#AdvocacyMatters: Lending a Paw
July 8, 2022 / #AdvocacyMatters
Our mission of a truly equitable society can only begin to be realized with the understanding that the work is much, much bigger than us. By partnering and collaborating with organizations where missions and values align, the reach of this common goal is broadened and its important message is amplified.
Last week DRO’s leadership team had the pleasure of visiting Canine Companions’ regional training center in New Albany, just northeast of Columbus. This massive campus provides administrative support, dog training, and a residential client/canine training program for a 14-state region. Perhaps most impressive, though, is this: Once the application process is completed and the client is approved, a service dog is provided at no cost to the client.
“Our goal at Canine Companions is to enhance independence for children, adults and veterans with disabilities so that more people feel empowered to live their lives to the fullest,” Emily Oliver, Canine Companions’ PR & Marketing Coordinator for the North Central Region shared with us. “Our service dogs come expertly trained in up to 45 commands – from turning on lights, to picking up dropped items – and are provided at no cost to the recipient.”
The work behind such a massive undertaking is staggering, and the chance to see and understand this operation up close afforded an entirely new appreciation for the need that they are meeting. Connecting to Canine Companions – and recognizing the intersectionality of their goals with ours – will open opportunities that benefit all the communities we serve. For us and all the organizations who share this vision, we’ll keep working to show just how much #AdvocacyMatters.