Volunteers enhance quality of companion program

By Jan Gaillard

Correspondent

LYNNHAVEN

The Maddox family has a serious case of puppy love.

A black Labrador retriever named Opal is the focus of their affection, in training for placement with a national organization called Canine Companions for Independence.

"The first we heard of CCI was at a retirement community where my mom and dad live in Fredricksburg and a neighbor of theirs was training a puppy," said Patty Maddox, a Cape Henry Shores resident. "My 16-year-old daughter, Maggie, and I decided to train a puppy."

Canine Companions for Independence trains assistance dogs in four areas of service to enhance the lives of those with disabilities.

Hearing dogs alert those deaf or hard-of-hearing to sounds, while facility dog teams work in professional health care settings. Service dogs help those with physical disabilities, and skilled companion teams assist children and adults with cognitive, developmental, or physical disabilities.

Ongoing support from the nonprofit California-based group, founded in 1975, ensures quality partnerships between dogs and recipients.

Only Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers and crosses of the two breeds are used for the program.

Dogs are placed with volunteer puppy raisers while they learn about 30 commands and socialization until the animals are 15 to 18 months old.

At that time, pooches that make it through the periodic evaluations are sent to "graduation" and six more months of advanced training at a training center.

"The dogs are valued at $40,000, but they are free to recipients," Maddox said, adding that volunteers are responsible for the dogs' care including food and veterinary service during their training.

"Physically, they have to be perfect, because they don't want to pass any expenses on to the recipients. Only about 50 percent of dogs make it.

"We've had Opal since July of last year and we're pretty sure she's going to make it - her temperament is perfect. She's going back to graduate in November."

Susan Schiavo, Richmond resident and friend of Maddox, has a son, Michael, 12, with muscular dystrophy. Michael received a dog from the group around the time the Maddox family began training Opal.

"Conan is Michael's best friend," Schiavo said, adding that their wait time was two years.

"Now people say what a cool dog he is instead of seeing the boy in the wheelchair first."

Conan, a yellow Lab mix, travels everywhere with Michael and helps pick up dropped items, place his arm back on the wheelchair and other difficult tasks.

Patty and Maggie Maddox have other pets, but see Opal as the best gift they could give to someone.

"You really do learn patience with this," said Maggie, a sophomore at Frank Cox High School. "But you get to see the fruits of your labor at the end, and it's great knowing you can help."

Jan Gaillard, jangaillard007@yahoo.com