Canine Companions for Independence – a national non-profit organization providing trained assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities – has announced that Herndon resident Tucker Winfrey has recently received an assistance dog from Canine Companions for Independence.
Tucker was matched with Farrah, a two-year-old yellow lab/golden retriever cross who has been trained to respond to over 40 advanced commands. Farrah can turn light switches on and off, open and close doors and retrieve dropped objects. However, one of her most important jobs will be to provide constant companionship for Tucker.
Tucker and Farrah returned to Herndon after completing Canine Companion’s recent Team Training Class, an intense, two-week course held at Canine Companion’s Northeast Regional Center in Medford, N.Y. – one of six such centers nationwide. The Northeast Regional Center serves a 13-state area from Maine to Virginia.
Each student who attends Team Training – held at each center four times a year – is paired with a fully trained, working assistance dog like Farrah, and is taught to work with his/her canine companion. The training course consists of daily lectures, exams, practice and public outings.
Tucker and Farrah are settling into a routine back in Herndon. Tucker says, “Farrah is a very special dog and I hope to have many wonderful years with her.”
For more information, visit cci.org or call 1-800-572-BARK.