CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE
Canine Companions Institute (CCI) awarded CJC a new team member in 2010.
Tabitha II is a fully certified Service Facility Dog that belongs to CCI, but is placed at CJC to help comfort children who are under stress or who have been traumatized due to abuse. First time visitors to the center now have the option of an animal-assisted greeting and Tabitha holds specialized calming and comforting skills to help bring down tensions and increase the child-friendly nature of the center. Also, children who must undergo a medical exam or appear in court have Tabitha to comfort them along the way.
When CCI hands off the leash to a disabled person or a facility, they have invested approximately $20,000 in her breeding, care and training. It is truly an honor to have her on our CJC team and she is a very special addition to this community who has welcomed her with open arms.
Tabitha has two certified dog handlers at the center who received their training at CCI. This training was generously funded through a donation from the iQ Credit Union Foundation.
In addition, Dr. Mark Burton of Evergreen Animal Hospital is providing free veterinary care for Tabitha.
CJC is grateful to their community partners who make the center a better place for child victims of abuse. Thank you!
For more information about CCI see their website.
