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Puppy Raising
An Opportunity to Profoundly Affect the Life of Another Human Being  We are pleased and very proud to announce that on January 21, 2010, Enzi, a Lab Golden cross graduated from Canine Companions for Independence as a certified Hearing Dog. Enzi is special to the Especially for Pets Family because he was raised by our Obedience Manager, Leslie Zelamksy. Leslie and her family are volunteer Puppy Raisers for Canine Companions for Independence, a non-profit organization that raises assistance dogs for people with disabilities other than blindness. These carefully bred puppies arrive at their Puppy Raiser’s homes at eight weeks of age and stay until they are about 18 months old. During that time, the puppies are highly socialized and trained on over 30 commands. They become a loved member of the family. In November 2009, at 18 months of age, Leslie ‘turned in’ Enzi to CCI’s Northeast Regional Training Center in Medford, NY (one of six in the US) where he entered Advanced Training. Typically, Advanced Training lasts from six to nine months. However, after only a few short months, Enzi displayed qualities needed for service as a Hearing Dog. He was transferred to CCI’s Northwest Region in Santa Rosa, CA which is the only CCI facility that trains Hearing Dogs. As a hearing dog, Enzi’s primary task is to “alert” his partner to a number of sounds which include alarms, telephones, a falling object, a person calling from behind, etc. Enzi is trained to “alert” his partner to the sound and then bring him to the source. Some of the sounds are specific to his partner’s lifestyle. Training is ongoing as new sounds enter his partner’s world. Enzi was matched/partnered with an incredible woman who is a child psychologist from Sacramento, CA. Leslie, her husband Marc and son Ellis attended the Santa Rosa graduation and met Enzi’s new partner, Randi, as well as her wonderful family. In addition to being Randi’s Hearing Dog, Enzi will help her child patients who often need a big, soft and loving pillow in which to cuddle and confide. The meeting between Leslie and Randi’s families at the CCI facility was remarkable and they continue to keep in touch via email. Enzi is the third CCI Puppy that Leslie and her family has raised for CCI. They currently have Titan III, a sweet six-month old lab cross. Leslie says that raising these special creatures has been “a huge gift” to her and her family. She explained “It is quite an incredible experience to take something so loving and wonderful into your home, give it as much as you can and then pass it along in order for it to profoundly affect the life of another human being. Puppy Raising for Canine Companions for Independence is an honor that I intend to continue for as long as I am physically able.” In addition to raising puppies for CCI, Leslie serves as the Boston Area’s Volunteer Training Instructor. She runs CCI specific classes on the second Saturday of every month at the Especially for Pets Training Academy in Sudbury. Leslie is part of a wonderful group of Puppy Raisers and Volunteers who promote CCI’s mission which is “to raise highly skilled assistance dogs for people with disabilities other than blindness.” The volunteer group engages in classes, field trips, fundraising and public awareness events. On Saturday, March 6 from 3:00-4:30pm the Especially for Pets Training Academy at 424 Boston Post Road will host an informational seminar for people interested in puppy raising or volunteering for CCI. Come and meet these very special volunteers, learn about their puppy raising experiences, see a presentation by an assistance dog and his recipient, and learn about various volunteer opportunities that are available. (Volunteers are needed beyond puppy raising such as public relations, events, fairs and fundraising efforts.) Please pre-register for this free event by calling 978.443.7682 or visiting our Sudbury store. |
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