DogFest Orlando 2022

Canine Companions transforms the lives of people with disabilities by providing expertly trained service dogs. Our dogs perform practical tasks that enhance independence and reduce reliance on others. They aren't just the eyes and ears, hands and legs of their human partners, they're also goodwill ambassadors and often, our best friends. A student achieves their dreams of attending college. A veteran gets a good night sleep. A patient can endure an additional procedure. Lives are transformed after being matched and working with a Canine Companions service dog.

According to the U.S. Census, nearly 1 in 4 people in the U.S. have a disability. While it costs approximately $50,000 to raise and train every Canine Companions service dog and provide ongoing support to the human-canine team, each dog is provided to the recipient completely FREE of charge. Canine Companions has placed over 7,000 service dogs, but more than 400 people with disabilities are still waiting for a match.  

Our service dogs open up new opportunities and spread incredible joy. By raising funds through DogFest, you support our mission and the people we serve. Thank you.

Canine Companions in Orlando

• ​71 active graduates 
• 63 active puppy raisers 

At 20 years old, Alexis attends the second largest university in the country, University of Central Florida (UCF). Smart, independent and driven, Alexis lives in the dorms and is working towards a degree in biomedical science. When she was 12 months old, Alexis was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, a progressive, genetic disability that causes muscle weakness. Alexis learned to use a wheelchair and often had to ask her parents for help with many day-to-day tasks. In November 2007, Alexis was matched with Service Dog Persia. This life-changing partnership allowed her independent nature to flourish. 

For ten years, Alexis had Persia by her side helping to decrease her reliance on the adults around her by assisting with tasks that were difficult to manage on her own. Persia would retrieve a dropped lunch box, pick up pens and pencils, reach a light switch and provide reassurance that Alexis was capable of being independent with the help of a cold nose and a helping paw. When Persia passed away, Alexis knew another service dog would be a huge help in the next phase of her life. Alexis began the application process for her second dog, not knowing that her perfect match was not far away. A puppy was growing and learning with Canine Companions volunteer puppy raiser Sarah Crabtree at UCF as part of the university’s college puppy raising program. Alexis and Service Dog Eada were matched in 2020.