[2] Canine Companions for Independence was founded in Santa Rosa, California, in July 1975 by Bonnie Bergin as the first program of its kind.
The organization pairs people with disabilities with highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support at no cost to the recipient.
[1] All expenses pertaining to the breeding, raising, and training of the dogs are financed via private donations from corporations, individuals, and other foundations, as well as fundraising projects.
[12] The campaign, "Give a Dog a Job", let people follow along with the training of a particular puppy named Foley, and engage with him and his trainers on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
[14] Puppies are raised by volunteers who commit to keeping the dogs for 16 to 18 months,[15][16] until it is time for them to enter the training program.
During advanced training, professional trainers may build that command and associated behavior into skills like turning light switches on and off.
In 2018, Canine Companions began a pilot program training service dogs to assist veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder by providing a gentle buffer in crowds, turning on lights and interrupting nightmares and anxiety behaviors.
Individuals invited to be matched with a dog travel to the training center that serves their state for a two-week class that teaches the recipients how to work with their new partners.