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Canine Working Companions,
Inc. (CWC) is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization that was
founded in 1986 by Pat McNamara of Waterville, New York. The mission
was to place specially selected and trained dogs with people who
have a physical disability or hearing impaired to encourage and
support independence. Since 1986, over 150 Service, Hearing, or
Therapy dogs have been placed in 24 counties of New York State.
CWC has its own
breeding program of Labrador Retrievers, but also selects dogs from
animal shelters, occasionally
receives donated puppies, and has a reciprocal agreement with
similar type organizations. These dogs are carefully screened,
placed in foster homes to learn basic social skills and obedience,
and eventually matched with individuals who have specific tasks and
needs that a Service, Hearing, or Therapy dog can help them with.
Each dog requires many hours of training before the placement team
training is completed.
CWC is a member of
Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and abides by the training
standards set for a Service or Hearing dog. A minimum of 120 hours
of training is required over a period of no less than 6 months for a
Service dog. Thirty hours of this training must be devoted to field
trips and public exposure. Placement team training consists of a
minimum of 13 days of public and private training. A minimum of 60
hours of training is required over a period of no less than 3 months
for a Hearing dog. Twenty hours of this training must be devoted to
field trips and public exposure. Placement team training consists of
a minimum of 32 hours.
CWC has an active puppy-raising and outreach program that
provides demonstrations to civic organizations, schools, and health
fairs. Our Therapy Dog Program; PAWS (Paws Are Willingly Shared)
gives volunteers the opportunity to visit local hospitals and
nursing homes with their dog partner to give the patients and
residents the benefit of pet therapy. CWC is also starting up a new
program called, “Read to the Paw; Ears to You”. It will give
children a change to increase their reading skills by reading to a
furry friend.
Annual events such as
our Alumni Workshop enable our graduates to discuss ideas, learn
about new equipment and supplies, and review training needs along
with reestablishing friendships. Our Annual Dinner and Graduation
introduces our annual graduates to our member base, sponsors, and
new friends. Major Fund Raising events such as Walkathons, Silent
Auctions, Raffles, Open House, Holiday Photos, and Motorcycle Poker
Runs, along with Membership Drives, Donations, and grants provide
funding. CWC does not receive any government funding.
The Staff consists of
an Administrative Assistant, 2 Trainers, and Training Facility
Coordinator. Members of the Board of Directors come from various
areas of expertise including graduates, puppy raisers, business
administrators as well as medical, financial, and legal fields. The
Advisory Board extends the resources and information available to
the Board in many areas.
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a
non-profit organization that enhances the daily lives of people with
physical disabilities, hearing impairments, and learning challenges by breeding, training, and placing
