BobandEfram

My name is Bob Fliegel and I was born on July 16, 1978. I have Cerebral Palsy and use a wheelchair. I have always loved dogs. When I was thirteen years old, I raised a puppy for the Seeing Eye.

After attending Hofstra University, I applied for a dog from Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), a not for profit organization that provides specially bred and trained dogs free of charge for people with disabilities other than blindness. After an intense training period in November of 2006, I graduated with Efram, a golden retriever-yellow lab mix. He is eager to work and has a pleasant disposition. Efram helps me in many ways. These include physically, emotionally and socially.

Efram can pick up most anything in his mouth like television remotes, keys, pencils and eye glasses, with the commands “get” “hold” and “give.” He can jump up to open doors with an “up” and he can “push” or “tug” things with those commands. His abilities to help me physically are remarkable, as I no longer need to rely on family members and friends as much.

Efram also helps me emotionally. I developed an anxiety disorder, during my time away at school. He helps by doing a “visit”, where he puts his head on my knee to comfort me, or a “lap” where he puts his body across my lap so I can pet him. Having Efram, as my partner, reduces my anxiety level immeasurably.

Another way Efram helps me is socially. I am much more outgoing than I used to be. Efram’s certification allows him to go everywhere with me as a team because of the Americans with Disabilities Act. His behavior is always excellent in public, especially in restaurants and around food. He has been trained to go “under” the table and “wait.” I always emphasize not to disturb dogs while they are working.

Presently Efram and I give demonstrations to people about the benefits of CCI Dogs. I speak at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center to Girl Scout troops, visit schools, camps and Senior Citizen groups to try to recruit puppy raisers as well as to inform possible recipients about assistance dogs. In addition, I have made lots of new friends in the CCI community, especially in NJ. With Efram I am happy and meet new people.

I would like to thank Efram’s Virginia puppy raisers: Alexandra Pimental and Rachel Wolford and his trainer at CCI: Laura Ann Dubecky, and all the other trainers who helped me with Efram. I love Efram and being an ambassador for CCI.

Bob and Efram