The Commitment

People ask me when I knew I was going to pursue training service dogs as a career. There are actually two answers to that question. The first answer is that when I was learning advanced training with Kojak, a big black lab in St. Louis, I knew I would do this for a long time. I went to class one night and witnessed the meeting of a young boy and his new service dog Crocker. The delight, happiness, joy, and glow that came from that 10 year old boy and that dog was nothing short of God’s miracle. The flame of passion was lit at that exact moment, and I knew I would do this for a long period of time. What I didn’t know then was shortly I would be leaving St. Louis and the life I knew there for Wilmington, North Carolina. I was very comfortable in St. Louis, with a lifetime of family, friends, recreation, and church. I had no intentions of leaving St. Louis for anywhere else in the world. He had other plans, and in September of 1996 I moved to Wilmington.

Moving to Wilmington was a big change, and as I looked for an organization to volunteer with, I found no service dog organizations existed in North Carolina at that time. So through a lot of prayer and soul searching on December 1st, 1996 Carolina Canines for Service came into existence; which is the second part of that answer.

I can still see that boy and Crocker, and a chill goes up my spine every single time I think of them. We have now placed 38 service dogs with our program and the same feeling, the excitement for the client, and that very soul identifying chill happens with each and every one. As times become more trying, we will continue to train as many quality service dogs as possible, whether it be one at a time or 300 at a time— that is my true commitment to the One we celebrate this Christmas Season.

Merry Christmas,
Rick Hairston

It's About the Impact

Serving the mobility impaired community with a quality trained Service dog training isn’t about the numbers, it’s about the impact. In our programs in Wilmington, NC and Myrtle Beach, SC puppies are raised by volunteer foster families from the time the pup is 7-11 weeks of age until it is about 2 years old. This is an enormous commitment by our foster families. Attending weekly and bi-weekly classes, taking the pup on outings for socialization, meeting the everyday needs of the pup from veterinary care to food, toys, and love.


The service dogs in training are living, breathing “products” of our program. But unlike many “products” produced by for-profit and non-profit businesses, there are variables because the service dog is living and breathing. Variables come into play for the personality of the dog; can it handle the constant socialization in the public without shutting down? Another variable is the dogs’ health; it must be of sound health including strong hip development for the work that the dog will eventually do.



Over the years, many dogs have come through the service dog program and many had to be released for adoption because of a health of temperament issue. We are happy to say that the dogs released from the program have all been adopted into wonderful homes. And, while their release was a disappointment because it meant one less future service dog, it is always the right decision.



Every person with a mobility disability that receives a Carolina Canines Service Dog is a success. The receiving of the service dog is a culmination of many hours and many people giving their time and their hearts. Today we are celebrating the success of two recipients from the civilian service dog program; Kathy Ormsby and Diane Godwin. Kathy received service dog Eden in October after waiting four years for her dog. And, Diane Godwin received her second service dog, Issachar, in October as well. Eden was trained by the Morrison family in Myrtle Beach, SC with he advanced training completed by Stephen LeQuire and Issachar was trained by Ed and Jean Pridgen with advanced training completed by Donna Sweetman.


For both of these individuals the impact is great. It gives them the opportunity to be more independent and rely on their service dogs to assist them with the little things many of us take for granted. Join us in celebrating these gifts from the heart.

What do paws and jam have in common?

The 8th annual Paw Jam, Saturday, May 2, 2009 from 11 AM - 5 PM at Battleship Park brought to you by Pets Are Worth Saving (Paws) of NC. Admission is $5.00 at the gate and proceeds support multiple rescue organizations in our community.

The mission of Paws of NC is to facilitate opportunities to raise funding and awareness for no-kill, non-profit animal rescue organizations in Southeastern North Carolina through the education and empowerment of the public.

If you are looking for a pet friendly event to attend, come listen to live music, enjoy festival food at the food court and beer garden, stroll through and purchase the wares of local arts, and pets vendor and enjoy pet related activities. Please, pets must be leashed.

Carolina Canines for Service is one of the 10 benefiting organizations. Come on out and say hello to our crew, met service dogs in training and therapy teams, renew old friendships and add to your Carolina Canines tee-shirt collection with our 2009 tee-shirt.

Heel 2 Heal - New Pet Therapy Program

Carolina Canines for Service, a Wilmington, N.C.-based non-profit that provides quality-trained service dogs to people with disabilities, at no cost, launched a new animal therapy training program developed by President/CEO Rick Hairston.

The new Carolina Canines for Therapy training program’s mission is to improve the quality of life for people though animal visitation. People and their pets, which have graduated from basic obedience courses, and completed Canine Good Citizens certification can enroll in Carolina Canines’ six-week preparation class that trains the team for volunteering at hospitals, public schools and special-care facilities.

Hairston began animal therapy training in 2002 using the Delta Society’s training curriculum. In January, he realized the need for a new curriculum that included more hands-on preparation prior to visitation, which no similar programs offered. Also unlike other programs, the completion of training includes a 20-point assessment of the animal and a criminal background check of the handler. Hairston developed Carolina Canines for Therapy along with Michele Godlevski, the owner of Teamworks Dog Training, Raleigh, N.C., whose organization became the first affiliate program.

Currently, Carolina Canines animal therapy program volunteers 1000 hours of time in the community each year for approximately 30 local facilities, including New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Lower Cape Fear Hospice Life Care Center and Hermitage House, as well as New Hanover County Schools.

“A dog has the ability to bring joy and happiness to a sick patient, shorten a hospital stay, assist with therapeutic interventions and comfort a child, as long as the animal receives proper training to prepare for these interactions,” said Hairston. “Our comprehensive, hands-on approach is really what sets us apart from other programs.”

Enrollment in the training program costs $135 with additional fees at the completion of the course. Anyone interested in registering with their dog for the next class, scheduled to begin February 24, can contact Carolina Canines at (910) 362-8181 or info@carolinacanines.org.