted patriotic quilt and drape the Veteran in the quilt.  The team fromHarry Barker Inc. joins the ceremony to present the client and service dog with a gift basket of goodies to start their new life together. On the final day of training, a carriage tour of Charleston is graciously provided by Palmetto Carriage. You too can be a part of changing someone's life with the gift of a service dog. Join our Continuing Companions by providing an ongoing monthly donation to help provide for the needs of a service dog in training and for the team training.

Canines for Service Charity Partner in the 2015 American Humane Hero Dog Awards with Five Service Dog Nominees

Wilmington, NC March 10, 2015:  Canines for Service has been named one of the service dog Charity Partners in the 2015 American Humane Hero Dog Awards.  The eight categories for 2015 are: Military Dogs, sponsored by the Zoetis Rimadyl K-9 Courage Program; Arson Dogs, sponsored by State Farm; Service Dogs, sponsored by Modern Dog magazine; Law Enforcement Dogs; Search and Rescue Dogs; Guide/Hearing Dogs; Therapy Dogs; and Emerging Hero Dogs, a category that pays tribute to ordinary dogs who do extraordinary things. Zoetis is the official online sponsor for the competition. 

In the category of Service Dogs, Canines for Service has five (5) nominees: Luke, Mordecai, Sela, Titus and Zebby.  The top dog in each category will win $2,500 for a designated charity partner and the overall winner's charity partner will win an additional $5,000 for their chosen charity. Each partner is dedicated to celebrating the role of dogs in our lives, and like American Humane Association, focuses on the importance of the human-animal bond.

Beginning today, dog lovers across the country are invited to visit www.herodogawards.org and vote once per day for their favorites in each of eight categories. Following the first round of voting, which ends May 15 with the selection of 24 semifinalists (the top three in each category), a second round, featuring a combination of public and celebrity voting, will narrow the field to the eight category finalists. The winning dog in each category will be flown to Los Angeles and celebrated at a red carpet, star-studded awards gala on September 19^th, when this year's American Hero Dog will be revealed. The fifth annual Hero Dog Awards will air nationwide as a two-hour special on Hallmark Channel this fall.

Key Dates.

Key dates for the 2015 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards™ contest include:

• March 9-May 15: Voting to determine 24 semifinalists
• May 25-June 26: Voting to determine the 8 category finalist
• July 4-September 7: Voting to determine 2015's American Hero Dog
• September 19: Fifth annual American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards event in Los Angeles

About American Humane Association.

American Humane Association is the country's first national humane organization and the only one dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Since 1877, American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in protecting our most vulnerable from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today we're also leading the way in understanding the human-animal bond and its role in therapy, medicine and society. American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. You can help make a difference, too. Visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.

About Canines for Service.

Canines for Service is a North Carolina based non-profit corporation dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to achieve greater independence. The group trains and places certified service dogs with the help of volunteer foster families and military prisoners, provides pet therapy certification classes and helps children in our community improve their reading skills. It is the only service dog provider in North Carolina accredited by Assistance Dogs International. Since its inception in 1996, Canines for Service has provided over $11 million in services to our community. For more information, call 910-362-8181 or visit www.caninesforservice.org.

Media Contact: Patricia Hairston, Canines for Service Telephone: 866-910-DOGS (3647) phairston@caninesforservice.org

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CFS Happenings

There is so much happening here that we are trying to keep up with it all!!  

Service Dog Ava

Gotha-ya Day

On June 15th team training begins with a Marine receiving his service dog.  Sgt Kyle Miller and his wife, Vanessa, will spend one intensive week learning to work with Service Dog Ava.  This is always a very exciting time filled with many emotions for the recipient and the team of trainers and volunteer handlers at Canines for Veterans.  Service Dog Ava came  Francis Willis SPCA in Summerville, one of our rescue partners, in July 2013 and has completed her training in just under one year.  Ava with assist her person with balance and post-traumatic stress related issues.

Gotcha-ya Day

Service Dog Abner training with a harness

Later in June, Service Dog Abner will meet his partner, Air Force Sgt William Elkins, Ret., a Vietnam Veteran. Service Dog Abner came from Colleton County Animal Service, a high-kill shelter in October 2013 and is finishing his training in just under 8 months.  Abner is the brother of Service Dog Eli partnered last November also with an Air Force Veteran. 


In other news,  Wilmington Sharks invited Canines for Service, Bat Dog Titus and our service dogs in training to be a part of the 2014 baseball season in Wilmington as a sponsor of Canines for Service.  Appearances will be made during the season at one game each week.  Service Dog in training Abigail is working to step into Bat Dog Titus's paws by learning to retrieve bats.  Bat Dog Titus will be at the games on June 13 and July 11th. 

Harry Barker Inc., a supporter of the Canines for Veterans program with a line of products with a portion of the proceeds donated to us will be at the Atlanta  market in July with a special appearance by Veteran recipient Dean Suthard and Service Dog Esther.  Read the latest news here.  

Happening now, Canines for Service has launched a 2015 Calendar Contest! Through July 31, 2014, pet photos can be submitted for a donation of $10 per photo for judging by three local photographers to be included on a month in the 2015 calendar.  If folks don't want to submit a photo for a $5.00 donation your pets name will be listed on a date of your choice.  Pre-order for the calendars are being taken with the calendar planned to be available in time for the 2014 holiday giving season. For contest guidelines and how you can submit a photo visit our website Events page. 

A new store has been launched on our website and a new tee-shirt is available through Bonfire Funds for a limited time only.     

Order at Bonfire Funds

There are so many ways for your to support the mission and services of Canines for Service .  Please join us today in giving the gift of independence to those in need.