A Few Facts, Then I'll Quit Obsessing About Dogs

CCI uses Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers, but as of late they have been cross-breeding those two breeds to get a dog that is a better worker and more loveable.
Each puppy from a specific litter has a name starting with the same letter. Sonia, Sasha, Sissy, etc. A mommy dog usually has five litters then is retired.

There is a 2-year waiting list to receive a successfully trained dog. Basically, two dogs are bred specifically for each recipient and during the 2-week training period, the person will work with both dogs to see which one works best for them.

The SW region trains about 300 dogs a year or 80 dogs a quarter. They train service dogs, assistance/companion dogs and facility dogs. Hearing dogs are trained in the NW region. Only 8-11 dogs are awarded to recipients each quarter and only about 30% of the dogs that go through advanced training are awarded to someone. The others are returned to the Puppy Raisers or are given to someone on the wait list.

CCI needs families that are willing to raise a puppy until it is 1 ½ years old. Utah has a strong network of Puppy Raisers. Visit http://www.cci.org/site/c.cdKGIRNqEmG/b.4011029/k.6CF1/Puppy_Raising_Program.htm to learn about being a Puppy Raiser.

Cross your fingers that our family will be awarded a dog.