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Graduation day November 15, 2008 is shared with many friends and family. My friend, Dan Galloway encouraged my applying for a Facility Canine through Canine Companions for Independence. Dan is a generous man. His time as a Special Art’s teacher at Dale Cassens School within the St. Lucie County School system is very time consuming, yet, Dan still finds time to help so many within his reach. All I knew about Dan, was that he was a man with a dog, a therapy dog if you will. The work within acitvities at the Boadmoor Assisted Living Facility is priceless with this special population. This Assisted Living Facility specializes in memory impairment. Dan agreed to visit once a week with Olivet after their long day at school. I remember the first time I laid eyes on Olivet – I cried, I knew she was special. Without knowing all that Olivet could do, her knowledge of 40 commands and through the years, Dan had built on her commands and yes, Olivet can read. Until I met Dan and Olivet I had no idea that CCI existed – but my friends, I was about to be educated by the best graduate from CCI that was available to me. Dan mentioned to me that the possibilities are endless with these specially trained canines and that I should apply. There was certainly a need for the love and attention a trained canine could offer the residents at the Broadmoor. Even though Olivet is retired, she still has a tremendous impact in the lives of children and adults that have been fortunate to meet her. Olivet is a retired CCI canine and she has a wonderful life with Jim & Joan Dobbs in Fort Pierce, Florida. Olivet still does community service and brings her unconditional love to all she meets. Because of Dan and his passion for CCI and the amazing results with having a tremendous working partner as with Olivet and now, with Abigail, the miracles will continue to unfold. Please join in on our journey and as our web site grows, know that, we love helping people and inspiring all we meet to know there are many miracles in the making due to the vision of Canine Companions for Independence. Dan is working tirelessly in St. Lucie County to improve the quality of life and to inspire those students that are within his reach. Please visit Dan and Abigail’s web site and you will be amazed at the stunning results of a man and his dog! http://www.artdog.org/ Remembering these miracles on four paws were all made possible by CCI and the multitude of volunteers within this amazing organization. Dan’s work & training with Olivet have been priceless within our community and I am so thrilled to experience these miracles as one of the many teams within CCI. Olivet will always be a part of Jenna’s humble beginnings for great things! Stay tuned! We are so excited about our life within the memory impaired communities within St. Lucie County. We are truly blessed with Jenna’s Gift!

Yep! – our girl has some confining experience. The Federal Prison Camp located in Montgomery, Alabama is a minimun security facility that houses male offenders. Jenna lived within the confines of those concrete/steel walls about 18 months. I must admit this program used by CCI inspires the inmate assigned the privilege of puppy raising for months is indeed a earned right of passage. Six of the seven graduation teams were part of a prison program. The results are amazing for the recipient, puppy raiser and the entire CCI concept. The inmate working with Jenna did a wonderful job, I understand he is released from the FPC and has returned to his homeland in San Juan. I bet my girl can understand Spanish! I want to thank the Montgomery FPC and the insight of Administration @ FPC to partner with CCI’s vision and their community in Montgomery, Alabama is supportave as well for all the agencies involved in this amazing process. We are all truly blessed with these special canines. The unconditional love given to her during her time at FPC is truly appreciated – she is indeed a perfect friend and an amazing working partner. God is amazing with all His wonders, like Canine Companions for Independance!