Graduate Story - Cheryl and Patrina

We would like to share a heart warming story about Patrina, the 7^th puppy that we have had the pleasure to raise for CCI. After some months of advanced training we received the terrific news which we all look forward to hearing that she would graduate as a Facility Dog. Better news was that she would be working with a gal named Cheryl at a school for autistic children located only 20 minutes from our home. This was terrific since we love to keep in touch with our pups.

During our initial phone conversation with Cheryl, we each gushed over how wonderful Patrina is and the miracles she will orchestrate with the children in Cheryl’s care. We asked how Cheryl learned about CCI and the story got very interesting. Cheryl explained that a few years ago, when she held a second job at a hotel in northern NJ, she encountered a CCI puppy raiser with her yellow caped pup in tow, and they got to talking about the program. Cheryl’s daughter is a real animal lover, and like us, she knew raising a puppy would be a good fit for her family some day, but not just then. Well, the time was finally right in early 2008 and Cheryl went to her school director and explained that she wanted to raise a CCI pup and asked if she could bring the pup to school during the day. The director was agreeable, but went one better by suggesting that Cheryl apply for a CCI graduate dog for the school and she could be the facilitator. This was even better than she could have imagined – being able to work with a CCI dog during the day, and then getting to take the pup home at night.

As we got to know each other we asked Cheryl if she remembered who the puppy raiser was. She did not remember the woman’s name but thought the pup was “golden retriever” looking and the puppy raiser was there with her husband for a small family gathering. That is when we had to catch our breath, for we remembered that about 4 years ago my husband’s family held a celebration at that same hotel in which Cheryl worked, we were with our son and daughter in law and raising Doug (CCI pup #5) who was very “golden looking”.

After sharing several pictures via email, Cheryl realized that we were indeed the puppy raisers that she had met years before.” If we hadn’t met, I am sure I would have never embarked on this wonderful adventure” she said. The feeling of turning over Patrina’s lead to the woman with whom we spoke about raising a CCI pup, who, through a twist of fate, wound up requesting a CCI Facility Dog, and that dog was our beloved Patrina, who we were honored to have raised, filled us with awe and pride. The question we are often asked “how can you part with your puppy after caring and loving it for so long?” was once again answered.

Cheryl and Patrina

With a little help from

Regina and Dave