Hard to say goodbye....

(Photo: Frank Sciarretta and Drew)

Manassas, VA - Canine Companions for Independence – a national non-profit organization that provides assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities – is proud to announce that New York resident Frank Sciarretta has recently received an assistance dog from Canine Companions for Independence.
Frank was matched with Drew, a two-year-old Labrador/golden retriever cross who has been trained to respond to over 40 advanced commands. Drew 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 Frank.
Much of the thanks for this successful match goes to Canine Companions for Independence volunteer puppy raisers Mary Jane and Bob Drake of Manassas, Virginia (the Drake’s are three-time Canine Companions for Independence Puppy Raisers). The Drake’s raised Drew from an 8 week old puppy, and said goodbye to him after a year and a half. Mary Jane and Bob worked tirelessly with Drew, teaching him basic commands, and the all-important socialization skills. When he was old enough to begin advanced training, Drew was returned to the Canine Companions Northeast Regional Headquarters in Medford, New York where he worked for 6 months with the organizations nationally renowned instructors, learning over 40 advanced commands.
Frank and Drew were matched after completing Canine Companion’s recent Team Training Class, an intense, two-week course held at the organization’s Northeast Regional Center– 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 Drew, and is taught to work with his/her canine companion. The training course consists of daily lectures, exams, practice and public outings.
Frank and Drew are settling into a routine back home on Long Island. Frank says, “Drew is a very special dog and I hope to have many wonderful years with him. I can’t thank the Drake family enough”.
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. Established in 1975, Canine Companions provides highly trained assistance dogs to children and adults with disabilities and is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs, and quality and longevity of the matches it makes between dogs and people. There is no charge for the dog, its training and on-going follow-up services. For more information, visit cci.org or call 1-800-572-BARK.