Donate today and your gift will help provide expertly trained service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities.
Thank you to dedicated sponsor, B & B Supply Inc., who generously matched all donations made up to $25,000!
Stories of Independence
Sawyer & Biddy
Ask nine-year-old Sawyer about his furry sidekick, Biddy, and you’ll learn just how much one black Lab/Golden Retriever mix, trained as a Canine Companions service dog, can make a difference in a child’s life. Sawyer and his twin brother Wyatt were born prematurely at 27 weeks. As a result, Sawyer has spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy, which impacts his ability to walk, his coordination, muscle tone and ability to perform several daily tasks.Sawyer and his dad Anthony fell for Biddy as soon as they met her, and the trainers agreed she was their perfect match. Sawyer gets help from Biddy as she retrieves items and opens doors. Having a buddy by his side takes the focus off his disability and wheelchair, increasing social interaction with other children. Biddy provides companionship, comfort at medical appointments and during physical therapy and greets Sawyer when he gets home from school.
Sawyer lost his brother in a tragic accident when he was three. Biddy, with her tail wagging, face licking, no-judgment demeanor, has brought joy into the Fricks home and lifts their spirits every day. She has given Sawyer confidence, loyal friendship, unconditional love and unlimited snuggling.
Kelly & Torie
Broken neck, broken bones, broken heart. The sole survivor of a plane crash, Kelly Bussio lay in a hospital bed, bolted to a metal halo, grieving the loss of her husband, and learning she would not walk again. After months of healing and recovery, and with a strong will to redefine herself, Kelly discovered Canine Companions. Kelly applied for her first service dog in 2009 and received Tadaki, “He was the brawn to my damaged body.”
Nine years later, when Tadaki retired, Kelly received successor dog, Torie, “She picked up right where Tadaki left off.”
Each service dog is valued at $50,000 because of the breeding, expert training and follow-up services Canine Companions provides. Please help Canine Companions continue this important work in Utah!
