Manassas women trains puppies to be of assistance to people who have disabilities

Canine Companions for Independence (CC4I), a national nonprofit providing assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities, reports in a press release that Brodie II, an assistance dog raised by a Manassas woman, was recently placed with a U.S. wounded veteran enrolled in a new joint study program with the Veterans Administration and CC4I.

The two year blind-study will help the Veterans Administration determine whether veterans with Post Traumatic Stress as a primary diagnosis can be helped by a highly trained assistance dog like Brodie, a two year old lab/golden retriever cross specially trained by CC4I to assist people with disabilities.

Volunteer Wendy Luterek of Manassas raised Brodie from an 8-week-old puppy, and said goodbye to him after a year and a half.  Wendy worked tirelessly with Brodie, teaching him basic commands, and the all-important socialization skills, according to the CC4I press release.

When he was old enough to begin advanced training, Brodie worked for 6 months with the organizations nationally renowned instructors, before being matched with a veteran in the new Veterans Administration PTSD Assistance Dog Study.

Luterek is a five-time CC4I volunteer puppy raiser and currently raising Puppy Felix.

For more information about the Veterans Administration/Canine Companions for Independence PTSD Assistance Dog Study, visit:  http://www.cci.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=cdKGIRNqEmG&b=4127877&ct=14194557

ABOUT CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE: Canine Companions for Independence is the largest non-profit provider of trained assistance dogs with six regional training centers across the country. Established in 1975, Canine Companions provides highly trained assistance dogs to children and adults with disabilities and is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs, and quality and longevity of the matches it makes between dogs and people. There is no charge for the dog, its training and on-going follow-up services. For more information, visit cci.org or call 1-800-572-BARK.