Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), whose Northeast Regional Center is located in Farmingdale, hosted its November 2000 graduation ceremony at Saltzman East Memorial Elementary School last Saturday. A non-profit organization that attempts to enhance the lives of people with disabilities, Canine Companions provides them with highly trained assistance dogs. Last weekend, the company matched nine handicapped people with their Labrador/Retriever mixes.

Prior to the graduation, both the dogs and those in need of the dog's assistance completed a two-week training program to learn how to work together. By this point, dogs had already completed the puppy training and advanced training programs. Before they are matched, the "team" of a dog and their soon-to-be owner have to undergo training in one of four educational programs that teach them concepts and skills. These programs are designed to train the dog and its owner in one of four areas: service, hearing, facility, or skilled companions.

A service team is comprised of someone who is in a wheel-chair along with a trained dog who is taught to retrieve items that fall, open doors, carry small objects and turn light switches on and off.

The hearing team consists of those who are deaf or hard of hearing. The dogs alert them to sounds they might miss or that they rely on others to point out. Among the sounds that hearing dogs respond to are the telephone ringing, a knock at the door or doorbell, fire and smoke alarms, and a kitchen timer.

The skilled companion team includes a person with a physical, developmental or emotional disability and their partnered dog. The dog is expected to learn interactive commands which promote bonding and responsiveness. Their presence is expected to make their owners feel better about themselves. For example, past graduate Terrance "T" Thompson was matched with a "skilled companion" dog. Of their match, Thompson's mother Pat said "T is no longer that kid in a wheelchair, he is now that kid with a cool dog."

A facility team joins a professional caregiver who works in physical or occupational rehabilitation, special education, hospital, nursing home or other health care related facilities with a trained dog. Facility dogs provide companionship and acceptance for visitors of these facilities with a variety of disabilities or socially isolating conditions. Their presence is intended to reduce feelings of isolation and stress.

The nine graduating teams included Abby French and her dog Royce, Vaughn Grady II and his dog March, Sara Jean Hammel and her dog Tulane, Zaryn Hennighan and Darden II, Andres Marrero and Christopher, Eren Niederhoffer and Letty, Chase Porter and Fermay, Tarah Schaeffer and Rillian, and Hannah Solomon and Meg.

Northeast Regional Director Ivan Helfand said at the graduation ceremony that the company plans to expand its capacity by opening at least one new location. "We want to continue to enhance the quality of lives of the people we serve," Helfand said. "We have much to look forward to."