2020 Annual Report 45 Years of Independence 45 years ago, in a detached garage in Northern adapted our plans and established safety measures California, an idea was born — service dogs trained to to protect the wellbeing of all through on-campus assist people with physical disabilities. It started with scheduled staffing, remote work, socially distanced a handful of people united by a common purpose Team Trainings, online events and more. Thanks to the who took a leap of faith to create something special. dedication of our community and continued support Now here we are, a national organization leading the of our mission, we raised over $27 million. Through way in the service dog industry, with over 6,800 teams careful planning and a motivation to drive our mission matched, six state-of-the-art training centers across forward, 378 working dog teams were placed at a time the country and thousands of volunteers, donors and when the benefits of our mission were needed more staff. It’s our aim to achieve greater heights, focus on than ever. innovation through cutting edge research, expand our Our research partners continued their projects reach by prioritizing inclusion and reduce our waiting throughout the year, exploring which traits may make list to serve every qualified candidate in need of a service dog successful and ensuring valuable assistance and a life of greater independence. None data points from long-term studies weren't missed. of this would be possible without the strength and Internally, we introduced new technology platforms adaptability from our dedicated community, and for to improve communications with our volunteers and that, we are so grateful. constituents, allowing us to reach our goals through In 2020, the pandemic did not slow us down. We more efficient software. CANINE COMPANIONS 2020 ANNUAL REPORT Contents 2 2020, A Year Like No Other 4 Leading Life With Greater Independence 6 Serving Our Mission as a Family 8 Groundbreaking Research Helps Shape the Service Dog Industry 10 Creating Community and Change 12 Finding the Light Again 14 2020 Financials 16 Enhancing Quality of Life 18 Honor Roll of Donors 28 Heritage Society 30 Puppy Raisers and Breeder Caretakers While we always are looking ahead, let's take a moment and reflect on all we have accomplished not only this past year, but since 1975. Change is necessary for growth and improvement, but some things will never change — our gratitude 45 Years of... to our community, our commitment to service and quality, and our dedication to the mission. Thank you • Leading the industry for your unwavering support. Together, anything is possible. • Creating quality matches Warm regards, • Building community • Investing in canine health Paige Mazzoni, Chief Executive Officer and wellness • Opening doors John McKinney, Board Chair CANINE.ORG 1 2020, A Year Like No Other Despite the pandemic, Canine Companions continued to move our mission forward. Disabilities don’t disappear in times of crises and neither do we. Gerry with Service Dog Adelane Beck with Service “I used to avoid going out in public Dog Jackson because I was embarrassed to keep “Jackson has been one saying, ‘what did you say?’. I was of the biggest blessings probably in denial about my and gifts we have ever hearing loss, but when I was received.” — Melinda, matched with Adelane, my life Beck’s mom. changed. Every day is a new day with her; she alerts me to so many important sounds. Now I can enjoy life with my wife, my kids and grandkids.” Working dogs in 2020 Leading the way to Independence We placed 378 working dogs in 2020, despite the Canine Companions provides service dogs to setbacks the pandemic brought to our community. individuals with a wide range of physical, cognitive, Through dedication and innovation, our important developmental and auditory disabilities. Our clients work continued. are diverse with unique goals for placement with a service dog. Outside working Therapy dog teams placements 18* certified 2 Facility dogs placed 83 378 Total Service dogs placed 275 64+Number of disabilities our service dogs assist with *Dogs from Canine Companions that are transferred to another organization or agency that utilizes them in a working capacity. 2 CANINE COMPANIONS 2020 ANNUAL REPORT Frank with Service Dog Hope Lauren with Facility Dog Aloha “She’s very incredible. Hope not only helps “When some of my pediatric clients remained me pick up things, but she’s the one who at home during the pandemic, will wake up and sit with me at I looked for creative ways to 3 a.m. She’s my companion, utilize Aloha’s skills. I sent my company. Hope has me, weekly videos to my clients and I have Hope.” to encourage the children to play along with Aloha while working on therapy goals. Aloha has even learned some new commands — she responds to ‘say hi’ to say hello and ‘balloon’ when she pushes a balloon high into the air with her nose.” Training through COVID-19 Canine Companions’ training staff typically have their taught virtually followed by 10 days of small, socially schedules dedicated to in-person follow-up visits with distanced in-person classes. clients, training dogs on our campuses and teaching Our puppy program managers also had to adjust numerous Team Training classes throughout the year. to the unique circumstances, and they provided The restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic hundreds of virtual puppy classes for our volunteers. prompted a major shift to virtual follow-ups and an These collaborative efforts resulted in minimal delays innovative hybrid Team Training model — lectures were for our program. Virtual923 follow-ups 67Socially distanced 1,769Virtual puppy Team Trainings classes CANINE.ORG 3 Leading Life With Greater Independence At 20 years old, Alexis Holmes attends the second 2007, Alexis was matched with Service Dog Persia. This largest university in the country, University of Central life-changing partnership allowed her independent Florida (UCF). Smart, independent and driven, Alexis nature to flourish. lives in the dorms and is working towards a degree in For ten years, Alexis had Persia by her side helping biomedical science. to decrease her reliance on the adults around her When she was 12 months old, Alexis was diagnosed by assisting with tasks that were difficult to manage with muscular dystrophy, a progressive, genetic on her own. Persia would retrieve a dropped lunch disability that causes muscle weakness. Alexis learned box, pick up pens and pencils, reach a light switch to use a wheelchair and often had to ask her parents and provide reassurance that for help with many day-to-day tasks. In November Alexis was capable of Leading Life With Greater Independence being independent with the support of a cold nose “My parents were nervous about me going to UCF and a helping paw. When Persia passed away, Alexis alone. They feel much more comfortable now that knew another service dog would be a huge help in the Eada is by my side,” shares Alexis. Service Dog Eada is next phase of her life. trained in over 40 commands to ensure Alexis can live Alexis began the application process for her second on campus safely and independently. “I have Eada dog, not knowing that her perfect match was not far here, and I know I will be okay.” away. A puppy was growing and learning with Canine Alexis will graduate from UCF next year, and Companions volunteer puppy raiser Sarah Crabtree with Eada's help, she plans to move out of state for at UCF as part of the university’s college puppy raising graduate school to pursue her dream of becoming a program. genetic counselor. Alexis and Service Dog Eada were matched in 2020. Learn more about our graduates at canine.org/stories. “I have Eada here, and I know I will be okay.” Canine Companions Graduate Placements in 2020 Professionals 83 Adults 158 358 Veterans 24 Total Children 93 5 “I can’t imagine ever not Serving Our Mission as a Family raising a puppy.” “I can’t imagine ever not raising a puppy,” shares Jill “She was the first person I met who was involved Leipelt. Over 25 years ago, Jill learned about Canine with service dogs, and I thought it was great — I was all Companions while teaching first grade when a fellow in,” shares John. teacher introduced her to his sister and her service Two sons, Owen and Chris, and five puppies later, dog. Jill was able to see the impact firsthand and knew the Leipelt family has exemplified the core values of she wanted to become involved with our mission. our mission in their home. “The biggest part for me It didn’t take long before Jill had a four-legged friend is having the boys see what we do and why we do in a yellow puppy cape by her side in the classroom. it — we’re doing something good for somebody else,” Canine Companions puppy Inga was the first puppy explains John. she raised for our organization but was certainly not Owen and Chris, now young men, have continued her last. Over the years, Jill raised three more puppies before meeting her husband, John. Leading Through Volunteerism Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. Even with the impact of COVID-19, our volunteers continued to innovate and find new ways to move our mission forward. They attended virtual puppy classes run by our incredible staff, hosted online events and fundraisers, maintained and supported our dynamic community, and so much more! 6 CANINE COMPANIONS 2020 ANNUAL REPORT “I can’t imagine ever not Serving Our Mission as a Family raising a puppy.” to support our mission in new ways.