Canine Angels' Success Stories

It is very important to us at Canine Angels that we find the right situation for each dog in our program. For some, this means working in one of the four categories of dogs we place with children and young adults that have physical or developmental disabilities. Some are destined to work with health care professionals or teachers that can use a dog in their work. Since our standards are very high for our working dogs, we do sometimes have dogs that cannot be placed as such. We strive to find the perfect families for our "career change" dogs, and absolutely consider their placements "successes" as well.

Here are some of our favorite stories...

Donna and Pal Ruby

Ruby’s trainer, Canine Angels founder Sandy Mays, had warned me that Ruby was a “head turner.”  She said I wouldn’t be able to take that Goldendoodle anywhere without every person I encountered stopping me.  It’s true.  Everyone who sees Ruby HAS to know her breed, age, gender, etc.  But mostly they just want to touch her, look closely at her extraordinary features and funny expressions, watch her graceful movements, playful antics and bask in her mellow, sweet personality.  

My cousin Page knew about Ruby, and when Sandy decided to change Ruby’s career placement status from “Service Dog” to “Pal”, Page decided that Ruby and I were meant to be together. I had just gotten a scary diagnosis, and Page was determined that with Ruby by my side, everything would be better for me.  She offered to get Ruby for me.  Page’s enthusiasm about Ruby was contagious, and I quickly realized that Ruby would be the most extraordinary gift I would ever receive.  

I flew out to Oregon to meet Ruby and Sandy, and I also met Ruby’s Canine Angels charter class. Sandy knew each dog’s strengths, and she could describe each of their challenges in clear detail.  She understood their learning styles by “thinking like a dog”, and she used strategic approaches to help them overcome their difficulties from the source:  insecurity, fear, inattention, etc.  In just three days, I learned more from Sandy about teaching and learning than I had in 25 years of professional development workshops and trainings for my job as a (human) teacher and learning specialist!  

Ruby now lives with my husband and me on a small island off the coast of Maine.  She is not only my Canine Angels “Pal”, keeping me safe and keeping me company, but she also plays 3 important roles at our one-room K-8 island school, where I teach.  First,  Ruby serves as a Reading Dog, snuggling with younger students while they read aloud to her.  Second, she helps children when they are having a hard time with their behavior or their emotions.  Third, since we don’t have a school secretary or a “front office”, Ruby’s barking, whenever she hears the front door open, alerts us when someone comes into the school.  This warning is especially helpful, since we can’t see the front door from the classroom.  In the end, her “alarm barking” liability which prevented her from becoming a service dog, has become an asset in Ruby’s new role!  

Each morning, Ruby sits attentively at our daily “Morning Meeting” circle on the rug.  When it is her turn during our morning greeting, Ruby shakes hands with the person on either side of her.  She does not move until I release her with a “break” or a “bed” command.  When my 5-year old kindergartners start to squirm, the older children remind the squirmers that they “trained Ruby to sit still at Morning Meeting”, and that if they squirm...they will “confuse Ruby”.  Ruby keeps us all in line.  

Ruby is more than a mascot, she is an integral part of our school community.  Thank you Sandy Mays and Canine Angels for the gift you have given to me and to our whole island!  We are so proud of Ruby for carrying the Canine Angels message all the way across America’s coasts from Oregon to Maine.

Michael and Assisted Social Dog Bailey

A 2009 Canine Angels graduate, Michael is a sparkling 7 year old boy 
who was diagnosed with a brain tumor which, despite 3 chemotherapies 
and 2 craniotomies, took all of his vision from one eye and half from 
the other. Thank you to Michael's mother Dorith for sending us this 
update on how life has changed for Michael with Bailey by his side.

August 19th was the magic day Bailey entered Michael’s life. Since 
then, every day is brightened with her smile and fantastic positive 
energy.

We were still in Oregon when Michaël had to have his weekly blood 
test. For four years, he always had been very courageous and never 
moved during a blood draw procedure under one condition – he had to be 
on Mom’s lap. As usual, I asked him if he wanted to be on my lap and 
the answer was: “It is ok, Mom. Bailey is here”. Wow, that was 
unexpected but so great.

Since then, every week, we go to the clinic for the blood draw and 
they have their ritual: open the two access buttons doors, say hi to 
the receptionist with an “up” on the counter, go under the chair to 
wait, both of them, go to the procedure after opening an access 
button, have the procedure, get a lollipop and … run out! Oh wait the 
access button again!

For his chemotherapy treatment, he usually spends seven long hours in 
the hospital. This is how the long wait is done with Bailey…
To access his mediport, he always wanted to lie down on my belly and 
wanted me to stay close to him. As usual, I asked him how he wanted to 
proceed and the answer was: “Mom I do not need you. I just want Bailey 
on my bed.”

Michael is also much more stable and confident walking. This improved 
a lot by walking to school proudly with his dog.

All those little points might look insignificant but they are 
unpleasant moments turned into better experiences, confidence and 
independence gained little by little. We will never be able to express our gratitude enough to everybody who  is contributing to raise great angels like Bailey. Thank you to all again.

Elina and Assisted Service Dog Zoe  

Elina is an incredibly determined 12-year-old who is willing to work very hard for the things she wants. Born with cerebral palsy, Elina didn't let that stop her from leading a full and active life. This joyous California pre-teen is involved in Girl Scouts, her church youth group and swimming activities. Elina is a spunky girl who will keep you on your toes with her wit and humor.

Nicknamed “The Computer Wizard”, Elina will gladly give you a tour through her Tango speech device. Complete with digital camera and the ability to morph speech into a child’s voice, Elina and her Tango are able to communicate with others that might not otherwise understand her. Elina's persistence paid off when we were able to teach her new Assisted Service Dog to respond to voice commands on her Tango. This begins the process of Elina being able to work her dog independently.
 
Always etched in our minds as "the girl in pink" (even her wheelchair is pink), Elina has certainly won a place in our hearts. She will go on to do many great things and now, with her Assisted Service Dog by her side, you can see a twinkle in her eye and a determination to live life to its fullest.
 
Elina received Assisted Service Dog Zoe, a female GoldenDoodle.
 
Congratulations to our newest Team!!