2011 Winter Newsletter of C O

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 the founder 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.

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