Avalon Teen Receives Assistance Dog from Canine Companions for Independence

AVALON — Canine Companions for Independence – a national non-profit organization providing assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities – is proud to announce that Avalon resident Gave Barone has recently received a Canine Companions Assistance Dog.
13-year old Gabe was matched with Aaron, a two-year-old lab/golden retriever cross who has been trained to respond to over 40 advanced commands. Aaron can turn light switches on and off, open and close doors and retrieve dropped objects. However, one of his most important jobs will be to provide constant companionship for Gabe.
Gabe and Aaron returned to Avalon after completing Canine Companion’s recent Team Training Class, an intense, two-week course held at Canine Companion’s Northeast Regional Center in Medford, NY – one of six such centers nationwide. The Northeast Regional Center serves a 13-state area from Maine to Virginia.
Each student who attends Team Training – held at each center four times a year – is paired with a fully trained, working assistance dog, like Aaron, and is taught to work with his/her canine companion. The training course consists of daily lectures, exams, practice and public outings.
Gabe and Aaron are settling into a routine back home in Avalon.
Gabe says, “Aaron is a very special dog and I hope to have many wonderful years with him.”
About Canine Companions for Independence:
Canine Companions for Independence is the largest non-profit provider of trained assistance dogs with six regional training centers across the country. Established in 1975, Canine Companions provides highly trained assistance dogs to children and adults with disabilities and is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs, and quality and longevity of the matches it makes between dogs and people. There is no charge for the dog, its training and on-going follow-up services. For more information, visit: cci.org or call 1-800-572-BARK.