Case study: Canine Companions for Independence
Canine companions for independence (CCI), is an organization which provides trained dogs for people with disabilities to help them gain back their independence. Those disabilities range from physical handicaps, e.g. people who are restricted to a wheelchair, have limited or non-existent sight or hearing impairments, but may also have developmental disabilities. Dogs are trained in the CCI facilities within the United States and at volunteer’s residence to provide a nurturing home, but professional training schedule to assist those in need after training completion. “TheAmericans With Disabilities Act guarantees people with disabilities the right to be accompanied by a service animal in all areas open to the general public (Canine Companion Independence [CCI], 2008a)”. The canine companions include labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, as well as a mix of both, and will assist people in need to “improve the physical, mental, or emotional health” and help “perform tasks, such as picking up dropped items, turning light switches, pulling a wheelchair, etc. (Nelson & Quick, 2009, p. 148)”. CCI proudly presents their service, which consists of service dogs, hearing dogs, facility dogs and skilled dogs. Volunteers are used to raise those gifted puppies until they are ready to live with the disabled person in need.
The program sounds like a noble gesture to the community and displays social responsibility, a key element of a modern organization in the United States, but it has its perks and perils. Some of the volunteers go through an emotional rollercoaster during the process of raising their puppies and then having to give them up. Bill Walton and his wife Lori raised ‘Loma’ for 14 months until they had to release her into advanced training at a CCI facility. The couple’s attitude towards dogs was clearly favorable in raising a puppy and perhaps initially self-interested. However, when the time came to give Loma up, to go to advanced training, the couple was not able to see her for nine months. Having showered Loma with love and guidance throughout those 14 months, it was emotional for the couple to see her go. After the training, Bill and Lori were able to meet Loma again and introduce her to her new owner David, who was a quadriplegic. The couple knew that they did a good job in raising Loma, but they also knew that David needed Loma’s assistance. The volunteer’s attitude changed from self-interest to unselfishness after they saw their hard work had paid off.
Amy and Karissa, also volunteers of CCI, raised two puppies that became well socialized dogs, as they accompanied the volunteers on every occasion throughout the day. The volunteers didn’t think ahead that one time, they would have to give them up for the purpose they were raised (Nelson & Quick, 2009). Their feelings towards these canines grew, because they established a strong bond; one could say they actually saw them as family member. Their attitude and behavior changed over time as they realized the dogs will assist those in need. Volunteers Joyce and Gordon spent $3,000 on raising a CCI puppy, an investment they now see as priceless (Nelson & Quick, 2009). Attracted by the delighted children’s faces and the canine companions during a graduation ceremony, they realized that it was their duty to help. Joyce and Gordon are part of the CCI volunteer program and their personality enhances disabled people’s lives, as they raise more puppies. Kyle, a young boy, who was out to donate money to a charity, realized he first had to find one that was worthy. By accident, he came in touch with CCI and decided to donate. His attitude was selfless in the first place, but when he saw “the pictures of the smiling people in wheelchairs”, he knew this was a good time to donate and he had found the charity worth his money. He managed to donate $20,000 to support people in need (Nelson & Quick, 2009).
Bill and Lori Walton, Amy and Karissa, Joyce and Gordon, as well as Kyle, are all part of a dynamic process, a process that affected other people’s lives. Through their emotional and financial investment, they not only influenced others to contribute to CCI, but gave opportunities to make new friends within the CCI network and nationwide. Many of the volunteer emotions are shared feelings, e.g. joy and happiness in raising a puppy and seeing it grow up or sadness and the feel of loss when they have to give them up. However, emotions of achievement and empathy for the people who receive the trained dogs contribute to an emotional exchange. The volunteer’s positive emotions spread from one puppy to another and transferred to people who want to help to people who are in need of help. After the completion of breeding, raising and training a puppy, volunteers might share ideas but also communicate throughout the process by non-verbal communication. They might perceive themselves as individuals of a ‘team’ and get the work done. Their membership to CCI and the outcome they see outweighs the initial emotions of sadness and loss.
The activities of CCI, such as breeding, raising and training puppies as reliable canine companions, embody many values on an instrumental and terminal level. CCI breeders and puppy raisers are responsible and competent people whose sole purpose is to give affection and love, but also effective obedience training to their dogs. “Volunteer puppy raisers provide specially- bred puppies a safe home, take them to obedience classes, serve up a healthy diet, provide socialization opportunities and give lots of love (CCI, 2008c)”. Also, the social respect members of CCI receive is priceless. All participants live an active life style with pleasure and happiness, but they also encounter new friendships on their path. Volunteers have to be open-minded individuals, because at one point they have to let go. However, even after volunteers and dogs part, they can experience the feeling of achievement and inner peace; because they know the person in need will take good care of them.
Nevertheless, volunteers of the CCI program have obligations when they join the program, a contract with commitment. For example, puppy raisers are responsible for the dog’s safe environment, submission of monthly reports and monitored progress by CCI staff, as well as attending CCI classes with the dogs and payment for necessary expenses, such as food and crates. They are also required to give up the dog upon request of the organization (CCI, 2008c). A good moral character is necessary and goes without saying in this program because these puppies fully depend on their raisers and must be trained to be reliable companions themselves.
However, even though staff monitors volunteers, things can go wrong. For example, people might have good intentions but are not as knowledgeable and competent as dog raisers as they thought and display unethical behavior. An ethical dilemma for volunteers could be the choice between two desirable options, e.g. raising a puppy and giving the puppy to someone who really needs it. CCI also offers a companion prison program where canines are placed with inmates who raise the dogs. Constant supervision and guidance for the raisers might not always be present.
A possible abuse of the program or the animal is not impossible. It all depends on the individual’s character and the environmental factors, such as training facility, staff and financial stability. How good a puppy can be raised, depends on the volunteer’s capability, knowledge and willingness to adapt for the greater good, but also on the professional guidance and monitoring by CCI staff. Volunteers of the canine companion program can be proud of themselves for what they do, help disabled people without ever asking for anything or looking back. CCI, which was founded in 1975 and can be proud of their 623 puppy raisers (Nelson & Quick, 2009).
References
Nelson, D. &.Quick, J. (2009). Organizational Behavior Science, The Real World, and You. Mason: South-Western Cengage Learning.
Canine Companion for Independence. (2008a). Etiquette. Retrieved March 18, 2010, from http://www.cci.org/site/c.cdKGIRNqEmG/b.4011011/k.F407/Etiquette.htm
Canine Companion for Independence. (2008b). General Information Brochure. Retrieved March 18, 2010, from www.cci.org: http://www.cci.org/atf/cf/%7BD369F549-15C4-46EE-BEE3-52B190502F3F%7D/Gen%20Info%20gatefold%20v7.pdf
Canine Companion for Independence. (2008c). Puppy Raising Program. Retrieved March 18, 2010, from http://www.cci.org/site/c.cdKGIRNqEmG/b.4011029/k.6CF1/Puppy_Raising_Program.htm