Remembering Katrina

Seems like yesterday we were glued to the news watching the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans and the surrounding areas.  Not only did a major hurricane hit the city, but a secondary event when the levies gave way and the city was flooded and then two additional hurricanes. 

What happened in the aftermath was one of the largest outpourings of love and support from around the country and the world.  Five years has passed and there has been many changes; many residents of New Orleans returned and many choose not to.  The city is rebuilding and will for years to come.

Carolina Canines was forever changed by the events that unfolded in the days and months following the hurricane.  Hurricane Katrina left people devastated and it also left thousands of animals devastated.  The large animal groups like United Animal Nations (UAN) and ASPCA stepped in to assist with the animals, large and small, domesticated and not so domesticated.  These groups worked with smaller organizations throughout the country to save the non-human victims of the hurricane.  Carolina Canines was one of the groups that worked with UAN and ASPCA. 

Carolina Canines Hurricane Katrina Animal Relief saw an outpouring of community support with 260 volunteers working 3500 volunteer hours in just a few short months.  Rescues from many area groups came together to lovingly care for the 53 dogs and cats that arrived in Wilmington.  Over 67% of the animals owners were contacted, Carolina Canines received national and local recognition, 11 dogs were reunited, the others found adoptive homes and all of the cats found adoptive homes. 

To see more about this project, click on the link http://www.carolinacanines.net/uploads/Katrina_Presentation_Rev_May08.pdf

We learned a lot from this experience, but perhaps most importantly we learned their are good people in this world that come together to help at a time of need. 

Carolina Canines for Veterans Relocates and Expands to Charleston Naval Station

Carolina Canines for Service (CCFS) announces the relocation and expansion of the Carolina Canines for Veterans (CCV) program to the Naval Consolidated Brig, Charleston located at Naval Weapons Station Charleston, South Carolina in August 2010 in coordination with Navy Corrections and Programs.


The Carolina Canines for Veterans program was started in January 2008 at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and since inception has partnered ten (10) wounded warriors with service dogs trained by military prisoners providing over $400,000 in services to wounded veterans. The Carolina Canines for Veterans program is the first of its kind to work within military prison walls to use prisoners to train service dogs.


The transition of the program to the Navy Consolidated Brig Charleston (NCBC), South Carolina is occurring because the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC V) realigned the post-trial confinement mission from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune to the Joint Regional Confinement Facility, South East, located at the NCBC.


Recipients of CCV service dogs have served in all branches of the military and sustained injuries while serving in Operations Iraqi or Enduring Freedom. CCV service dogs are trained to support individual mobility issues and post traumatic stress disorder.


"We have been very happy with the support of the United States Marine Corps and success of the Carolina Canines for Veterans program at Camp Lejeune. The move to Charleston will enable us to grow the program and serve more of our deserving Veterans," says Rick Hairston, Carolina Canines for Service President & CEO. The program is solely funded by the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations to Carolina Canines for Service. CCFS is seeking new financial partners in Charleston and South Carolina.


Carolina Canines for Service is a non-profit corporation dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to achieve greater independence. The group trains certified service dogs with the help of volunteer foster families, matches the dog to an eligible recipient and provides the dog free of charge. Since its inception in 1996, Carolina Canines has placed 41 service dogs, valued at more than $1.6 million. For more information, call (866) 910-3647 or visit www.carolinacanines.org.

Holly to Help with Healing

A little over two years ago, Chaplain Donald Twist’s life took a turn he was not expecting. During a training mission in preparation for deployment, a near-death drowning that left him questioning many things, including his faith. The last couple of years have been long, trying and tense.


Balancing healing, family life with his wife Denise and their two children, and a U.S. Navy career as a Chaplain, it all has been too much for Donald at times. The mobility issues he has experienced have paled in comparison to the issues exhibited by the post traumatic stress disorder. Difficulty sleeping, nightmares, difficulty being in crowds and feelings of isolation have compounded Donald’s ability to heal his mind and body.

Last December, two years post injury, Chaplain Twist made a conscience decision to change some things in his life and to move forward. That day, he placed a call to Carolina Canines for Service to ask about a service dog. Initially, asking if we might consider trying his dog, and then learning that is not something our organization did, Donald submitted application for a service dog from Carolina Canines for Veterans. Some months went by, and the call finally arrived that Donald was waiting for. A dog was ready for him and team training was scheduled.

Chaplain Twist met service dog Holly and he knew instantly, this was the dog he had prayed for. Perfect for him in many ways, she looked more like a Labrador retriever then her other possible mixes (Greyhound or Great Dane), was not too large and was short hair.  Holly came from local Wilmington rescue, Tails U Win. 

Donald embarked on an intense week of training to learn how to work with Holly and begin their bonding process.   On the second full day of training, Donald took Holly back to his hotel with him for the night. During team training, this is when the real bonding begins to happen, when the person and the dog have to rely on each other. The next morning, Donald shared that he experienced his first nightmare free sleep in over two years.

The week of team training has been exhausting, even though Donald has slept better the last few nights with Holly near him, then he has in over two years. He has enjoyed his experience team training with Holly, meeting her military prison handlers and looks forward to her working with him in his home and his duties as a Chaplain. Donald jokingly says, “Holly has a codependent personality disorder and I am completely fine with that.”

Community Support Through Giving

Carolina Canines for Service depends on the generosity of individuals, groups and civic organization to support the programs that serve our community. Recently the Shallotte Masonic Lodge 727 held a fundraiser to support the Carolina Canines for Veterans program.

Harvard Holden presented Rick Hairston with a check for $1,585 which the Shallotte Masonic Lodge 727 raised by raffling a custom cane. These funds will assist a Veteran to receive their service dog and be used to help in the expenses of team training when a recipient is partnered with their dog.

There are many people who want to be involved can help. The greatest need remains for people to foster a service dog in training with in the Wilmington, NC or Myrtle Beach, SC programs. Our ability to provide quality trained service dogs to those that need them depends of the generosity and commitment of people in our communities.

Another way to help is to hold a fundraiser like Shallotte Masonic Lodge 727 did. There are many ideas for fundraisers from bake sales to home shows.

Carolina Canines for Service encourages third party events (i.e. golf outings, marathons, sales benefiting Carolina Canines, etc). As an event organizer, we ask that interested individuals provide all the elements needed to complete the event promotion. If you want our involvement in the event, then before an individual, company or organization proceeds with a special event or promotion to benefit the Carolina Canines, we do request the completion of a fundraising agreement be provided by the Carolina Canines. To receive a copy of the fundraising agreement, email us at information@carolinacanine.org

Brightening a Child's Day

Meet Elsie and Chloe, one of our Carolina Canines for Therapy teams here in Wilmington. Elsie and Chloe have been visiting the The Betty H. Cameron Women's and Children's Hospital on the campus of New Hanover Regional Medical Center every Thursday. Chloe has taken a liking to the aquarium. After a stop at the nurses station to find out which rooms would like a visit, Elsie and Chloe spend time with patients, making their day a little brighter. "The child's first reaction is complete surprise to have a dog come into their room. Usually a parent is there and they always tell me how much the child enjoyed the encounter", says Elsie.

Elsie and Chloe are providing a tremendous gift to the patients when they visit with them. Our heartfelt thanks go out to Elsie and Chloe and all of our fantastic volunteers that are making a difference in our community with therapy visits.

If you would like more information about how to get involved as a Carolina Canines for Therapy team please visit our website at www.carolinacanines.org and we can help you get plugged in.