Canines for Service

Looking Ahead

2012-01-06T13:23:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

Now that all the excitement is over and the holiday break has been had, we are back to business we are looking forward to a promising 2012.

Programs

Canines for Service – continues to be based from the Wilmington corporate office. Demands for services continue and we need foster families (individual, couple, traditional or non-traditional) to step-up to the cause. We cannot serve people in need unless we have puppies in training coming up the ranks to fill those needs in 2-4 years. The commitment is great, but the reward is even bigger. Our goal for 2012 is to bring the foster program to Charleston, SC. Our second goal for this program is to obtain our U.S. Department of Labor approval for service dog technician training program. Canines for Service continues on the forefront of service dog training standards and the U.S. Department of Labor approval confirms a level of standards for the trainer. This apprenticeship program approval will make it possible to offer a vocational curriculum in service dog training.

Canines for Veterans – continues to serve our wounded and injured service members from 1991 – current. We know the demands are high and Canines for Veterans is on track to meet the needs with 10 to 15 service dog partnering planned for this year. Working with the brig to increase the number of prison handlers and then increase the number of dogs in training is a goal for this program.

Canines for Therapy – continues in Wilmington and in Raleigh taught by Teamworks Dog Training. To meet the continued needs in Wilmington, two staff members are in the process of becoming AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluators so our enrollees will be able to complete this evaluation before enrolling in the therapy class. Our goal is to bring this program into Charleston within the first quarter of 2012.

Canines for Literacy – continues in the greater Wilmington area in 5 elementary schools. Request for the program have never been higher, but we need certified Canines for Therapy teams so we can increase the number of children served.

Events

Events already on the calendar:

Canines for Therapy Class (Wilmington), January 17th

Conscience Fair (Wilmington) on Feb 4th

Run for the Roses (Raleigh) on Feb 12th

Southeastern Wildlife Exp (Charleston) on Feb 17^th- 19^th

Coastal Living Show (Wilmington) on March 17^th – 18^th

Walk for Those Who Can’t (Wilmington) on March 24^th

Azalea Festival Parade (Wilmington) on April 14th

Locations

Canines for Service is seeking facility space in Charleston/North Charleston, preferably donated or very low cost, to offer the Canines for Therapy program and begin the service dog training curriculum. A minimum of 2,000 to 5,000 sq feet of space is needed. If you know of space or have space you would like to talk with us about, please call, 866-910-3647.

Volunteers

Don’t be shy, we need you! In Wilmington area, Canines for Therapy teams are needed and Canines for Literacy teams. Foster families to raise a service dog for someone in need and event volunteers are always needed. With our 6^th annual Walk for Those Who Can’t on March 24^th we need a team of folks to help gain sponsors and tabletop exhibitors or volunteer for hospitality or event day activities. And, opportunities are available for Board Members.

Can’t volunteer? How about holding a fundraiser? Check our information on being CFS Supporter.

We've got a lot going, but we need your continued support; financially, and as corporate sponsors or volunteers. Help us make 2012 a great year. We can’t do it without you!

Looking Back

2011-12-31T13:31:00.000-05:00

Twenty-eleven has been a busy year for Canines for Service. We would like to thank the countless hours our Volunteers dedicate to our mission. Whether serving as Board members, raising a service dog in the Canines for Service or Canines for Veterans programs, providing animal assisted therapy in the Canines for Therapy program, being a literacy mentor in the Canines for Literacy program, helping us in the office or at events, we thank you. To our donors, supporters and corporate sponsors, thank you. Without your financial support we could not continue to serve the people who are waiting for their service dog, or train the therapy teams that visit in our communities.

This year we served nine individuals waiting for their service dog, visited over 50 facilities for animal assisted therapy, and served several hundred children struggling with reading. But, there are many more still waiting. Celebrating our 15th year anniversary is just the beginning. Our goals for 2012 include partnering 12 to 15 individuals with their service dogs, expanding the Canines for Therapy and Canines for Literacy programs to Charleston, SC, achieving the U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for service dog training in both South and North Carolina, and moving into a facility that will allow us to serve more people, offer job-training to Veterans and civilians and economic development in our community.

We look forward to a bright and prosperous 2012 and we need you to make that happen. Happy New Year!

Canines for Service Continues to Serve Our Veterans

2011-12-20T12:07:00.000-05:00

With the mission complete in Iraq, our brave troops are returning home after serving and sacrificing so much. Now more than ever, our service members need us. Many will continue in their military careers and many will embark on a career in the civilian world. Many will be dealing with varying degrees of physical impairment, traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder.

Serving our Veterans is a priority to Canines for Service in the Canines for Veterans (CFV) program. Providing a quality trained and Americans with Disability Act (ADA) compliant service dog to assist those with physical impairment, traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the foundation of the CFV program. By the ADA, a service dog must do work or perform tasks to benefit an individual with a disability; three key words, tasks, individual and disability. A service dog is trained to serve one individual with specific skills to help that individual mitigate their disability. From stabilizing a person when they are walking to retrieval of items, each service dog has been trained considering the needs and variations of the disabilities trained for.

A service dog is not a companion animal (pet), therapy animal, social or emotional support animal; these are entirely different, do not meet the intent of the ADA and have no legal rights. Another words a companion, therapy, social or emotional animal does not by law have access to public places such as restaurants, banks, grocery stores, shopping malls, airports/airplanes[1], etc. Those that perpetrate their pet as a service dog are in violation of the law.

There is a lot of information about people or groups providing “service” dogs for our Veterans. The caution to our service members is if you are truly getting a service dog that you need or are you being provided a pet disguised as something it is not.

Veterans and family members need to do their homework. Ask questions.

· How is the service dog trained?
· How long is the training for the service dog?
· What is the method of the training?
· Are the dogs trained positively or with negative methods?
· How many hours of training does each dog have?
· Has the service dog had routine veterinary care and is it spayed or neutered?
· Are the veterinary records provided?
· What skills does the dog do?
· Is there a fee for the service dog?
· How is the training provided to the person receiving the dog?
· Is the person required to train the dog themselves?
· Is there follow-up by the service dog provider?
· What happens if there is an issue after the dog is received?

Canines for Veterans stands ready to serve our Veterans as we have done since this program started in January 2008. A Veteran receiving a service dog from our program can be assured they are receiving a dog trained in skills to mitigate their disability. They will have individualized training with their service dog and have ongoing follow-up consultation and/or training. The service dog CFV provides is ADA compliant and meets all intent of the law. Our staff is available to answer questions before application, during the application process and after the receipt of the service dog.

Are you a Veteran or do you know a Veteran who could benefit from a service dog? Contact us today to learn how CFV can help a Veteran regain their independence in 2012.

What are you waiting for?

[1] Aircraft carriers act

Giving Thanks

2011-11-20T08:50:00.000-05:00

This season as many are celebrating with family and friends let us continue to remember the ones who serve our country every day being away from family and friends so that we can live in freedom.

Toyota 100 Cars for Good Program
Sienna Rampvan

The American spirit remains and is evident in the people that give every day by volunteering in their community or donating to support groups that help others. This season Canines for Service is thankful for the continued support of our communities near and far. For the financial supporters that continue to stand with us to change people’s lives; from the special gifts to the monthly supporters, we thank you. To the thousands that rallied support this past August for the Toyota 100 Cars for Good program win, thank you. To the corporate sponsors providing in-kind donations and financial support, thank you. To our funders who have read through thousands of applications and choose to invest in the people we serve, in the work we do and our future, thank you. To our volunteers, Board members, foster families, therapy teams, literacy mentors, office support and event planners, thank you. Our mission would not be possible without each and every one of you.

Thanksgiving marks the start of the holiday season and for Canines for Service it marks a time of celebration of the 15 years of commitment and service we are thankful for. Thank you to all of our supporters because without you, we could not continue to serve.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Exciting Times

2011-11-12T10:31:00.000-05:00

There has been a lot happening at Carolina Canines and it has sometimes been a challenge to keep up. Programs are growing, services are in demand. We have brought several folks on board to help with the increasing program demands both in Wilmington, NC and Charleston, SC.

This week is exciting. On Monday, the Toyota our supporters helped us to win in the Toyota 100 Cars for Good Program will be delivered. The delivery is at 4:30 pm at Toyota of Wilmington. Join us if you can to celebrate this great moment for our organization and the great work Toyota is doing. On Tuesday, a film crew will be in Wilmington from Toyota. Carolina Canines was selected as 1 of 3 of the winning organizations to be featured in a documentary about the 100 Cars for Good Program. Awarding winning directors and producers will be working with a few volunteers and clients to share the work of Carolina Canines with the nation. This is an incredible opportunity and one we are most grateful for.

The Harry Barker Canines for Veterans product lined launch and a benefit was held at Urban Country in Bethesda, MD. Watch for some exciting news from Bethesda Row this holiday season.

If you have keep up with the local newspaper, Star News, you would have read about one of our foster families who is a UNCW student raising a service dog for us. The article, UNCW student trains dogs for Canines for Service by Cece Nunn demonstrated the dedication and work it takes to juggle a busy college curriculum while volunteering in the community.

The schedule just keeps getting busier. On Friday a benefit luncheon will be held at Carrabba's Italian Grill thanks to the proprietor and our supported Jonathan O'Donnell. There are still a few seats available so call us at 910-362-8181 if you would like to join us to hear about the people we have served. On Sunday, November 20th we'll be in Charleston, SC for a fundraiser sponsored by Charleston Referral Exchange, Pooches for Patriots.

Team training for our 50th placement begins just after Thanksgiving and will celebrate our 15th year anniversary. None of this would be possible without YOU! And, we thank you.

It's About the Quality

2011-08-24T06:58:00.000-04:00

There are some days that it seems we are more about the business of a non-profit than assisting our clients. With each step we take to spread the word about the work we do, we are raising awareness of the needs for quality trained service dogs and the need to support our mission financially so we can continue serving our clients.

It is about the quality. Providing a reliable service dog that meets the needs of the person receiving it. While others may be producing more, we have taken care to develop the right skill sets for the disabilities we serve and making the difficult decisions along the way. Our dogs know about 90 commands with a new set of commands that are specific for our Veterans living with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These commands were developed in the Canines for Veterans program working with the prison handlers, many of which have PTSD. Each command is specific to address a symptom of PTSD.

As we share below the places we have been and the people we have met, each step we have taken is working towards building awareness of the quality of service dogs Canines for Service provides and the commitment to the people we serve.

The first week in August we celebrated the newest Canines for Veterans service dog team in Charleston. Sgt Chase Jones received service dog Elder to assist him with his mobility, traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder. After an intense week of training, Sgt Jones returned home with Service Dog Elder re-energized to regain his life with his wife and family. Struggling for years dealing with his injuries, he had isolated himself from the world and his loved ones. Now with Elder by his side, Sgt Jones has a new leash on life and is ready to re-engage.

On August12th, the Hairston’s headed to Washington DC to attend an Evening Parade at the Commandant of the Marine Corps home. As an invited guest, they joined others to celebrate and honor the Honorable Colin Powell. An amazing display of military marching precision, the evening parade is full of tradition and inspires anyone to remember why we are proud Americans.

Then onto NYC to join our friends at Harry Barker Inc. at the NYC International Gift Market to help them launch the Canines for Veterans products. "Harry Barker is honored to sponsor Canines for Veterans," said Carol Perkins, founder of Harry Barker. "We are passionate about our products, and we are excited to begin a campaign with such a great organization. We want to help spread the word about Canines for Veterans because we love what they do, and we will do whatever we can to help the program grow.”

The Harry Barker Canines for Veterans product line features a collar and leash set, fetch balls, and a decorative tin filled with dog treats, all of which are original designs. The products will be available in stores in October 2011 and many retail locations will be holding events on Veterans Day to feature our program and the products.. Visit the Harry Barker Inc to learn more about the products and how your store can offer this exclusive product line to support our Veterans.

NYC was a full schedule but included some time to treat ourselves to a NY style pizza and the all-American past time of baseball at a Brooklyn Cyclones game. US Army Cpt. Leslie Smith, Ret. and her service dog Isaac were honored during the game and the Hairston's along with Service Dog Titus were introduced to the NY fans. The Brooklyn Cyclones stadium is the home of the Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance of the First Responders of 9-11. A reminder to us why we started the Canines for Veterans program as the names and faces of those who gave their lives for others became real and looked back at us as we took a moment to reflex on those that sacrifice for others every day.

As we are reminded of the reason for the need for more service dogs for Veterans consider supporting Canines for Service to ensure the continued availability of quality trained service dogs for the people we serve, Veteran or not.

CAROLINA CANINES TO RECEIVE NEW TOYOTA VEHICLE TO BETTER SERVE THE COMMUNITY

2011-08-21T11:22:00.000-04:00

Wilmington, NC, August 18, 2011 – Carolina Canines for Service is pleased to announce the organization was recognized as a winner of Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program and will receive a Toyota Sienna Mobility Van to better serve the community. The Toyota 100 Cars for Good program is awarding 100 vehicles over the course of 100 days to 100 deserving nonprofit organizations based on votes from the public.

Public voting began on May 9 and continues for 100 consecutive days. Each day, five organizations are profiled on Toyota’s Facebook page and voters may vote for the charity they feel is most deserving of the vehicle. A vehicle will be awarded each day through August 16 for a total of 100 vehicles. Voters may place one vote per day, each day, over the course of the program.

“The outpouring of support and interest in the Toyota 100 Cars for Good program has been tremendous,” Michael Rouse, Toyota Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Affairs. “It is amazing to see how this program has brought individuals, organizations and communities together. We are equally excited to see Carolina Canines utilize their new vehicle to do good in the community.”

Carolina Canines for Service was profiled on Toyota’s Facebook page on August 15, 2011, along with four other finalists who were in the running to receive a new vehicle. Based on support from the community and votes from the public, Carolina Canines was named the August 15^th winner.

Carolina Canines for Service is a non-profit corporation dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to achieve greater independence. The group trains and places certified service dogs with the help of volunteer foster families and military prisoners at the Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston, provides pet therapy certification classes and helps children in our community improve their reading skills. Since its inception in 1996, Carolina Canines has placed 48 service dogs and the value of all the programs exceeds $5.0 million in services to our community. The Toyota Sienna Mobility Van will help us to assist our clients that depend on wheelchairs when they are learning to work with their service dog provided by our organization.

“We are very grateful to Toyota 100 Cars for Good Program and our supporters that made this opportunity a reality” says Rick Hairston, President and CEO of Carolina Canines. “Mostly we are thankful to provide additional services to our clients with the receipt of the Sienna Mobility Van.”

The Toyota 100 Cars for Good Program enables 100 organizations to receive a Toyota vehicle to make a greater impact on the community. Since 1991, Toyota has contributed more than $500 million to non-profit organizations, and has always been guided by a strong belief in serving the communities where it does business. If you’d like to learn more, please visit http://www.toyota.com/about/philanthropy/.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants, including one under construction. Toyota directly employs nearly 30,000 in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design.

Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where it does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. Since 1991, Toyota has contributed more than $500 million to philanthropic programs in the U.S.

For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit http://www.toyota.com/community.

Celebrating A Month of Independence

2011-07-10T13:10:00.000-04:00

This July as we celebrate independence and our freedom, remember not everyone has the pleasure of experiencing independence. Millions struggle everyday with the simple tasks of life. Just getting out of bed and getting dressed in the morning could take hours and the pain and discomfort experienced is beyond what many of us will ever know.

Asher, from New Hanover County Animal Control

For Carolina Canines it's about the people and the dogs. About 80% of the dogs trained to be service dogs are from rescues or shelters. In the Carolina Canines for Veterans program, we work with a network of rescues in Wilmington, NC and Charleston, SC to locate and evaluate candidates for the training program. In the last several weeks, seven dogs entered the training program. Melchi, Derbe, Naomi, Asher, Niles, Jericho and Erza joined the training program from Frances R. Willis SPCA, New Hanover County Animal Control, Charleston Animal Society, and Horry County Animal Services. All of these dogs have found freedom and will begin their journey to provide freedom to a Veteran.

To see how these newly freed dogs will be transformed to serve a Veteran, watch the All Hands video about Carolina Canines.

Everyday people are waiting for their chance at a more independent life. What can you do to help? Get involved with local organizations that help people to gain more independence. Get involved by raising a service dog for someone in need or donating to support our programs. Perhaps you have your own dog and you could train to volunteer as a pet therapy team then visit with people in local nursing facilities, hospitals or help a child learn to read. Use your independence to help someone else.

Happenings

2011-06-15T07:21:00.000-04:00

Things have been barkin' at Carolina Canines. We have recently added a new staff member, Jenny Edwards. She stepped into our first Director of Member Relations position. Jenny is quickly settling in and planning some great things for Carolina Canines. In July she looks to launch the "Power of the Paw", a introduction to Carolina Canines' programs and services. These will be offered in Wilmington on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month with limited seating at each session; reservations will be needed as these will fill up fast. "Power of the Paw" will be coming to Charleston too; dates to be determined.

We had a visit from Lydia and Audrey who together with their mom and a friend delivered a wealth of supplies for Carolina Canines Service dogs-in-training. The two sisters collected the items during a recent birthday party in lieu of gifts. Items include kongs, dog treats, leashes, stainless steel bowls, toys, a generous gift card to a pet store, (yes!) the always appreciated "poop bags," and much more! A big "WOOF!" thank you to the Jennifer, Lydia, Audrey, and all their friends and family who contributed to the donations!

Titus modeling the Harry Barker Dog Bathrode

And, Harry Barker Inc. invited Titus to their warehouse to receive supplies for the service dogs in training in the Carolina Canines for Veterans program. We are not sure who had more fun the staff of Harry Barker or Carolina Canines. Of course Titus was his usual attention hound soaking up all the love.

Don't forget, Friday night home games at the Charleston RiverDogs to see Titus the bat dog. And on July 31st come out for the Bark for Your Brews, a craft beer festival at The Joe to benefit Carolina Canines for Veterans.

CAROLINA CANINES FOR SERVICE NAMED FINALIST IN TOYOTA 100 CARS FOR GOOD PROGRAM

2011-04-30T07:32:00.001-04:00

Toyota to Donate Vehicle to Local Nonprofit Organizations Based on Public Votes

Wilmington, NC – April 25, 2011 – Wilmington based organization Carolina Canines for Service is one of 500 finalists in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program, which will award vehicles to 100 nonprofit organizations based on votes from the public beginning May 9, 2011.

Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program will showcase five non-profit organizations each day for 100 days on Toyota’s Facebook page, facebook.com/toyota. Visitors to the page can vote once a day for the organization that they feel is most deserving of a new Toyota vehicle. Carolina Canines for Service will be one of the five organizations highlighted for voting on AUGUST 15, 2011.

Local residents are encouraged to support Carolina Canines for Service and their quest for a new Toyota Sienna Mobility van. If Carolina Canines for Service receives the most votes and is awarded the vehicle, it will be used to assist our clients when they train to receive their service dog.

About Carolina Canines for Service.

Carolina Canines for Service, with the corporate office located in Wilmington, North Carolina, is a non-profit corporation dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to achieve greater independence. The group trains and places certified service dogs with the help of volunteer foster families and military prisoners training service dogs for veterans, provides pet therapy certification classes and helps children in our community improve their reading skills. Since its inception in 1996, the value of all the programs is nearing $5.0 million in services to our communities. For more information call (866) 910-3647 or visit www.carolinacanines.org.

About Toyota.

For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit http://www.toyota.com/community.

Media Contact:

Pat Hairston

Carolina Canines for Service

910-362-8181

pat@carolinacanines.org

Carolina Canines for Service Offers Pet Therapy Program in Charleston

2011-03-28T19:36:00.000-04:00

Photo by Mike Spencer, StarNewsMedi

CHARLESTON, N.C.- Carolina Canines, the organization that conducts the Carolina Canines for Veterans program at the Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston, will begin offering their Carolina Canines for Therapy program in Charleston in April.

There is nothing like the unconditional love and affection from a friendly dog to help you temporarily forget your troubles. In fact, studies show that human-animal interaction can help lower blood pressure and heart rate and significantly reduce anxiety and stress.

Carolina Canines for Therapy offers owners and their dogs the chance to become certified pet therapy teams to provide animal-assisted visitations in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, group homes and treatment facilities. Handlers and their dogs complete a comprehensive six-week course, equipping them with the skills necessary for successful therapy visitations within the community. The dog must be well behaved, well socialized, in good health, able to handle new situations well and enjoys being patted by strangers. They also know basic commands like sit, down, stay and come, like people and have gentle temperaments.

The Carolina Canines for Therapy program was established in 2002 and has provided training to over 600 teams and certified close to 400. The program is currently being conducted in Wilmington and Raleigh, North Carolina where certified therapy teams visit over 50 facilities making a difference in people’s lives every day.

Carolina Canines for Service brought the Carolina Canines for Veterans program to Charleston last September and since then has provided over $500,000 in services to service members and veterans who have experienced injuries while serving our country. “Offering our therapy training program in the Charleston community is a natural expansion and growth of our programs in this community”, says Rick Hairston, President of Carolina Canines. “The Carolina Canines for Therapy program offers the opportunity for more people to be involved in our organization and give back in the community they live and work in. The Unitarian Church has graciously opened their doors for us to offer the course in the community.”

The program will begin on April 12, 2011 at the Unitarian Church in Charleston, Gage Hall, 4 Archdale Street and run for six consecutive weeks. Interested individuals should review the course prerequisites and policy at http://www.carolinacanines.org/Therapy.html. The course fee is $145 and pre-registration is required.

Carolina Canines for Service, with the corporate office located in Wilmington, North Carolina, is a non-profit corporation dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to achieve greater independence. The group trains and places certified service dogs with the help of volunteer foster families and military prisoners training service dogs for veterans, provides pet therapy certification classes and helps children in our community improve their reading skills. Since its inception in 1996, the value of all the programs exceeds $4.0 million in services to our communities. For more information, call (866) 910-3647 or visit www.carolinacanines.org.

Get Your Walk On

2011-03-22T19:32:00.000-04:00

The Walk for Those Who Can't is just days away and the Walk Team is working in the background to finalize the details, get the supplies ready, arrange for the last minute pick-up or delivery of items and get ready to analyze the top three teams or individual fundraisers. The Wilmington weather is looking good with a cool but sunny morning.

There is still time to get involved. Register today at Walk for Those Who Can't by clicking here and selecting Register for This Event, click register online and enter your information. You can register online through Friday or stop by our office through Thursday afternoon. On Saturday morning, join us at Hugh MaeRae Park beginning at 9 am to check-in at Shelter #5 and if you are pre-registered as a team (team captain's check-in) or individual. Or you can register the day of the event with cash, check or credit card. Then pick up your tee-shirt, enjoy some refreshments (Shelter #6), say hello to our sponsors in Shelter #6, pick up some information about Carolina Canines, (Shelter #6) have your photo taken in the photo area for a small donation, pick up some raffle tickets for some awesome prizes, mingle and enjoy the day.

Carolina Canines extends our appreciation to the Walk Team of Volunteers that have worked hard for several months to plan and organize this event and the Volunteers coming out to help the day of the event including Cape Fear Composite Squadron, CAP and our MC's Craig Thomas and Sheila Brothers of SunnyFM 104.5, The Craig and Sheila Show. Without them, we could not have done this.

To our sponsors who have made it possible: Saint- WILM-10, Champion - Queensboro, Hero - Carrabba's Italian Grill, StarNewsMedia, Sunrise Broadcasting, Sunny FM 104.5, Coastal Modern Rock 98.7; Partner- Brightmore of Wilmington, DogLiving Magazine, Port City Java, Friend - Bax Photography, Dock Street Printing, PawPrints Magazine and Wilmington Animal Health Care.

To the Hospitality Sponsors for refreshments for the participants: Costco, Harris Teeter-Porters Neck and Long Leaf, Atlantic Bread, The Bagel Basket, Lowe's Food Store-Pine Grove, and McAllister's Deli. To the Dog Bandana Sponsors: Companion Animal Hospital, Pine Valley Animal Hospital and Wags & Whiskers.

And, to the local businesses and individuals that have donated for the raffle: Hilton Riverside Hotel including dinner at Ruth Chris Steak House, Two night stay at the Holiday Inn Resort at Wrightsville Beach, $50.00 gift card at Port Land Grille in Lumina Station, Wilmington, Dinner for two at North End Bistro at Shell Island, Wrightsville Beach, gift card at South Beach Grill, Wrightsville Beach,$50.00 gift card at Kornerstone Bistro in Porters Neck, Wilmington, custom crafted stained Glass Lighthouse window by Joan, James Davis giclee water color paintings and gift certificates from Head to Toe Salon.

A brief ceremony will kick-off the Walk and ribbon cutting then take a scenic stroll in the park with your two and four legged friends. After the Walk enjoy some refreshments and post Walk announcements for the top fundraising teams or individuals.

After all, it supports a great cause and it's a walk in the park!

Walk for Those Who Can't Just Weeks Away

2011-03-13T10:02:00.000-04:00

The 5th annual Walk for Those Who Can't is just a couple of weeks away, there are a number of questions for individuals and teams. Here are the most frequently asked and how Carolina Canines is handling this:

People have registered under Join This Team and the amount I've raised is not showing. How do I know how much I've raised? Online registrations are tallied separate from donations in Firstgiving.com. Carolina Canines will be totaling online registrations + donations + offline donations and registrations for a Team and Individual Total.
When can a Team Captain pick up the T-shirts for my team? Team t-shirts can be picked up the morning of the Walk on Saturday, March 26, 2011 beginning at 9 am. There will be a Team Registration table at Huge MacRae Park, Shelter 5 for all pre-registered teams. Only the Team Captain needs to check in for the entire team.
Can I bring by teams registrations and donation to the office before the Walk? Team Captains can bring their Teams registrations to our office (1200 N. 23rd St., Ste 101, Wilmington, NC) until Wednesday, March 23, 2011 if the Team wants to be included in the Top Fundraising Team and be eligible to receive special recognition the day of the Walk. If you need to make arrangements to come to the office after 4:30 pm, please call us to make an arrangement.
I have not registered for the Walk, can I register the day of the Walk? People can certainly register the day of the Walk. Registration/sign-in begins at 9:00 a.m.
I registered online to I need to sign in on the day of the Walk? Yes. We ask you to check-in at the Registration area, Shelter #5 the day of the event to receive your t-shirt.
Can I bring my dog to this event? This is a pet friendly event as long as your pet is friendly. Please only 2 dogs per person. A 6ft non-retractable leash is a must. You must clean up after your pet.

To register for the Walk, click here.

The 5th Annual Walk for Those Who Can't is made possible by our sponsors including
CBS10WILM, Queensboro Shirt Company, StarNewsMedia, Carrabbas's Italian Grill, Sunrise Broadcasting, SunnyFM 104.5, 98.7 Coastal Modern Rock, DogLiving Magazine, Port City Java, Brightmore of Wilmington, PawPrints Magazine, Dock Street Printing, Bax Photography and Wilmington Animal Healthcare.

Moses Last Walk

2011-03-10T16:12:00.000-05:00

For those of you who don’t know me, let me introduce myself. My name is Moses. And I am very proud to say I was the Founding Pup of Carolina Canines for Service.

I was born on October 15, 1996 and I came into Ricks life on December 1^st of that year and actually the very moment Carolina Canines went from a dream to reality. I know the elaborate temperament test that Rick does now, and let me tell you the night he picked me, there was no such test. I was one of 13 puppies, it was cold and rainy and Rick was literally knee deep in mud, so as he held up each of us, he looked at me second, and then after looking at all the rest of the puppies, the same way he chose me! Actually I chose him, he just didn’t know it yet. I was the biggest and most wiggly in the litter.

And so it began. It has been a tremendous ride, and I do mean ride. As a service dog in training, an actual service dog, a demonstration dog, a therapy dog and a Paws For Reading Dog, I have flown and/or driven from Washington State to Florida, from Salt Lake City to our marvelous capital of Washington D.C. Near as I can figure Rick and I have traveled well over a half a million miles together. I have met Senators, Congressmen, men and women of all ages, sizes, and shapes. I’ve seen the organization grow from an idea and dream to one that has provided more than $4 million dollars in services to the communities we serve, free of charge.

It is now March of 2011, and I am very old. And I have done my job. It is time for me to rest. So on Friday evening Rick has invited our veterinarian over to our home and Rick will escort me to the Rainbow Bridge. I will be surrounded by the ones who love me the most, and Rick will hold me in his arms one last time as I cross over the bridge to be met by a whole host of people and animals that will welcome me to the land where there is no pain and I can play like a little puppy again.

I am asking for your help one last time. I have had Rick and Pat create this fundraising page for me on The Walk for Those Who Can’t page, please donate. I have given everything I have had to this cause and would do it all over again. Let this be my biggest fundraising event.

I’ll be waiting patiently and will welcome all who knew me when you come to this place called the Rainbow Bridge.

Moses - October 1, 1996 to March 4, 2011

5th Annual Walk for Those Who Can't Registration Now Open

2011-02-03T14:10:00.000-05:00

WILMINGTON, N.C.- Registration is now open for the fifth annual fundraising walk benefiting Carolina Canines for Service, on Saturday, March 26 at 9 a.m., at Hugh MacRae Park, Wilmington, NC. Teams and individuals can register for the Walk For Those Who Can't online by visiting www.walkforthosewhocant.org or calling (910) 362-8194.

A minimum donation of $25 is required to participate in the walk. Children under 12 are free. On the day of the event, sign-in and on-site registration begins at 9 a.m. and the walk 1.5 mile walk around Hugh MacRae Park begins at 10 a.m. This is a dog friendly event and participants are encouraged to bring their canine companions.

Last year more close to 400 individuals participated in the Walk For Those Who Can’t, raising $50,000 for Carolina Canines’ programs. Funding was used to support growing programs within the organization such as the Carolina Canines for Veterans, Carolina Canines for Therapy and Paws for Reading and the service dog program. Service dogs, valued at $40,000 each, assist people with disabilities regain their independence with the help of the quality trained dogs that can complete over 350 tasks.

“The requests for our services continue to increase. The support of the public is critical to our ability to continue providing services such as quality trained service dogs, certified pet therapy teams and community awareness programs” said President and CEO Rick Hairston. “This walk is a wonderful opportunity to learn about our many programs and support our mission through a sponsorship, donation, or participation.

Support for the 2011 Walk For Those Who Can’t comes in part CBS 10 WILM, Queensboro Shirt Company, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, StarNews Media, Sunrise Broadcasting, SunnyFM 104.5, 98.7 Carolina Coastal Rock, DogLiving Magazine, Port City Java, PawPrints Magazine, Dock Street Printing, Wilmington Animal Healthcare and Bax Photography. Corporate sponsorship opportunities and volunteer opportunities for groups and individuals are still available by calling Carolina Canines at (910) 362-8194.

Carolina Canines for Service is a non-profit corporation dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to achieve greater independence. The group trains and places certified service dogs with the help of volunteer foster families, provides pet therapy certification classes and helps children in our community improve their reading skills. Since its inception in 1996, Carolina Canines has placed 43 service dogs and the value of all the programs exceeds $4.0 of services to our community. For more information, call (866) 910-3647 or visit www.carolinacanines.org.

###

We the People

2011-01-21T14:25:00.000-05:00

This week the world news looked back on the remarkable day when President John F. Kennedy gave his inaugural speech and challenged every American to “Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country". Every day while we sit in our cozy homes and snuggle into our warm beds at night, there is a man or woman who has given that up to defend our freedoms. They have left behind a mother and father, brother and sister, husband, wife and children and gone to a hostile and harsh land. When our service members return home, some are bruised and battered, missing limbs, shattered in ways many of us will never know, left to pick up the pieces of their lives and fit back into society. For some, the bruising and battering has gone further than the body. It has bruised and battered their inner most self and they struggle to once again find who they are.

We the people need to step up and serve the ones who have guarded and protected us. Some serve by volunteering in their local USO, others by packing boxes of goodies to be delivered to our service members, yet others help to physically build a home or a ramp. For Carolina Canines, we serve by providing a medical option in the form of a quality trained service dog. Not just any dog, a thoroughly assessed and highly trained creature that will change a persons’ life.

This week, we celebrated the partnering of a Carolina Canines for Veterans service dog team. One person, who has served his country and one dog trained to serve that individual. Meet James and Abel. James served his country as a Combat Engineer in the United States Marine Corps. He has been deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. In June 2006 during his mission in Ramadi, Iraq he was injured by an IED.

Service Dog Abel was rescued by a Wilmington, NC rescue group, Tails U Win, and provided to Carolina Canines for Veterans after he passed a temperament evaluation. Abel then began his training which took place initially at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Brig before being transferred with the Carolina Canines for Veterans program to the Naval Consolidated Brig- Charleston. Abel completed over 2,000 hours of training to be ready to serve.

James continues to serve his country and works on healing his wounds. Our hope is that Service Dog Abel will make it possible to regain more independence and the quality of life he and his family once knew. We the people, helping those who have served and serving our country.

Reason, Season or a Lifetime

2010-12-29T10:05:00.000-05:00

This week my world was rocked with the news of the untimely passing of a friend. I did not know him well, but he came into my life because of a four-legged friend and he touched my heart. I can only hope that I touched his.

Life takes us down many paths. Sometimes the path we take is not always easy. There is hurt, physical or mental pain, good choices and those not so good. There are hard times and times that are less hard. There is laughter, joy, and tears.

As the new year approaches consider how with just one smile, one kind word, might be a reason or a season for just one person.   That is all it takes to change someone's life, one person, caring.

This message is dedicated to the friend that has left this world all to soon. You know who you are and I pray we meet again in another season, but for a lifetime. - From my heart, Pat

Reason, Season, or Lifetime
People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.
Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. — Unknown

The Season of Giving

2010-12-22T17:48:00.000-05:00

Christmas came a few days early for the Carolina Canines for Veterans service dogs in training thanks to Harry Barker Inc. Carol Perkins, Founder, saw a recent article in the Post and Courier about the Carolina Canines for Veterans program conducted at the Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston and knew it was just the type of thing she wanted to support. After a few phone calls and exchanges of emails, several of the U. S. Marines handling the dogs, Rick and Pat Hairston, service dogs in training Elder, Eden and Angel, Service Dog Titus and Therapy Dog Delta Mae visited the Harry Barker facility, met the incredible staff and had a little shopping spree. The dogs and people were like kids in a candy store; they had so much fun!

Thanks to the generosity of businesses like Harry Barker Inc, Carolina Canines is able to continue to serve our community with programs like Carolina Canines for Veterans, Carolina Canines, Carolina Canines for Therapy and Paws for Reading. Not one of these programs would be possible without our donors, supporters and volunteers.

Thank you. Two simple words that can’t be said enough. Because of your generous support, George has a smile in his voice and a bounce in his step with his new service dog Ruth. Andy can balance better with Service Dog Manna to pick up items he drops or retrieve the telephone when he needs it. After two years of sleepless nights, Donald has Service Dog Holly to ease his night terrors and help him deal with everyday life. Brian is more confident in public because of the skills his Service Dog Jada knows to help with his post traumatic stress disorder. People in nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities are smiling with a visit from Carolina Canines for Therapy teams. Children are learning to read better because of the Paws for Reading teams. Thank you for your continued support and belief in the people we serve and the mission we do.

The Need. The need is great and it continues. Census data estimates there are 32 million disabled adults (aged 18 or over) in the United States, plus another 5 million children and youth (under age 18). The number of disabled U.S. Veterans has increased by 25% since 2001; 2.9 million U.S. Veterans.

The Wait. People are waiting for the gift of independence. More people in our communities want a visit from a pet therapy team and children need your help to learn to read.

The Ask. In this season of giving, ask yourself what you can do to help someone in need. Foster a service dog in training, sponsor a dog with a monthly financial gift, give an end-of-year gift, train and become a certified Carolina Canines for Therapy team, or volunteer. Get involved and experience the joy of giving in a whole new way.

The Most Important Gift

2010-12-13T07:12:00.000-05:00

It's so easy to lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. Parents struggle to somehow, through all of the commercialism, teach their children that it is not about Santa, presents,Christmas trees, decorations, parties and sweet treats. It seems to get harder each year. The retail stores begin setting up Christmas Shops as early as September and the Christmas music begins playing before Thanksgiving! Black Friday and Cyber Monday ads flood the newspapers and internet trying to suck us into the spending frenzy. How do you compete with that? Christians, look to the Gospel of Luke and read the "Christmas Story" each year to their children as a reminder that this is the true meaning of Christmas. As the story is read, one can't help but hear the voice of Linus from a Charlie Brown Christmas as he declares to Charlie Brown this true meaning of Christmas. While the show first aired back in the 1960's, it's message may be even more relevant today. So go ahead, click here to listen - really listen - to it's message. We hope that you and your family are able to cleverly navigate through the chaos and smoke screens and keep your eyes on the prize of this glorious season. It is, after all, the most important gift we will ever receive.

Wishing you and your family a most joyous Christmas!

Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart." ~ Washington Irving (1783-1859)

Giving Thanks

2010-11-23T07:02:00.000-05:00

Brian Jarrell enlisted in the Marine Corps in December 2001, never knowing his service to our country would change his life, significantly. While deployed to Haiti and Fallujah, Iraq, Jarrell served as an ambulance driver and supported operational needs for humanitarian work. In September 2005, Jarrell returned to the states and started showing signs of PTSD, major depressive disorder, anger, insomnia and anxiety. Deployed again in 2006, Jarrell to Al Asad, Iraq, where he was a vehicle recovery operator. After his tour in Iraq, he became a Marine Corps recruiter and while on recruiting duty, Jarrell's symptoms became increasingly worse and he started getting help at the local Veterans Administration Medical Center in Syracuse, New York. After three months, he was sent to the Wounded Warrior Detachment at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. There he received treatment for his symptoms and in April he was sent to the Wounded Warrior Battalion-East aboard MCB Camp Lejeune for continued therapy. After learning about Carolina Canines for Veterans, Sgt Jarrell working with his case manager at Wounded Warrior Battalion-East, applied for a service dog.

On November 14th, Brian met Jada, a Boxer-Labrador mix rescued from Adopt-An-Angel, a Wilmington based rescue group. Jada was with Adopt-An-Angel for several months; she was a real handful and often overlooked or her trial adoptions did not work out. There was a reason for her not being adopted and when Carolina Canines was in need of another dog for the training program, her mission to serve a service member through her training in the Carolina Canines for Veterans program was realized. Jada was in training about 14 months including the transition time due to the program relocation to the Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston.

Brain and Jada spent an intensive week of team training in Charleston so he could learn to work with his service dog. Jada will work specifically to help mitigate Sgt. Jarrell's issues related to PTSD. Of his new partner Jarrell says, "Me and Jada are starting to really bond. I am having a great time with her. She is a true blessing. I really need something like this in my life."

To read more about the placement, visit

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/nov/19/a-soldiers-best-friend/

Carolina Canines for Veterans is proud to serve our service members that need the assistance of a quality trained service dog. Thank you to our volunteers, supporters, funders and fans for helping to make our mission possible and allowing us to serve our community.

Thank a Veteran, Not Just Today, Everyday

2010-11-11T10:09:00.000-05:00

"Veterans Day is an annual United States holiday honoring military veterans. A federal holiday, it is observed on November 11. It is also celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world, falling on November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.)" (Wikipedia).

Veterans Day gives each of us a time to pause and reflect on the men, women and even the dogs that have served our country. Not just served, defended her, and our freedoms, sometimes for the sake of their own lives. As I pause to reflect, many men in my life have served, my Dad was in the Navy, my brother in the Air Force and my husband served in the Air Force during the Vietnam Era, but I was still being a child during most of the Vietnam conflict and did not fully understand the impact other then the memorable protests and uprising. As I listen to those that served during that era, I am saddened by the lack of support for our men and women who were doing a job asked of them, the same as the men and women who serve today.

Today, my life has been touched by the men and women who have served or currently serve our great nation because I am blessed to be a part of a growing organization that works to provide needed services to our wounded warriors. I see and listen to their sacrifices and struggles to regain their identity and learn who they are after battling devastating injuries, physical, mental or spiritual. I listen as they reach out to find hope and a pathway in a world that has changed and shook them to their very core. I listen and I hear, not just with my ears but my heart. And, I triumph in their achievements.

Today, I thank the Veterans in my life that have opened my eyes, my mind and my heart. Today, I thank you for allowing me to have the honor of serving you in some small way because of Carolina Canines for Veterans. Thank you for touching my life. Thank you for letting me be a small part of who you have become. Next week, Carolina Canines for Veterans will work with the 11th Veteran to receive a service dog from the program. Eleven lives we have been able to touch one person at a time. To all the Ed's, Leslie's and Donald's that I have the honor to know, thank you for allowing Carolina Canines for Veterans serve you.

Whirlwind

2010-11-01T15:10:00.000-04:00

This time of year, I think about the winds whirling the fallen leaves to the ground and sometimes creating a frenzy of leaves swirling in front of you. That swirl of leaves is every bit the way we might be feeling at Carolina Canines. Seems October has whirled it's way to the end of the month in a blink of an eye. From one event to another we have been chasing our tails to try to catch up with ourselves.

Myrna Joseph presents Service Dog Titus with a check

Special thanks go our to the Shallotte Middle School for a car wash fundraiser Ms. Atkinson's class held as she continues her "Pay It Forward" teaching to our children of the community. They raised over $300 for the Carolina Canines for Veterans program. Also, thanks to the Moose Family Lodge on Carolina Beach Rd for hosting a Brunswick Stew dinner and raising funds to support our programs. Community support is key to our success and we appreciate each and every one of you.

Mid-October found Rick, Pat and Service Dog Titus presenting at a national sales event in California and then returning east for the first Charleston, SC fundraiser held by the Charleston Referral Exchange, Hounds for Heroes. The event was a great success and plans are starting for a bigger event for 2011. Thanks to our new Charleston friends for your hard work for an inaugural event.

Back in Wilmington, Jonathon, Bob and the staff of Carrabba's Italian Grill outdid themselves with a scrumptious luncheon benefiting Carolina Canines. If you missed it this year, we are sure there will be a chance in 2011.

And, back to Charleston for the inaugural event for Passport 72, A Global Masquerade. Passport 72 is an emerging organization dedicated to generating financial and support resources for local charities through the sale of unique home furnishings and accessories. Stay tuned for the debut of the products at their online store. We had a sneak peek of some items at the masquerade and the products are beautiful.

November will find us gearing up for the holidays with the sale of fresh cut Frazer fir Christmas trees in both Wilmington and Charleston. Don't miss your chance to get your Christmas tree and help a great cause all at the same time. Visit the online store to order today.

In the midst of the whirlwind, we have not forgotten our true mission of providing people with disabilities service dogs. Just before the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be one more Veteran giving thanks for the help and support you provide for our programs as the first Veteran to receive his service dog from the program at the Naval Consolidated Brig will begin his team training mid-November. Stay tuned to read about this individual and meet him and his new service dog.

Fall... A Happening Time Of Year

2010-10-05T16:11:00.000-04:00

Now that the hot days of summer are behind us and the cooler weather has arrived, things are jumping busy again for the crew at Carolina Canines for Service. In reality, we are always busy, but there are just times it seems like a balancing act has to occur to be all the locations we need to be and get work accomplished back at the shop.

If you are looking for something to do or want to support our programs, there are plenty of options to choose from. Or, support all of them.. we'll love you for that! Here's a glance at what is happening on the next couple of weeks:

Coastal Hounds Walk the Town - Join Shallotte and Leland Rotary Clubs for the 2nd Annual Coastal Hounds Walk the Town on October 9, 2010 from 10 am- 1 pm at Shallotte Middle School. This event supports Carolina Canines for Veterans. For more information visit Coastal Hounds Walk the Town.

Military Appreciation Day - October 16, 2010 from 10 am - Noon aboard USS North Carolina Battleship. An opportunity to show our gratitude and appreciation for our troops who are embattled in the trenches for our country. For those who have served in the past or are currently serving a tour of duty, we want to thank them for putting their lives on the line and an opportunity to support the friends and families of those serving in the military.

Hounds for Hero's - A Canine Good Time, October 17, 2010 from 3 to 6 pm Sweetgrass Pavilion at Wild Dunes Resort. Sponsored by Charleston Referral Exchange and Wild Dunes, Charleston's Island Resort. Advanced Tickets $15; $20 at door; Children under 7yrs Free, 7-13yrs $10. Food, Live Music, Local Vendors, Silent Auction, Prize Drawings, Beer and Wine Available at $2 For more information and to purchase tickets visit the Charleston Referral Exchange.

Carrabba's Fall Italian Feast - The second annual Fall Italian Feast at Carrabba's Wilmington, NC on Friday, October 22, 2010 seatings at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; limited number of take-out orders beginning at 11:00 a.m. Tickets $25.00. To Pre-order your tickets, visit www.carolinacanines.org, call 910-362-1818 or email volunteer@carolinacanines.org.

A Global Masquerade -Passport 72 invites you to join us on Friday, October 29th, 7 p.m. in the ballroom of the prestigious Harbour Club in downtown Charleston for an exciting evening of mystery, intrigue and giving we are calling A Global Masquerade.

Christmas Tree Fundraiser Wilmington, NC - pre-order a fresh-cut Christmas trees from Sunnyside Christmas Tree Farm. Pre-order, October 1- November 1, 2010 for delivery on December 4, 2010, Wilmington, NC, click here for information or to order on line.

Trees for the Troops - Charleston, SC - coming in November the Charleston community can pre-order fresh-cut Christmas trees to support the programs of Carolina Canines for Service.
We at Carolina Canines appreciate your continued support and we know the community we serve appreciates you too!

Witnessing the American Spirit in Our Volunteers

2010-09-18T21:21:00.000-04:00

The Engles,
CCT Team of the Year

During one of the most severe economic crises of our lifetime, while many Americans are facing extreme hardship, losing jobs, homes and businesses, the American spirit is alive and well. Americans have responded to this crisis by serving. Approximately 1.6 million more volunteers served in 2009 than in 2008, making this the largest single-year increase in the number of volunteers since 2003. This number is taken directly from the 2010 Volunteering in America report published by the Corporation for National and Community Service. View the full report here. Volunteerism lives in the heart of Americans. It is what unites us as a nation and demonstrates America's strong sense of community. Our desire to work together and help others is the very foundation of our country and one of the main reasons our country is the greatest nation on earth. We are so proud of our volunteers and the work they do to serve the mission of Carolina Canines. Simply put, we could not function without you. Thank you for your selfless giving , endless dedication and faith in our organization.

The Stoners,
CCT Team of the Year

Sponsored by the Board of Directors, on September 18th we gathered together for the annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic. Sharing our success, because of the commitment of our Volunteers, we celebrated the people who give an average of 2500 hours each month as foster puppy parents raising service dogs to give someone greater independence, office and event volunteers, Carolina Canines for Therapy (CCT) teams in Wilmington and Raleigh and our corporate sponsors that come together to make each piece a part of the whole. Today was a day to share in friendships new and old, human and canine and to celebrate the service of others. A special thanks to the Board of Directors for arranging, organizing and serving the food catered by Angie's of Chris's Restaurant.

Laura Kranchalk presenting
Caroline O'Brien
Overall Volunteer of the Year

Acknowledging our Volunteers is always a special time. Each year, we look back on the work of our volunteers and we recognize just a few who have stood above the crowd and served above and beyond. This year, we had the privilege of honoring some special people. A few of the volunteers recognized were Katherine and Walter Engle and therapy dog Simeon and Nanc and Joe Stoner with Sarah and Hannah as Carolina Canines for Therapy Volunteers of the Year and Caroline O'Brien as Overall Volunteer of the Year. It is a pleasure to share the blessings these folks are in our community and to our organization.

Today, it was our honor to serve you. Thank you.

(Photos by Glenn Blackwood)

Carolina Canines for Veterans 2010 Newman's Own Award Recipient

2010-09-01T15:36:00.000-04:00

General James Cartwright, Vice-Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Presents Awards in Pentagon Ceremony

General James Cartwright, USMC, Vice-Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, provided remarks at the eleventh annual Newman's Own Award Ceremony at the Pentagon on September 1, 2010, as awards totaling $75,000 were presented to eight non-profit organizations for their innovative programs to improve military quality of life.

Carolina Canines for Veterans was a $10,000 award recipient of the 2010 Newman's Own Award. In 2008, CCFS launched a national program, Carolina Canines for Veterans, to assist wounded warriors with a quality trained service dog using military prisoners to train the dogs rescued from local shelters. Operating entirely on private donations, CCFS trains military prisoners to raise and train each service dog. While there are other service dog training programs for wounded warriors, Carolina Canines for Veterans is the first of its kind to work within the walls of a military prison making it unique in the United States. This is the second year that Carolina Canines for Veterans has received the Newman's Own Award.

Newman's Own, Fisher House Foundation, and Military Times Media Group sponsored the competition, which seeks to reward ingenuity and innovation for programs that benefit service men and women and their families. The challenge is straightforward: "Present an innovative plan to improve the quality of life for the military community and receive funding to carry out the plans."

General Cartwright was joined by Tom Indoe, President of Newman's Own; Fisher House Foundation trustee Tammy Fisher; and a representative from Military Times Media Group, in presenting the awards.

Including this year's awards, the annual competition that began in 1999 has recognized 133 programs with awards totaling $650,000.

A total of 138 entries were received for the 2010 program. Six judges evaluated each entry based on the organization's impact to the respective communities, creativity and innovation.

Remembering Katrina

2010-08-25T07:11:00.000-04:00

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

2010-08-11T13:10:00.000-04:00

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

2010-07-19T12:14:00.000-04:00

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

2010-07-09T16:08:00.002-04:00

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

2010-06-04T13:11:00.005-04:00

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.

And Then There were Five (legs)

2010-05-14T13:53:00.004-04:00

Andy met Manna, a rescued two year old Border Collie mix, in May 2010 almost 5 1/2 years after is Alive Day. Andrew Butterworth is a retired U.S. Army National Guard Sergeant who proudly served our country in Iraq. Andy's life was forever changed on November 15. Members of their platoon were on patrol near the town of Tuz Kharmatu, north of Baghdad, doing reconnaissance on a place they'd never been before in the turret of a Bradley fighting vehicle, an armored personnel carrier. There were six soldiers in the back of the vehicle and 20 soldiers in their convoy, but Andy and his lieutenant were the only two seriously injured; the insurgents were killed.

Andy was familiar with Carolina Canines; he and recipient Ed Salau (Tales & Tails Christmas 2007), 1st LT NC Army National Guard, Retired, have been through a lot together. Injured when the grenade exploded between them on that fateful day in November 2004, Andy and Ed journeyed together on their path of healing from room mates at Walter Reed, seeing who had their stitches out first, who healed the fastest, who received their temporary leg first to receiving their Purple Hearts. And, now, Andy follows a similar path as Ed, having gained a new four-legged friend to help him with his mobility.

The partnering of Andy with Service Dog Manna is the 8th pairing of a wounded veteran with a service dog from the Carolina Canines for Veterans (CCV) program. Manna was trained by the prisoners at the Marine Corp Base Camp Lejeune Brig. Manna's story is like many discarded dogs. She was found on the streets of Wilmington, NC by a former employee of Queensboro Shirt Company severely underweight and missing most of her hair. When the person could not keep her, Manna was turned over to Tails U Win rescue for care and adoption. In November 2008, Carolina Canines was looking to add dogs into the CCV program, Manna, formerly know as Madison, was a good candidate.

Through this pairing of Veteran and Service Dog, one thing has prevailed, Andy's sense of humor. Fondly known as Butter, Andy now has his own "bread" to share life with. Andy is currently enrolled in college in Florida. He and Manna will return home to continue their bonding and work together as Andy learns to use his new friend to assist with his daily needs giving him four new legs.

Walk for Those Who Can't Thank You

2010-05-03T17:59:00.011-04:00

Our fourth annual Walk For Those Who Can’t was a great success, thanks to you!

Thanks to the support of our sponsors and donors, teams and individuals walkers we were able to raise almost $50,000. There were 37 teams, 450 walkers and 300 dogs joining us for this years’ event. The money raised will be used to support our mission and help us continue to help others.

Thanks to our sponsors including Home Health Testing, Talk Inc., The Queensboro Shirt Company, DogLiving, WECT, Brightmore of Wilmington, Wilmington Orthotics & Prosthetics, Ruth Arnold Signs & Graphics, Port City Java, Sunrise Broadcasting along with SunnyFM and Surf 98.3, Papa John's, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty , Harris Teeter- Long Leaf Mall and Oleander, Health Source of Wilmington, and PawPrints Magazine.

A special thank you to our co-masters of ceremony, Sally Pressman and Rhoda Griffis of the Lifetime TV series Army Wives and to Mayor Bill Saffo, Leslie Smith and DJ Jay Tatum; your support of our programs is appreciated.

Thank you to the donors of fabulous items for the raffle including Hilton Wilmington Riverside, Jerry's Fine Dining, Porters Neck Yoga Spa, Residence Inn Landfall, Riverboat Landing, and Ruth Chris Steak House.

To our hospitality sponsors The Bagel Basket, Costco, Danette Brown- Pampered Chef, Jamie Swanson-Pampered Chef , Great Harvest Bread Company, Hercules Bags, Inc., Indian Spring Water, and McAlisters Deli, thank you.

Thank you to Carrabba's Italian Grill for the gathering for the Top Team, The Dawg Pile. And, South Beach Grill for the gift certificate for the Top Individual Fundrasier, Nina Dunn.

Thank you to the Veterinary practices that sponsored the dog bandanas: Pine Valley Animal Hospital, The Mobil Vet - House Calls for Pets, Forest Hills Veterinary Hospital, Coastal Carolina Animal Hospital.

And, thank you to the Goody Bag sponsors including Casey Petraceuticals , Great Clips, Kornerstone Pizza, Pet's Pal Inn and Westco Woodworks.

Thank you to the Team Captains and Team and the individuals for their support of our programs and raising money for the Walk for Those Who Can’t. And, the thank you would not be complete without extending our sincere appreciation to the Walk for Those Who Can’t Co-Chairs, Committees and Volunteers. As a non-profit we rely on the generosity of individuals like you coming together to help us help continue to help others through fundraising events.

We look forward to you joining with us to take strides for independence at the 5th Walk For Those Who Can’t on March 26, 2011.

Thank You to Our Volunteers

2010-04-21T19:36:00.005-04:00

During National Volunteer Week, Carolina Canines for Service extends our sincere appreciation for each and every one of our Volunteers. You are the cornerstone of this organization. Without you, our clients would not have the service dog they need to make them more independent, people in the hospitals, assisted living and nursing homes would not smile as bright during a day, children would not learn to love to read, we would not be able to be at the many events in our community and fundraisers like the Walk for Those Who Can't could not take place.

Thank you for the many hours you give each week, month and year!

Sincerely,

Rick Hairston

Access, It's the Law

2010-03-31T09:37:00.007-04:00

In a recent news story, a service dog was denied access to a local store in Castle Hayne. The sad truth is, this happens every day in our community and throughout this country irrespective of local and federal laws. There are several businesses that Carolina Canines is aware of that regularly deny access to service dogs and service dogs in training. Measures are and have been taken to educate the business owner and there staff. Sometimes those measures include legal action.

While Carolina Canines provides people with disabilities quality trained service dogs, we are also here to educate the community and business owners. Here are a few simple differences businesses owners should be aware of:

A companion dog is just that; a companion. It is a persons’ pet. And, while we love our pets, most have not been appropriately socialized and should not be allowed to accompany the owner everywhere they go.

A therapy dog is a person’s pet that has been trained to volunteer with the person in the community. These animals provide affection and comfort to many people in different environments. THIS DOG HAS NO LEGAL ACCESS and can only gain entrance to a facility by invitation. There are many organizations that train therapy dogs, but the standards of training are all different.

A service dog is one that is trained to do specific tasks for a person with a disability. The Codes of Federal Regulation for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 define a service animal as "any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair [sic], or fetching dropped items." There are some exceptions, including churches, private clubs, federal courts, military bases, and Native American tribal council offices. And, federal laws protect people with disabilities partnered with service animals from discrimination in housing, Fair Housing Amendments Act, and on aircraft, Air Carrier Access Act.

Businesses must allow service animals into their establishment. But, it is often a difficult task determining the validity of the animal entering your business. The sad reality of the ADA is identification is not mandated, many disabilities are not visible and a proprietor cannot ask if the person is disabled. The business owner can however ask what tasks the service animal provides, such as “How does the animal serve you?” And, for both business owners and people with service animals, if the animal is disruptive such as barking, growling, defecating or urinating in the business, the establishment has every right to ask the person to remove the service animal.

The reality is countless individuals are perpetrating crimes by falsely accessing local businesses with their “pocket” pets or other animals. This is a violation of federal law, the ADA, and North Carolina state statues; both violations punishable by law. Worst yet, it makes it more and more difficult for people with legitimate service animals to have the access they indeed need to live independent lives.

Thank you to our 4th Annual Walk for Those Who Can't Sponsors

2010-03-24T09:23:00.004-04:00

Thank you to the sponsors of the 4th Annual Walk for Those Who Can't. With just 3 days before the Walk, Carolina Canines could continue the work we do without your support.

Home Health Testing
Talk Inc.
Queensboro
DogLiving
WECT
Brightmore of Wilmington
Wilmington Orthotics & Prosthetics
Ruth Arnold Signs & Graphics
Port City Java
Sunrise Broadcasting
Papa John's
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty
Harris Teeter
Health Source of Wilmington
PawPrints Magazine

Carrabba's Italian Grill
Hilton Riverside
Jerry's Fine Dining
Porters Neck Yoga Spa
Residence Inn Landfall
Riverboat Landing

Ruth Chris Steak House
The Bagel Basket
Costco
Danette Brown- Pampered Chef
Jamie Swanson, Pampered Chef
Great Harvest Bread Company
Hercules Bags, Inc.
Indian Spring Water
McAlisters Deli
Pine Valley Animal Hospital
The Mobil Vet - House Calls for Pets
Forest Hills Veterinary Hospital
Coastal Carolina Animal Hospital
Casey Petraceuticals
Great Clips
Kornerstone Pizza
Pet’s Pal Inn
Westco Woodworks

There is still time to join us on Saturday, March 27th beginning at 9 am. Register online at http://www.walkforthosewhocant.org/. For a $25 doantion received an event tee-shirt, goody bag and meet Sally Pressman and Rhoda Griffis from the Lifetime TV series Army Wives.

Walk for Thse Who Can't - Team Questions

2010-03-22T15:49:00.004-04:00

With the Walk for Those Who Can't just a few days away, there are a number of questions coming in from teams. Here are the most frequenly asked and how Carolina Canines is handling this:

Some people have accidentally clicked on the "support this team" instead of "join this team" and did not get the chance to get a T-shirt. Is there a way that they can change it to join the team and get the shirt? If you give us the names (walkinfo@carolinacanines.org) of the people that “supported the team” rather than “Joined the Team, we can handle that on our end. However, these folks need to sign the release which that can do using the attached form and make sure these are bought to the office on Wednesday, 3/24 at 7 pm or turned in at the Walk.
People have registered under Join this team and the amount I've raised is not showing. How do I know how much I've raised? Online registrations are tallied separate from donations in Firstgiving.com. Carolina Canines will be totaling online registrations + donations + offline donations and registrations for a Team Total. The same goes for an individual.
When can a Team Captain pick up the T-shirts for my team? Team t-shirts and goody bags can be picked up at the Walk on Saturday , March 27, 2010 beginning at 9 am. There will be a Team Registration table at Huge MacRae Park, Shelter 6 for all pre-registered teams.

Team Captains can bring their Teams registrations to our office (1200 N. 23rd St., Ste 101, Wilmington, NC) until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 if the Team wants to be included in the Top Fundraising Team and be eligible to receive special recognition the day of the Walk.

Individuals are encouraged to bring their registrations to our office the same day to be included in the Top Individual Fundraiser an be eligible to receive special recognition the day of the Walk.

Best Practices Recognition from Firstgivng.com

2010-03-18T15:09:00.006-04:00

Imagine how excited I was to see in my inbox today an email from firstgiving.com in their weekly feature, Best Practices. Wow, recognition, from a national organization whose goal is to help people raise as much as they can for the causes they care about. The Best Practices feature goes out to thousands of users providing tips and techniques to help maximize the use of Firstgiving. Not only did the article feature Carolina Canines for Service, but it featured a recent Carolina Canines blog article about using firstgiving.com for the 4th Annual Walk for Those Who Can't.

Have you used Firstgiving to register for the 4th Annual Walk for Those Who Can't? It really is easy and with just a few clicks you can register as an individual or form a team. There's still time. The Walk is still over a week away. What are you waiting for?

Walk for Those Who Can't - Focus on Our Sponsors- Dog Living Magazine

2010-03-04T13:45:00.005-05:00

A few days ago we let you all meet one of our many wonderful sponsors for our upcoming walk, The Walk for Those Who Can’t. Home Health Testing is not our only sponsor though! Check out Dog Living Magazine below in our Focus on our Sponsors blog series.

Dog Living Magazine is a dog lover’s magazine published here in North Carolina. Providing entertaining and informative articles, Dog Living Magazine is a must have for anybody that leads a dog-friendly lifestyle. They have been a huge part of our team here at Carolina Canines, being a media sponsor every year for the Walk for Those Who Can’t!!!

Dog Living Magazine is not only a publication; they are also a platform for responsible dog ownership and they support the efforts of animal rescues and other animal-related non-profits. If you don’t already have a copy of the recent Dog Living Magazine, you should definitely check it out!!! You can find their magazine in over 250 locations throughout central and southeastern North Carolina. Look in your area’s pet businesses, animal shelters, coffee shops or even restaurants and you will be sure to find a copy!

And, did you know that Dog Living Magazine has two canines on staff! Rescue dogs, Ollie and August, are regular contributors to Dog Living Magazine. Ollie is the Assistant Editor of the magazine and August barks out an advice column, which is translated and typed up for the magazine by the Editor-In-Chief!

Walk for Those Who Can't - Firstgiving Tip

2010-03-04T06:26:00.004-05:00

Are you using Firstgiving.com/carolinacanines to raise money for the Walk for Those Who Can't? If you have supporters that want to donate offline (i.e. not using Firstgiving), that's okay. Here are some simple tips for recording your offline donations on your Firstgivng.com fundraising page directly from Firstgiving.com

How do I display offline donations on my fundraising page?
If someone donates with a personal check, there are two ways you can add them to your fundraising page.

Type their donation amount into your offline donation total.

Add their name, date, amount, or comment to your personal message.

Not sure how to add these? Learn how to edit your page.

If someone donates with cash, you can add them to your donor list by making a donation on their behalf to your page; just be sure to enter their name in the Display Name field.

Walk for Those Who Can't- Focus on Our Sponsors

2010-02-26T15:21:00.004-05:00

We have a great team of sponsors for our upcoming event, The Walk for Those Who Can’t, and we want to tell you a little more about what great things they do--besides help out our organization! We will be showcasing a few of our sponsors over the next few weeks leading to the walk so that you can check them out too!

Home Health Testing is a main contributor to our upcoming event, The Walk for Those Who Can’t! As a company, Home Health Testing provides FDA approved medical home test kits and home drug test kits to individuals to use in the privacy and convenience of their home. They are an internet company located here in Wilmington, NC.

Did you know that you could test cholesterol levels, thyroids, or even for allergies IN YOUR OWN HOME!? While their most popular test is a home HIV test, the varieties of drug testing kits they offer are gaining popularity. All of their testing supplies are much cheaper than anywhere else and you get them delivered right to your door!

After speaking with Dana Jaunzemis, the President of Home Health Testing, she said the reason she chose to be a sponsor for The Walk for Those Who Can’t is because of the compelling stories of the “Triple Win” video that really showed her what we are all about here at Carolina Canines for Service! Ms. Jaunzemis explains, “we love that they rescue dogs and work with prisoners in addition to the great gift of providing a service dog that gives someone greater independence.”

Looks like we aren’t the only ones who bring our dogs to work either! Home Health Testing is a dog friendly workplace, and it would not be uncommon to see Rose or Oliver (featured in the picture) in their office!

Come out on March 27 to the Walk for Those Who Can’t to meet the Home Health Testing team, “The Dawg Pile”!

Using Firstgiving for Walk for Those Who Can't

2010-02-21T19:23:00.003-05:00

Firstgiving is a great tool for registration and online giving for an event like the Walk for Those Who Can't. But, with any tool, it can be confusing. There's been questions on how a person or team can see there Walk for Those Who Can't fudnraising total so, here are some commons questions and answers about using Firstgiving.

I registered for the 2010 Walk for Those Who Can’t and created a fundraising page, my amount raised still says $0.00 on my page?
Donations for registrations are tallied separately in Firstgiving from Donations made to your Fundraising Page.

How will my Team or Individual Total be determined?
Each person that registers for the 2010 Walk for Those Who Can’t makes a donation of $25 and can also create a fundraising page and set a fundraising goal. The fundraising goal does not include the registration donation.

When the Walk Planning Team tallies the donations to determine the Top Fundraising Team and Individual, we will include:
a) Registration donations for each registered person on a team or each individual
b) Donations made to the Team or Individual online using Firstgiving
c) Donations made to the Team or Individual offline

Here’s an example:
-Georgeanna has a team, The Legal Beagles
-They have a goal to raise $500; So far they have raised $0.00 online with Firstgiving
-The Legal Beagles Team has received $25 in offline donations
-The Legal Beagles have 5 adults and 1 child under 12 registered for the Walk with total registration donations of $150.00
-The Legal Beagles Team Total to date is $175.00 (Online registrations + online donations + offline donations)

How can I see who has registered on my team?

On the Team Page, in the upper right corner, click on the Team Name and another screen opens to show all the member of the team that have registered.

Walk for Those Who Can't -Tips for Creating a Fundraising Page

2010-02-19T18:29:00.004-05:00

Here are some tips for individuals to register for the 2010 Walk for Those Who Can’t, joining a team and creating a fundraising page

First, register for the event and join a team:

Visit our nonprofit page at http://www.firstgiving.com/carolinacanines

Click Get Started and Select 2010 Walk for Those Who Can’t
To register for the event, click “Yes, register online now.”
Select the registration type, the number of people you’re registering, and read and agree to the waiver, then click Continue.
If you’ve used Firstgiving before, log in to your account. If not, enter your email and click Continue.
Fill out your account details and click Continue.
Next, enter your registration details and click Continue.
Join or add your team.
If you’re registering another person, enter their registration details and add them to a team.
Confirm your registration submission.

Next, create your fundraising page:

Click Create Your Page at the bottom of the registration confirmation screen.
Choose your web address and click Create Your Page.
You’ve successfully created your page.
To tell your story, add photos, set a fundraising target, then click Personalize and Share Your Page. Once you’ve edited it, click Save and Continue.

Now, click Email Your Friends to share your fundraising page with your community.

It's that easy and you are on the way to helping the mission of Carolina Canines for the 4th Annual Walk for Those Who Can't.

Dog Show of Another Kind

2010-02-16T16:26:00.003-05:00

While many people are watching the Olympics, others fancy watching the canine breeds strut their stuff in Madison Square Garden show ring. It’s the season and like many dog enthusiasts, maybe you and your canine friend have been sharing some time in front of the TV watching the most prestigious dog show in United States at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. It may be the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting or Herding breeds and varieties that you love to watch or even the Sporting, Working, and Terrier breeds, but whichever the breed, these pooches are likely the most primped and pampered you will see.

As for us, we know some pretty incredible dogs. These are the ones that were saved from death to be trained as service dogs for veterans in the Carolina Canines for Veterans program or raised from puppyhood to help someone in the civilian community. We might not know if the dogs are pure bred or which group the dog might be shown in, but there is one thing we do know, these dogs will help someone gain back the independence they lost because of a disability. Be it a missing limb or a traumatic brain injury, balance issues, multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury, a service dog can and does change the life of just one person at a time.

If you are amazed at the dedication of the show handlers at Westminster Dog Show, what is truly amazing are the many volunteers that commit to raising a service dog for someone in need. Their dedication is a gift of love and compassion, many hours of work and the ultimate gift of giving the dog to someone with a greater need than their own. Someone is waiting for you right now to just say yes. Yes, I want to raise and train a dog for someone with a disability. It’s as easy as that, just say yes.

Registering for the Walk for Those Who Can't, Just A Click Away

2010-02-12T19:10:00.009-05:00

Are you interested in registering for the Walk For Those Who Can’t, but you are not sure where to begin? Here’s some simple tips to get started.

Do you want to form your own team?
Visit http://firstgiving.com/carolinacanines and click Register for An Event and select the 2010 Walk for Those Who Can’t and follow the instructions on screen to:

Register online ($25 donation required)
Create your own fundraising page
Register off-line

Once you have made your selection, you can easily create your own fundraising page and recruit people to your team or ask family, friends and co-workers to sponsor you by making a donation

Do you want to join an existing team?
Visit http://firstgiving.com/carolinacanines and click Join a Team

Register online ($25 donation required)
Create your own fundraising page
Register off-line
Locate your team and join them.

Here is a link to some helpful Q&As: http://help.firstgiving.com/

Folks are welcomed and encouraged to register for the Walk, create a team, and recruit others to help you reach your goal. There will be special recognition for the Top Fundraising Team and Individual! The total of registrations plus donations will be used to determine the Top Fundraising Team and Individual. All registrations must be completed by Wednesday, March 24, 2010 to be eligible.

Come out and meet the Army Wives and let’s make this the best Walk for Those Who Can’t yet!

Volunteerism, the Heart of A Non-Profit

2010-02-09T10:26:00.005-05:00

This month has been a busy one for volunteer awareness. Many of the large local businesses graciously opened their doors and welcomed local non-profits in to showcase the work they do in the community and talk with their employees about volunteer opportunities. In the past few weeks Carolina Canines visited with Corning employees and enjoyed time at the PPD Charity Day; a job well done by the employees who coordinated these events.

This past weekend, Star News hosted the Conscience Fair, thanks to Si Cantwell and all his work organizing and recruiting non-profits. The Conscience Fair was well represented by many worthy groups offering volunteer opportunities. And, while I would love to say everyone wanted to be part of Carolina Canines, people are diverse and have many interests. If a person could not find a volunteer opportunity to be involved in, they were not really looking.

On February 18, 2010, Carolina Canines will be one of about 20 non-profits at the Have A Heart event hosted by the Wilmington Young Professionals. This is an opportunity to showcase our non-profit and build capacity of our volunteers with young professionals in our community.

If you are a volunteer still looking for an opportunity in our community, Carolina Canines has opportunities for you. But, first, let me tell, we do not have a kennel at our facility. All of our servic dogs in training are in foster homes where they need to be to learn to live with a family. To learn about our volunteer opportunities, please our website at http://www.carolinacanines.org/.

We are always in need of foster families to raise and train a service dog in Wilmington, NC or Myrtle Beach, SC, Carolina Canines for Therapy teams, fundraising /event volunteers and committee / board members.

There are many resource online to help find a volunteer opportunity. Here are just a few:
1-800-volunteer.org
Volunteermatch.org

Stella, Already a Star

2010-01-26T15:12:00.005-05:00

Just a little over 3 weeks ago, Stella entered the Carolina Canines for Veterans program. Stella, her name meaning Star in Latin, is a 13 week old Anatolian Shepherd donated by Full Circle Farm, Ken and Nancy Wargas, Rowlands, NC.

Ken and Nancy have been long time supporters of Carolina Canines when Ken and their Anatolian Shepherd Marky became a Carolina Canines for Therapy team in May of 2005. Marky served his community well with many visits to local children and adults, but retired a little over a year ago. Ken’s work as a volunteer did not stop there and in 2009, he and Sasquatch, Marky’s son, became a Carolina Canines for Therapy team to continue their mission to serve others.

A long time desire of the Wargas’s was to see one of the dogs from their breeding line become a service dog with Carolina Canines. There were a few attempts, but Carolina Canines always needs a foster home ready, willing and able to raise and train one of the dogs. But, this past November, when Nancy and Ken offered a puppy, with or without a foster family, we knew we could place the dog in the Carolina Canines for Veterans program for training.

Stella is already living up to the meaning of her name. At 12 weeks of age, she already knows 8 commands and has great focus on her handler. To see just what the handler and Stella have accomplished already, click below to view the video.

Seems all quiet, but it’s not

2010-01-12T09:07:00.005-05:00

So, the end of the year has come and gone and it seems like all is quite. What is your local non-profit doing?

If they are like us at Carolina Canines, we are feverishly working on our end of year/beginning of year tasks. What does that mean? We are preparing our files for the 2010 calendar year, scheduling upcoming events, copying our financial records and preparing those for the auditor, closing the 2009 accounts, getting reading to have the taxes prepared and preparing our donor letters in compliance with IRS guidelines. All that boring stuff is happening in the background as we continue our mission to service people with diabilities.

As the New Year turned, we found ourselves responding to hundreds of emails from people interested in volunteering as part of the Disney Give A Day, Get A Day. While the response has already been tremendous, we hope to excite those responding to become part of our long term part volunteer base supporting our programs in the community and helping other by training a service dog, becoming a Carolina Canines for Therapy team and visiting in the community, assisting with events or fundraising activities like the 4th Annual Walk for Those Who Can’t.

Carolina Canines has already committed to participate in several upcoming event s in our community in February including the Star-News Conscience Fair on February 6, 2010 at the CFCC North Campus from 10 am - 3 pm, we are the benefitting organization for the Run for the Roses on February 7, 2010 in Raleigh, NC and will be at an event sponsored by the Have A Heart: What Are You Doing For the Greater Good? on February 18 from 5:30 - 8 pm to inspire our community young professionals to get involved in their community.

We recently meet with folks at Liberty Commons with several of the Carolina Canines for Therapy teams to share how the licensed therapy teams can help to improve the lives of the residents at their facility and look forward to an upcoming article featuring our teams in DogLiving Magazine.

Our Annual Walk for Those Who Can’t event Co-Chairs and Committee Chairs are busy working with their teams on sponsor recruitment, team development, media and marketing. Team and individual registration is open online now at FirstGiving, we are preparing the advertisement for the February 2010 PawPrints Magazine and will be ordering the posters and brochures in the next few weeks.

Now, this is just the second full week of January. Can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings!

2009 A Year in Review

2009-12-28T12:29:00.007-05:00

Looking back at 2009, it has been a busy year filled with challenges and blessings.

In January, we launched Carolina Canines for Therapy as our own program after spending months developing the course material, registration and assessment. The program includes an affiliate through Teamwork’s Dog Training, Raleigh, NC and for the first time, the therapy program spans multiple locations in North Carolina. The third wounded veteran received his service dog from the Carolina Canines from Veterans (CCV) program in mid-January.

In February we were in full swing preparing for the 3rd annual Walk for Those WhoCan’t having pre-registered close to 30 teams stepping out to support the mission of Carolina Canines.
March found us saying good-bye to the first service dog placed, Saint. Joshua, the service dog placed in January was named the Booker Willoughby Service Dog of the Year by Chapter of Mega Tau Sima (OTS) at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in Blackburg, VA. And, the Walk for Those Who Can’t was held raising $20,000 thanks to the many volunteers, supporters, teams and individual walkers.

April brought us to the Coastal Living Show and the Azalea Festival Parade with preparation underway for PawJam in early May. We had to say good-bye to another friend, Service Dog Samson as he crossed the Rainbow Bridge. We also welcomed a new compliment of Board Members that are truly dedicated to Carolina Canines mission and services and share the passion to continue to service our community.

May events included PawJam and Vets Helping Vets, a fundraiser sponsored by North College Road Animal Hospital providing wellness checks for dogs and cats for a donation to the Carolina Canines for Veterans Program. And, the Ms. Atkinson’s 6th grade class of Shallotte Middle School raised over $500 in a fundraiser for Carolina Canines for Veterans.

June was busy serving two more wounded veterans with their service dogs from the CCV program, adding new dogs into the CCV program one coming from Tails U Win and Adopt-An-Angel, a new puppy in the civilian service dog program and Carolina Canines for Veterans was named the SPCA Shelter of the Week for our work with rescue dogs.

July celebrated a new pup into the CCV program donated by Carolina Animal Protection as a training exercise for the prisoners to learn how to train a young dog and we fully engaged in the world of social media managing a FaceBook page for Carolina Canines. August kicked off a fundraiser, Power of Ten, in which 10 people donate $10 each and ask 10 friends to do the same.

September we recognized our Volunteers for all their service in the annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic, welcomed two new puppies donated by Georgette and Jim Lynn, Serendipity Dry Pond Kennels, into the civilian training program, worked with our 6th wounded veteran as she received her service dog Isaac, and celebrated national recognition as a recipient of a Newman’s Own Award through Fisher House Foundation to reward ingenuity and innovation for programs that benefit service men and women and their families.

Service Dog Titus finished up his advanced training with a training mission to Disney in October. Our very own volunteer, Donna Sweetman was awarded the New Hanover County Volunteer of the Year and was one of 20 recipients of the North Carolina Volunteer Service Award Governors Medallion of Honor. October also found advanced trainers, Stephen LeQuire and Caroline O’Brien working with clients Kathy and Diane as they received their service dogs. Ms. Atkinson’s 6th grade class at Shallotte Middle School was at it again, this time over $600 was raised for the CCV program. The first annual VolleyPaws tournament was held at Captain Bill’s, Shallotte Rotary sponsored the first annual Coastal Hounds Walk the Town and at the end of October we were excited to launch a newly designed website for Carolina Canines thanks to our corporate sponsor and their creative design team, Talk Inc. and Home Health Testing provided an incredible look at the work done by Carolina Canines in a new video titled Triple Win.

We welcomed November with the 7th wounded veteran receiving his service dog, Titus and a new relationship with Air Compassion for Veterans making transportation possible for our wounded veterans to attend team training in Wilmington, NC. A new puppy for the civilian program donated by Richard and Carolyn Burton joined the family and a team of dynamic volunteers came together to plan the 2010 Walk for Those Who Can’t with a new location at Hugh MacRae Park

And in December the President/CEO reflected upon how he began his passion for service dog training and commitment to continue to service those in need. Christmas week found us celebrating the arrival of Stella, a 9-week old Anatolian Shepherd donated by Nancy and Ken Wargas of Full Circle Farms.

As we look back on 2009, we were faced with many challenges that we managed to deal with. Special thanks to our funders, volunteers and supporters for their unwavering commitment to support our mission. Without your support, we could not have accomplished all that we did. Carolina Canines for Service provided $280,000 in services to people with disabilities. Our volunteers logged an average of 2500 hours each month with their time valued at just over $600,000. We registered 79 Carolina Canines for Therapy teams who continue to touch the lives of thousands of people in their communities with pet therapy visitations. The total value of services provided by Carolina Canines for Service exceeded just over $800,000 for 2009.

We look forward to continuing to serve our communities. Wishing you and yours a Happy 2010!

The Commitment

2009-12-16T12:50:00.005-05:00

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

Carolina Canines Tales & Tails Christmas 2009

2009-12-10T13:50:00.006-05:00

To read the latest issue of Carolina Canines Tales & Tails Christmas 2009 newsletter, click on the image below.

or click the link:
http://issuu.com/carolinacanines/docs/christmas_2009

Disney Give A Day.Get A Day.

2009-12-08T09:54:00.003-05:00

Carolina Canines is pleased to be a part of the 2010 Disney Give A Day. Get A Day.

"Give a Day. Get a Disney Day." is a program that celebrates and inspires volunteerism.

Starting January 1, 2010, you may sign up for the program from http://www.disney.com/. As part of the sign up process, you will search and select from a list of eligible volunteer opportunities with participating organizations. After you sign up and complete your chosen volunteer activity, and the HandsOn Network has verified your service, you will receive an email from Disney prompting you to log in to your account and print a vouchers that may be redeemed for your free ticket to a Walt Disney World® or Disneyland® theme park.

If you plan to celebrate at the Disneyland® Resort, you can choose to redeem the voucher for a 1-day ticket to either Disneyland® Park or Disney's California Adventure® Park. If you plan to celebrate at Walt Disney World® Resort, you can redeem the voucher for a 1-day ticket to any of the following 4 theme parks: Magic Kingdom® theme park, Disney's Animal Kingdom® theme park, Epcot® or Disney's Hollywood Studios™ theme park. Tickets are not valid for admission to a Disney Water Park admission, DisneyQuest® Indoor Interactive Theme Park or Disney's World Wide of Sports®Complex.

See FAQ and rules on http://www.disney.com/

Things to Remember:
· You may pre-register at http://www.disney.com/ and receive an email from Disney reminding you of this opportunity. Before January 1, 2010, you can provide Disney with your contact information so that you can be reminded of when sign up begins and receive fun downloads in the meantime.
· Starting January 1, 2010, you may search for volunteer opportunities from this site and—once you've selected one, of course for Carolina Canines for Service, —sign up to volunteer and complete your service.
· You must sign up for an eligible volunteer opportunity through http://www.disney.com/. Only volunteer opportunities signed up through the http://www.disney.com/ are eligible.
· Volunteer time beginning January 1, 2010 will be counted towards the Give A Day. Get A Day ONLY if you have registered on http://www.disney.com/.
· Your volunteer time will be verified by the organization you volunteer for. All guests who participate in the program will be notified by Disney by email when their volunteer project has been verified.

What Will You Celebrate?

7th Wounded Veteran Receives His Service Dog

2009-11-30T15:42:00.004-05:00

Cpt. Christopher Ayres, USMC, Retired was serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and was injured at the first assault into Fallujah in April 2004 while conducting combat operations against enemy insurgents that killed the four U.S. contractors from Blackwater. The group was ambushed and sustained intense small-arms fire, light machine gun fire, and rocket fire. One of the rockets pierced the side of the vehicle and lodged in the engine compartment; right where the back half of his right leg just happened to be. Chris spent 75 days at Brooke Army Medical Center and left the hospital on a walker and forearm crutches. It took about 6 months for him to regain strength and learn to walk again.

Chris received service dog Titus, the seventh dog to be placed from the Carolina Canines for Veterans program. Titus came to Carolina Canines from Horry County Shelter in Myrtle Beach, SC and weighed a mere 46 pounds when he came to us. Titus is now a healthy 71 pounds and was trained by the prisoners at Camp Lejeune.

We'd like to thank Air Compassion for Veterans for providing air transportation for Chris and the Jameson Inn Wilmington for providing his hotel accommodations.

Chris and Titus arrived in Texas on November 22, 2009 and their first outing at home was to a Texans home game. If they can attend as event like a professional football game just one day out of team training, we think they are going to be a great team.

Giving Thanks

2009-11-23T19:25:00.006-05:00

In this season of thanks, Carolina Canines would like to thank the many people supporting our mission and making the lives of people better in our communities. We could not accomplish all the work that is done without the gift of the hundreds of volunteers that give their time every day from raising and training our service dogs to visiting with their registered therapy dog in a nursing facility or hospital, to working with children to help them with their reading, volunteering in the office, organizing fundraising events or being a member of our Board of Directors. Thank you for the 2500 volunteer hours each and every month you give to support the programs.

Thank you to our in-kind donors for the many services and items you provide contributing to the programs and mission of Carolina Canines for Service. From the media, marketing, and website design of Talk Inc.’s Project Pet Project, the supply of waste bags from Doggie Deposit for the Carolina Canines for Veterans program, the green lasers used for training from On Point Lasers, the services of Wilmington Orthotics and Prosthetics to customize each service dog harness for the clients, and the incredible Triple Win video provided by Home Health Testing. Thank you.

To our many supporters, thank you. Whether you contribute monthly, acknowledge an honorarium or memorial, sponsor a service dog in training, or support a fundraising event, thank you. For every dollar donated, 94 cents goes directly to our programs. Because of you, Carolina Canines has provided over $280,000 in services this year alone to people with disabilities by providing a quality trained service dog to help them regain their independence. Over $25,000 in services has been provided in our communities by over 120 registered Carolina Canines for Therapy teams. Everyday these teams are touching the lives of people who need their day brightened because they are hurting or lonely.

In this season of thanksgiving, we say thank you to each and every person that makes our mission a reality.

It's About the Impact

2009-11-13T14:02:00.007-05:00

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.

Website Design 101

2009-10-29T18:46:00.006-04:00

For some time, we knew we wanted a fresh new look to our website. But, being a nonprofit and having a limited budget for what could cost thousands of dollars; a dedicated volunteer created and maintained our site for years. Earlier this year, our corporate sponsor Talk Inc. expanded their creative communications agency to include website design and management. When their creative team contacted us about taking on the project of redesigning and hosting our website, we were very excited. After all, we have had the direct benefit of the quality work this creative group does. Talk Inc. had redesigned our corporate brochures, helped us to name both our Carolina Canines for Veterans and Carolina Canines for Therapy programs, created our Carolina Canines for Therapy logo, prepared quality press kit information and have provided countless press releases over the course of the last two years. Needless to say, we were anxious to work on the website project with Talk.

Over the last several weeks, the creative work of Shawn, graphic designer extraordinaire, Susan with her very talented writing style and management of the project, and Nathan with his incredible web marketing and management skills, have proven their high caliber standards. Under the attentive direction of President & Creative Director, Debbie Elliott, Talk has exceeded any expectations Carolina Canines may have had. Actually, they have blown us away with the breathing website that professionally portrays the mission of our organization and our goal of helping people with disabilities.

Over the next week or so, Talk will be providing training to Carolina Canines for managing the content of our site. They will also be adding a photo gallery and a newsroom. Those pieces will go live as soon as we complete our part of those efforts.

Did this happen without our involvement? No. Step by step from the design to the copy, we were involved in every process. Even the transition to going live and changing over our email accounts was done with thoughtful guidance from Talk. Designing and implementing a website, whether new or redesigned, is an effort that takes a great deal of planning and cooperation between both parties. If you are looking for someone that will get the job done for you, using the latest technology and understanding how to market your business on the internet, I’d call Talk. They’ll get the job done right.

North Carolina Outstanding Volunteer Service Award

2009-10-22T21:20:00.008-04:00

Carolina Canines for Service would like to congratulate Donna Sweetman, Advanced Trainer, as one of the five New Hanover County Volunteer of the Year Award recipients and for being the New Hanover County’s Medallion of Honor winner for 2009. Donna will be recognized at the Governor’s Mansion in early November with the other 20 Medallion of Honor winners and could be selected as the 2009 North Carolina Outstanding Volunteer Award Recipient.

The New Hanover County Nominees and Award Recipients were honored at an awrds dinner hosted by the Cape Fear Volunteer Center at City Hall Chambers on October 22, 2009. Each year across the state of North Carolina, nonprofit agencies nominate volunteers who have demonstrated the upmost concern and compassion for their neighbors by making a significant contribution to their community through volunteer services. In New Hanover County, nine volunteers were nominated and recognized for their service in the community. The nominations are presented by the agency the individuals volunteer for and the nominations are reviewed by a committee of judges. Of those individuals, five were awarded the New Hanover County Volunteer of the Year Award. The selection of each County’s five nominees is conducted at the County level and submitted to the Commission for approval. Selection is based upon the nominee’s volunteer efforts, accomplishments, and impact. The nomination reflects meaningful commitment of time and service by the nominee. The nominee’s service addresses a community need and/or enhances the quality of life of North Carolinians and demonstrate acts of generosity and kindness. A statewide panel, under the direction of the NC Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, evaluates the nominations for the Medallion Award.

Donna dedication and work over the last 9 years with Carolina Canines as a foster puppy parent, advanced trainer and instructor for other foster families and advanced trainers, exemplifies her passion and commitment to the volunteerism she does. Donna volunteers an average of 120 hours a month and is currently working to train her ninth service dog that will be provided to a person with a disability later this year.

Carolina Canines is honored to be in the company of this dedicated and compassionate individual and we are pround of Donna for all of her help to support the mission of our programs.

Training Mission Disney

2009-10-17T17:22:00.004-04:00

Much of the service dog training Carolina Canines volunteers and staff do is in and around Wilmington, Myrtle Beach or Jacksonville, but occasionally we get an opportunity to take a service dog in training on a different kind of adventure. This time, Service Dog Titus went to Disney!

If you are ever wondering how we know a dog is ready for placement, visiting a high distraction location, like Disney, is one way to fully determine the service dogs abilities. From Hollywood Studios Toy Story to Magic Kingdoms Small World, Disney was full of surprises around almost every corner or curve. Titus, we are pleased to say did wonderful. He readily managed Disney, with the crowds of people, Disney characters, the Celebration Parade including stilt walkers, an evening performance of Cirque du Soleil and the infamous Disney fireworks displays. Titus is a champion.

This year at Disney is the year of celebration, and our friend Merilee ensured that Rick and I were celebrated with a button that announced our marriage. Disney cast members offered their congratulations and well wishes. During the Celebration Parade at Magic Kingdom, nearly every stilt walker came over to us to offer their congratulations and say hello to Titus. The Disney cast is an amazing group of dedicated and concerned people. Highly trained and taking their roles as ambassadors seriously, they frequently asked if our service dog needed water, always asked if they could pet him and offered access to areas where he could be walked. They guided us to ride access and asked if special seating was needed for certain rides. They were attentive without being overbearing.

Taking a service dog to Disney is a valuable experience for the dog because if they can handle this environment, they can handle anything asked of them. We’d welcome the opportunity to have a generous sponsor for a training excursion for each of our service dogs at Disney. Any takers?

New Look Coming Soon

2009-10-09T10:37:00.002-04:00

We are working harder than ever to create a new look to our website. Well, we’re really just reviewing and approving the hard work of our corporate sponsor Talk Inc. Talk has been working with Carolina Canines for several years now after selecting us as their Project Pet Project. Talk, Inc is a creative communications agency that helps companies grow and navigate change. Talk utilizes public relations, graphic design and internet marketing to help companies find their voice. And, top Dog Camden keeps the Talkers on their paws to help Carolina Canines put their best paw forward.

We will be sharing more information as we get ready to launch the new site in the next several weeks and we know you will enjoy the new look and the ease of navigation.

2009 Volunteer Appreciation Picnic

2009-09-24T11:13:00.006-04:00

The 11th annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic was held on September 19, 2009 at Castle Hayne Park. Sponsored by our Board of Directors, over 70 volunteers and their families including service dogs, service dogs in training and Carolina Canines for Therapy team attended the celebration. Volunteers were recognized for their contributions to the organization, from visiting local hospices, nursing homes or schools through our Carolina Canines for Therapy program or raising and training a service dog for someone with a disability through our Foster Puppy Parent program. In 2009 alone, CCFS volunteers have logged over 30,000 hours of volunteer time!

This year’s picnic was especially exciting as we were joined by our two newest clients, Leslie Smith and Kathy Ormsby. Also in attendance was Georgette & Jim Lynn from Serendipity Dry Pond Kennels in Snow’s Cut, NC. Georgette has generously donated 5 labradoodle’s to the service dog program and brought two new puppies’ with her to meet their new foster puppy parents, Deb Jendrasek and the Brinkley Family. With a beaming smile, executive assistant, Pat Hairston told the new service dogs in training their mission in life; to assist those with a mobile disability. Also joining us in celebration was CWO2 John Nolan and other members of the Camp Lejeune Marine Corp Base Brig Program that have helped make it such a success.

With beautiful weather and delicious food, the 2009 Volunteer Appreciation Picnic turned out to be a great success and a wonderful way for Carolina Canines for Service to show the many volunteers just how much they mean to us! Keep up the great work!

Ingredients for a Successful Partnering

2009-09-24T10:17:00.006-04:00

Take one Wounded Warrior, mix with one Service Dog trained by Carolina Canines for Veterans, saturate with hard work, sprinkle with plenty of training opportunities, combine with laughter and rest, and the result is one incredible service dog partnering destined for new beginnings.

Meet Leslie Smith and Service Dog Issac. Leslie first met Isaac in Washington, D.C. the evening before the presentation of the Newman’s Own Award for the Carolina Canines for Veterans program. Since that time, plans were underway for the pair to begin their team training in Wilmington as the newest wounded warrior to be partnered, creating an opportunity for greater independence.

Leslie, U.S. Army Captain - retired, was serving during Operation Joint Forge, an eight-month peacekeeping deployment to Bosnia-Herzegovina, when just short of completing her deployment she was diagnosed with a rare blood clot disorder and rushed back to the United States where complications led to the amputation of her left leg below the knee and the loss of vision in her left eye. Leslie spent nearly 8 months at Walter Reed and underwent 20 surgeries that have enabled her to walk again. Her life since her injury has taken her down many paths, including the keynote speaker at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, MN, and the one to Carolina Canines for Veterans is not without thought and planning. It is the right time in her life for a canine companion to assist with her every day needs, some of which she will have to rethink to use her service dog, instead of doing for herself. Like many, Leslie has learned to adapt to the tools she needs to live, but this time, the tool has four legs, a wagging tail, some dog hair, the desire to work and plenty of kisses.

Issac came to Carolina Canines from Grand Strand Humane Society and was just two days away from being euthanized. He has spent 14 months in training, having waited for his special someone for the last several months. Each match of a person and their service dog is unique. The needs of every applicant, whether civilian or veteran, are carefully reviewed and the dogs’ skills accessed to determine the best possible match considering needs, personalities and life style. The match between Leslie and Issac is right, more than right, and we know they will be a confident team as they go out onto their own. Carolina Canines for Veterans has given Issac the skills he needs and team training has given Leslie the tools she needs to use Issac. Now, it’s all up to them.

Making the placement of Isaac possible takes many and our thanks goes to the Marine Corp Base Camp Lejeune, the prison handlers, Stephen LeQuire-CCV Trainer, Marianna Thompson-Myrtle Beach Trainer, Horry County Humane Society, Jameson Inn Wilmington, Wilmington Orthotics and Prosthetics and our Carolina Canines for Veterans funders.

Carolina Canines for Service Receives the 2009 Newman's Own Award at Pentagon Ceremony

2009-09-11T14:08:00.010-04:00

RECIPIENTS SELECTED FOR 2009 “NEWMAN’S OWN” AWARD

ADMIRAL MIKE MULLEN, CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF PRESENTS AWARDS IN PENTAGON CEREMONY

Admiral Mike Mullen, USN, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, provided remarks at the tenth annual Newman’s Own Award Ceremony at the Pentagon on September 10, 2009, as awards totaling $75,000 were presented to eleven volunteer organizations for their innovative programs to improve military quality of life.

USA Together was judged as the best entry and received a $15,000 award. USA Together is a Craig’s List-like web site where qualified injured service members and their direct families can post unmet needs and receive assistance from individuals, businesses, community groups or other Veteran Service Organizations who want to help.

Newman’s Own, Fisher House Foundation, and Military Times Media Group sponsored the competition, which seeks to reward ingenuity and innovation for programs that benefit service men and women and their families. The challenge is straightforward: “Present an innovative plan to improve the quality of life for the military community and receive funding to carry out the plans.”

Admiral Mullen was joined by Tom Indoe, President of Newman’s Own; Fisher House Foundation trustee Tammy Fisher; and Elaine Howard, President of Army Times Publishing Company, in presenting the awards.

Including this year’s awards, the annual competition that began in 2000 has recognized 125 programs with awards totaling nearly $600,000. A total of 112 entries were received for the 2009 program. Six judges evaluated each entry based on the organization’s impact to the respective communities, creativity and innovation.

Judges for the 2009 competition were:
Mrs. Deborah Mullen Spouse of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Mrs. Sandee Cartwright Spouse of the Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Mrs. Mary Jo Myers Trustee, Fisher House Foundation
Mrs. Tammy Fisher Trustee, Fisher House Foundation
Mr. Bill Lee Vice President, Operations, Newman’s Own
Mr. Mark Tilley Director, Sales, Newman’s Own
OVERALL WINNING ENTRY
$15,000 AWARD
"USA Together"

USA Together, Los Altos, California
USA Together is a web site whose purpose is to use the internet to connect individual injured service members who may need some help as they recover with those Americans who want to help, but don’t know who or how to do so. Simply put, USA Together is a Craig’s List-like web site where qualified injured service members and their direct families, including Gold Star families, can post unmet needs for goods, services or modest financial assistance. Then the public, as individuals, businesses, community groups or other Veteran Service Organizations, can reach out to offer help and support. Potential Donors subscribe (for free) to the site to get
notified via email as new needs are posted. For more information, contact Dave Mahler (dave@usatogether.org).

$10,000 AWARD
“Vets4Vets Peer Support Group”
Vets4Vets, San Diego, California

Vets4Vets (www.Vets4Vets.us) is the national, peer support community of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans helping each other heal from the psychological injuries of war. In just over two years, more than a thousand individuals have attended one of 45 free, residential, weekend workshop across the country to benefit from and learn the skills of basic peer support. There are 25 local groups across the country. With the Newman’s Own grant, the volunteer leaders in the Camp Pendleton and San Diego area will organize two weekend workshops and form two on-going peer support groups for Marines, OEF/OIF veterans, and their spouses. The goal is to stay in touch with each other and provide each peer support after these workshops and share advice about way to reintegrate to civilian life including connecting with services provided by military units, the Veterans Administration, Vet Centers and other nonprofits. For more information, contact Abel Moreno (abel@vets4vets.us)

$7,500 AWARD
"Homes for Wounded Heroes"
Bay Area Builder’s Association Support Our Troops. Inc., League City, Texas

Bay Area Builder’s Association (BABA), a division of Greater Houston Builder’s Association, was approached in 2005 by the family of a Marine severely injured in action in Afghanistan. The family was seeking a trustworthy remodeling contractor to make the necessary home improvements to accommodate their son, returning in a wheelchair. BABA answered, “Here we are!” BABA accomplished the project 100% free of charge, and BABA Support Our Troops, Inc. was born. Since then, the organization has provided new homes for 4 families of severely wounded heroes from the war on terror. The 5th new home is being presented soon, completely free, with taxes and insurance paid for two years. The dream is to spread this program to other Home Builder Associations around the country. In January 2010 BABA Support Our Troops, Inc program will be presented at the International Builder’s Show in Las Vegas. For more information, please see http://www.babasupport.com/.

“Three Step Transformation”
Operation Life Transformed, Woodbridge, Virginia

Founded in March of 2007, Operation Life Transformed provides access to flexible online training programs that lead directly to high-demand job placement opportunities as identified by the Department of Labor. The Three Step Transformation program bridges the gap between online training, resume assistance and job placement with corporate partners, thus improving the quality of life and financial stability for our military families. The 2009 Newman’s Own Award grant will provide online training to 57 members of our military community to include: active duty military spouses (Guard and Reserve), Veterans, widows/ers, and the caregivers of wounded soldiers. Operation Life Transformed also received a Newman’s Own Award grant in 2007. For more information, contact Tania Mercurio (tmercurio@lifetransformed.org)

$5,000 AWARD
“Beck PRIDE Center for America’s Wounded Veterans”
Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas

The Beck PRIDE Center for America’s Wounded Veterans is named in honor of donors Buddy G. and Charlotte Beck of Fairfax Station, Virginia. “PRIDE” is an acronym for Personal Rehabilitation Individual Development and Education. The mission of the Beck PRIDE Center is to provide combat wounded veterans with first class educational opportunities, extensive learning assistance, plus physical and mental health rehabilitation; within a university environment. It supports the reintegration and preparation of wounded combat service members into post-service careers. The Beck PRIDE Center opened in October 2007. It has served more than one hundred thirty active duty or discharged service members and their families; including all branches of military service from across the U.S. It supplements veterans benefits or fills service gaps; does not duplicate other federal or state programs. The Beck PRIDE Center is housed within Arkansas State University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions in Jonesboro, Arkansas. ASU is a natural setting for this program; offering comprehensive higher education programs and degrees that directly support veterans. A “military friendly” institution, ASU has an active ROTC program and houses the 875th Arkansas National Guard Armory. For more information, contact Susan E. Tonymon (stonymon@astate.edu).

“Operation Patriot’s Call”
AMVETS Post 12, Winder, Georgia

Operation Patriot’s Call is a partnership between AMVETS Post 12 and local citizens, businesses and organizations that have pledged to support the families of the 1/121st, currently deployed to Afghanistan. The vision of Patriot’s Call is to mobilize Georgia’s communities to support their local heroes. National Guard Units do not have the convenience of a local base for support nor do they have the sense of community that comes with being attached to a base. While some communities wave flags as the soldiers leave and then quietly go about their business, Operation Patriot’s Call is actively creating and building a network to help with issues that come up while a spouse is deployed. This effort helps improve the quality of life for military families by providing a support network during the deployment and for up to 6 months after, giving the soldiers peace of mind while defending this Nation’s freedom. For more information, contact Michelle Walker (michellewalker30680@yahoo.com).

“Carolina Canines for Veterans”
Carolina Canines for Service, Wilmington, North Carolina

Carolina Canines for Service (CCFS) is a non-profit health and human services organization that provides people with disabilities quality trained service dogs. In 2008, CCFS launched a national pilot program, Carolina Canines for Veterans, to assist wounded warriors with a quality trained service dog, using military prisoners to train the dogs rescued from local shelters. Operating entirely on private donations, CCFS trains prisoners at the Camp Lejeune brig in Jacksonville, N.C. to raise and train each service dog. Carolina Canines for Veterans is the first of its kind to work within the walls of a military prison to train service dogs. Prisoners get a second chance to help their comrades. Wounded vets get a second chance for an independent lifestyle. Shelter dogs get a second chance at life. Service dogs are provided at no cost to the wounded warrior. For more information, contact Pat Hairston (info@carolinacanines.org).

“Camp C.O.P.E.”
Camp C.O.P.E., Dallas, Texas

Camp C.O.P.E. provides interactive small group counseling, specifically designed for the children of deployed or injured service members. Participants engage in therapeutic activities which highlight: coping skills, expression of anger, feeling identification, handling stress & anxiety, caring & empathy, empowerment, and dealing with grief & depression. The camp is designed to help our young heroes cope with the effects of war, deployments and the sacrifices they are asked to make every day. So far, Camp C.O.P.E. has held six camps and provided services to over 1,000 children. All camps have been supported by corporate and individual donations. For more information, contact Sarah Brava (campcope@yahoo.com).

“Support Our Wounded Heroes”
Family & Friends for Freedom Fund, Inc., Pompton Plains, New Jersey

Family & Friends For Freedom Fund, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was founded in January 2005 after the founder’s family member, GySgt James Sturla was severely wounded in Iraq. Family and friends worked together to get through life-altering circumstances, and became aware of many other families who were undergoing similar changes in their lives. These families have been living a financial hardship long before our economy changed, and now have the added struggle of coping with emotional and physical burdens. Family & Friends For Freedom Fund has assisted over 170 military families and made grants in excess of $400,000. For more information, contact Kathy Sturla (info@injuredmarinesfund.org).

“Expanding the Comfort”
Sew Much Comfort, Burnsville, Minnesota

Sew Much Comfort provides adaptive clothing to support the unique needs of wounded service members from all branches of the military and national guard. The need for adaptive clothing continues to grow as American military members continue to be injured serving in current conflicts. Each week, wounded military members are medically evacuated to the United States for extensive treatment for bullet wounds, burns, head and limb injuries and amputations. Many previously injured are still in the recovery process. Some injuries require large fixator, prosthetics and casts that are too bulky to fit under ordinary clothing and underwear. Sew Much Comfort is the only organization providing adaptive clothing at no cost to our wounded service members. Without adaptive clothing, the only option for them is a hospital gown. Sew Much Comfort have produced and delivered over 75,000 items of adaptive clothing to our injured since we began in December 2004. For more information, contact Michelle Cuppy (mmc.cuppy@comcast.net).

“Camp STRIDE Wounded Warrior Fall Family Retreat”
STRIDE Adaptive Sports, Rensselaer, New York

In September 2008, STRIDE Adaptive Sports launched a unique mentorship opportunity between STRIDE Youth Athletes and Wounded Warriors with similar disabilities. The Wounded Warrior Fall Family Retreat was an outgrowth of four years of winter events to teach recently injured service members how to ski or snowboard in our adaptive program. The fall retreat is hosted in the Adirondacks for three days of kayaking, whitewater rafting, hiking, campfire cooking, and tent camping, but most importantly, a time to connect Wounded Warriors with children in the community who have similar challenges. Since 1985, STRIDE has been enriching the lives of children and individuals with disabilities by providing adaptive sports and recreational opportunities. In partnership with school districts and other non-profits, opportunities are provided to challenge people, potential and possibilities. STRIDE Adaptive Sports is a volunteer non-profit organization providing over 4,000 adaptive sport and recreation lessons annually to children & individuals with special needs. STRIDE has over 250 skilled volunteer sport instructors, serving more than 1,000 families; and offers free programs in seventeen different sports and locations. For more information, contact Katie Moshier Suhr (kmoshier@stride.org).