TThehe SCOOSCOOPP CHARITY 896771417 Canine Opportunity People Empowerment WINTER 2012 Did You Know... C.O.P.E. Graduate Will Research shows that quality of life for people with mobility disabilities is improved when a service dog is successfully Make A Difference matched with someone, and their relationship achieves long By: Jane Boake term stability. C.O.P.E. Alumni, Wyatt There is a proven connection between dogs and human partners. Bawden, had his hands full after the Nantyr Shores Interaction of the student/dog training team with an elementary Commencement Ceremony school child benefits both students in building self esteem and last June. He was juggling not promoting the joy in reading. only his Ontario Secondary School Diploma but also five Patrons and Angels special awards including The By: Jane Boake Staff Award for Most Improved “I know someone who loves kids and Student and the Jeff Walters dogs and can make a BIG difference to Diamonds Extra Effort Award. Wyatt with Malibu your organization”. To of a grass roots organization, these words Before entering high school, Wyatt are music to the ears. C.O.P.E. had to dreamed of eventually working in the health care field. do its homework before Sherri Hall, He credits the grade nine C.O.P.E. course with “ Breeder of Maple Lane Golden boosting his confidence” and showing him that Retrievers, would reveal the identity “really enjoying what you are learning translates to of that special someone. Homework high marks”, something that the Ontario Scholar done, we were honoured to find out knows all about. In grade ten, Wyatt earned his first Susan & George Cohon co-op credit as a handler for grade 2 students, Krista that George Cohon, Founder of McDonald’s Canada and Russia, Rossit’s C.O.P.E. dog, Ben. “Working with Krista and wanted to help. Imagine, the man behind “Burger Diplomacy” Ben helped me understand that I have a lot of interested in supporting C.O.P.E.! George and his wife, Susan, patience and that by talking to people, I can help keep went on to donate their young dog, “Gentle Ben” to our them calm and comfortable”, says Bawden. Perhaps program and helped spread “C.O.P.E. Moments” throughout that is why Wyatt is heading to Georgian College to their networks. Their generous support includes securing grants become a Personal Support Worker (PSW). He plans from Ronald McDonald House Charities and even generating to work as a PSW while he pursues further education donations to C.O.P.E. in lieu of birthday gifts. George and Susan’s in Nursing. Wyatt is a great example of how C.O.P.E.’s consistent support and encouragement has been inspirational Canine in the Classroom program can help give young and has helped fuel C.O.P.E.’s development. They have recently people the confidence to pursue their dreams. been named C.O.P.E.’s Official Patrons but to me, they feel more like Guardian Angels. “Thank you, George and Susan, for taking C.O.P.E. under your wing.” TIP FROM THE TRAINER: Dogs synchronize with their leader’s emotions. If you want your dog to be calm, then Just The Facts! you must be calm, in every fibre of your being. The Student/Dog Training Teams help elementary Don’t take it personally when your dog school children enjoy reading and build self challenges you. The dog only wants to know if confidence through the Reading Buddy program. you are a worthy leader. Stand up straight with your shoulders back and use an authoritative C.O.P.E. is a registered charity and all gift donations are tax-deductible. voice to get a good response. A relationship based on trust, care and leadership is the key C.O.P.E. dogs often provide the motivation for a to a good human-canine bond. new outlook on life for their partners.

www.copedogs.org PAGE 1 www.copedogs.org Chairman’s Report Our Experience as C.O.P.E. 2011 was a year of many accomplishments Puppy Raisers for C.O.P.E. We are now setting the stage By: Laura Clark/Linda Dessau for a successful and rewarding 2012 with a When you want to give to a charitable organization but time solid strategic plan, a dynamic and and money are limited, you look for something you can truly capable Board of Directors and many believe in. Puppy raising with C.O.P.E. filled that need for our wonderful students, dedicated volunteers family. My husband James Creech is a teacher at Bear Creek, and teachers and yes, delightful dogs. which is where he saw the good this program could do for We recognize the value of team. students facing unique challenges in school and in life. And as a physiotherapist, I am aware of the challenges that physical Jean Hargreaves, In 2012 we look forward to expanding our disability places in front of a person who wants to live their life Board Chair existing program by developing community to the fullest. chapters. With enhanced community engagement, the student-dog teams from the Canines in the Classroom program The past two years with our C.O.P.E. puppy, Supernova will better support the elementary Reading Buddy program. (Nova), have been full of memorable moments and learning The goals of the two-year training program, improved literacy experiences, from walking at 6:00 a.m. skills and sense of community for our students, will be every morning in winter, to meeting promoted with increased community involvement. As both the with the other puppy raisers to students and dogs graduate these goals are realized when the compare notes. well trained service dog becomes the Life Partner to a community member with mobility disabilities. People always ask, “What’s it going to be like to have to part with Nova?” and Our C.O.P.E. team will continue to raise awareness of our “Will you do this again?” My answer is mission to serve. We will recognize the contributions of our always, “I don’t know, we’ll cross that James Creech, Laura Clark many champions, host our Second Annual Golf Event and bridge when we come to it.” What we & Ayleigh with Nova launch additional unique fundraising initiatives. do know is the difference these dogs can make in many lives. We can always keep the memories of the time we had with It is through the generous support of our sponsors, volunteers Nova and take pride in a job well done. and donors that C.O.P.E will unleash the potential of youth and make a difference in many communities. We thank you for your support. Supporters Tee it Up for C.O.P.E. By: Katroina Macleod Board Profile C.O.P.E. held its first annual golf Jerry is a new member of the C.O.P.E.’s tournament on September 21, 2011 at Board of Directors, starting in June 2011. Tangle Creek Golf and Country Club. It was a huge success raising $17,704.71 Jerry is a Barrie Boy, “born and raised in for C.O.P.E. Barrie”, and educated at King Edward School and Central Collegiate. He received Thanks to everyone that came out and his BA at the University of Western Ontario golfed with us for the day or sponsored majoring in Psychology and Sociology. He Jerry Norman the tournament if they were not able Board Member attended law school there as well, to play. We have to send a huge thank graduating in 1973 and has been practicing law as a sole you to Pratt Homes for their donation Stephanie thanks Flare at the Dinner practitioner at 99 Bayfield Street. Jerry specializes in real and another huge thank you estate, corporate and commercial law, wills and estates. to Elliott & Elliott Law Firm for their generous dinner sponsorship. We hope to be able to top the money raised in Jerry has served on the boards of Huronia Symphony, the the 2012 tournament. Stay tuned for more details. Hawkestone and Barrie Yacht Clubs and Kempenfest Committee and as a director and president of the Rotary Club of Barrie. TIP FROM THE TRAINER: Jerry is married to Carol, a retired elementary school teacher. Never underestimate a dog. Dogs understand They have two grown children, Joseph and Jennifer. His intention. Through the power of the bond between activities and interests include golf, skiing, boating, cycling human and canine, a dog can experience an and travel. internal reward by altering an outcome for their Jerry looks forward to using his experience to help C.O.P.E. beloved human partner. achieve its goals.

www.copedogs.org PAGE 2 www.copedogs.org CANINES READING IN THE CLASSROOM BUDDY By: Aiden Masters By: Lori Johnson C.O.P.E. is important to me because I love The Reading Buddy program provides a safe, nurturing, being able to train the dogs and getting to opportunity for young elementary students to spend time know them is awesome. I started this year sharing their book choices with the high school trainer and working with Nova, who is a well behaved service dog. The children are selected for the program by female who seems to enjoy the job of being the elementary school staff. Over a C.O.P.E. dog. I am now working with the course of the program time Quasar, a male dog who is two years old. frame, the high school students Aiden with Quasar He is very stubborn and has a very weird report that they observe an personality but I’m starting to get to know him and he is slowly improvement in confidence in their listening better and better. At first with Quasar it was hard to little reading buddies. This get him to walk, now he follows right at my leg and is beginning confidence transfers into children to lean more and more commands. who may have been reluctant Reading Buddy Program to even open a book, who share their in action This class is great for the school because it gives students who books with their non-judgmental reading buddy teams. need a change from regular class or even troubled kids who never go to class to feel encouraged to go. To be honest this It was in December however, at the Alcona Santa Claus pa- class is one of the few I’ve actually enjoyed. rade, that my heart was warmed by the reception C.O.P.E. received. As I drove the C.O.P.E. van with my daughter, This class is important to the community because it allows leading students and volunteers with C.O.P.E. dogs, who more dogs to be trained to become accessibility dogs in less walked behind the van, people called out from the crowd. time. Without this class in local schools, less dogs would be Young elementary students catching a glimpse of the getting training so fewer dogs would be available to those who van, screeched to their parents and grandparents “there’s need them. , I read to him every Friday”, “Mom there are the C.O.P.E. dogs, they come to our school” or “ that is my high Overall, what I can say about this class is that it’s awesome and school reading buddy ”. I am very happy I took it this year.

A C.O.P.E. Moment “I work with C.O.P.E. as a fundraiser and no matter how many times I see our video or talk to students and Life Partners, TIP FROM THE TRAINER: Consistently apply rules and limitations. I get choked up with pride. It is an honour to work with an organization that makes such a difference to so many people”. - Glenn Coulson, Fundraising Director

The Inner Convictions Of A Quiet Volunteer By: Patricia Dent Some volunteers quietly go about 5 years later, this work is still her passion. She not only has getting things done. Without fanfare, the opportunity to grow as C.O.P.E. expands, her work has they make sure their program is the an impact every day. Building confidence, getting students best it can be. to take risks and perform tasks in front of their peers is complex. “Students have a huge role in preparing the dogs Lori Johnson is one such volunteer for their future work. Through this the students not only – and a dog lover. A teacher of 31 grow in self-confidence, leadership and motivation but also Lori Johnson & Kristina Kunej years, for the last 5 years she has improve their literacy skills.”, says Lori. “Improved literacy also filled the role of a volunteer Canines in the Classroom results in students enjoying success in school which may instructor. have eluded them in the past.”

At Nantyr Shores, Lori applied her special education skills, Others inside and outside the organization aren’t always developing strategies to help kids overcome learning aware of the contributions of quiet volunteers – but without challenges. When she discovered C.O.P.E., Lori scoured the them, the organization wouldn’t be the same. She brings the school every day to find the puppies. You can imagine how skills of a special education resource teacher to enriched this excited she was when she had the opportunity to program and without Lori’s dedication to volunteering as a incorporate C.O.P.E. Dogs into her program. During lunch C.O.P.E. instructor, the Nantyr Shores Life Skills class would hours and after school, she began to learn how to train not have benefitted from the involvement of C.O.P.E. Dogs. service dogs. She became Charity’s puppy raiser.

www.copedogs.org PAGE 3 www.copedogs.org You Can Make Community Events Benefit C.O.P.E. By: Jane Boake A Difference What do horse trials, author readings, Scarecrows: community videos, scarecrows and red Nicholyn Farms noses have in common? These are all hosted a DONATE ways that our community contributes to “Scarecrow Every$ little bit helps. Whether it is C.O.P.E.’s valuable programs. Festival” a small monthly donation or a Horse Trials: C.O.P.E. volunteers spent barbeque and one-time gift, it makes a difference. an enjoyable day judging cross country contributed jumps and Equus 3D Farm made a proceeds of their generous donation. sales to C.O.P.E. Caitlyn Krause, with Buddy SPONSOR Author Readings: The Gryphon Guild Red noses: Base held an entertaining and inspiring Borden’s “Operation Red Nose” drives There are many ways for your company “Author’s Night” and gave the proceeds red-nosed people and their cars home to become involved, from sponsoring a to C.O.P.E. during the festive season and, you dog to supporting the Reading Buddies Community Videos: Canines in the guessed it, proceeds go to C.O.P.E. program. A C.O.P.E. dog will visit your Classroom students created a video Heartfelt thanks go out to our community company to say a personal thank you! entitled, “What a Strong Community members. Your fun and diverse events Means to Me” and won a contest offered translate into life changing experiences by Community Foundations of Simcoe for students and people with disabilities. VOLUNTEER County. The prize: $500 to a favourite C.O.P.E. Service Dogs couldn’t do it There are many ways volunteers can charity (C.O.P.E., of course!) and a without you! help, from general office assistance to professional video by MySimcoe.TV. participation at various fun events. We can always use an extra set of paws! Winter Events Tuesday, January 31st Book your Echoage Birthday Let C.O.P.E. Help Calendar Sales end Party and support C.O.P.E at You Keep Your Tuesday, February 21st www.echoage.com Barrie Huronia Rotary Club 2012 Resolutions! Presentation Don’t Forget to get your sponsorship space for the 2012 Summer 2012 Dragon Boat and 2013 C.O.P.E. More details will follow! calendar! For information: C.O.P.E. Golf Tournament [email protected] at Tangle Creek

The 2012 C.O.P.E. Calendar is only $10 and includes beautiful photos of our puppies, dogs and students. Thank You! Not to mention, there is over $200 of valuable local coupons. We couldn’t do it without our great sponsors. These companies and people have chosen to generously support C.O.P.E. and we can’t say thanks enough! C.O.P.E. P.O. Box 20035 Barrie, Ontario L4M 6E9 Kris 705-734-COPE(2673) Jingles Too Peter & Sandra Thompson McDonald

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