Marisa
Canine Companions
Class: May 10 to 22, 2004
Assistance Dogs International (ADI) Test: July 9, 2004
In May, we got a new addition to our family. Marisa is a Canine Companion for Independence (CCI) dog who is two years old, 56 lbs, 50% Lab and 50% Retriever, and very well trained.
Jason and Marisa
The process to get a CCI dog involves filling out a pre-application form, completing a long application form (full essay), doing a one hour phone interview, attending a full day interview, and then getting accepted to go on the waiting list. Once your name comes up, you must attend a two week training course, get matched with a dog, pass a two hour written test, and pass a two hour practical test. Then, you get a temporary certification. The practical ADI test must be taken again in 45 days for the real certification, and then annually thereafter. And yes, it is all worth it.
What can Marisa do?
The puppies all come from CCI breeders. At eight weeks, they are paired up with a puppy raiser that trains them for 15 to 18 months. Then the puppies are turned into a CCI center and given advanced training for six months. Only one of four make it to the final step: matched with a person or family at a two week course.
These are the commands Marisa knows:
BACK - dog walks backward
BED - dog lies down on a target
BEHIND - dog positions itself behind the handler. Great for getting through doors.
BUTTON - dog pushes handicapped door open button with nose
CAR - dog loads into vehicle
DOWN - dog lies down
DRESS - dog holds still while vest or collar is put on
DROP - dog lets the tug item fall from its mouth
GET - dog retrieves an object
GIVE - dog releases the retrieved object
HEEL - dog positions itself on handlers left side
HERE - dog returns to handler and sits
HOLD - dog grips the item in its mouth
HURRY - dog toilets itself
JUMP - dog places entire body on top of an object
KENNEL - dog goes inside kennel
LAP - dog places front legs across lap
LET'S GO - dog moves forward with handler and keeps pace
DON'T - verbal correction
OFF - dog returns to ground or removes itself from interactive command
OK - dog can eat or drink
OUT - dog goes away from handler across a threshold (door)
PUSH - dog uses nose to close a door or drawer
QUIET - dog stops barking
RELEASE - dog is permitted to take a break from the command she was performing
ROLL - dog will expose its underside
SHAKE - dog extends paw toward person's hand
SIDE - dog positions itself on right side of handler
SIT - dog sits
SPEAK - dog barks
STAND - dog stands on all four feet
STAY - dog holds a command position
STEP - dog places front feet on wheelchair's footrest
TUG - dog will pull a strap with its mouth (opening a door)
UNDER - dog places itself beneath an object (table) and lays down
UP - dog places its front paws on a raised surface
VISIT - dog lays its head in a lap
WAIT - dog will not move forward across a threshold
What did we learn in our two weeks of training? Here is the lectures (and daily quizzes) list:
Orientation to the canine
Correction
Commands
Motivators
Resistance
Canine Communication
Canine Learning Theory
Safety and Public Etiquette
Grooming
Daily Routines
Canine Health
Advanced Learning Theory
These pictures are from our two week training course.
The Class
Practice on the stuffed dog first
Practicing "Let's Go" with Cal
On the second day, we got to pet and meet all the dogs. This is Ireland.
Our instructors, Jen, Jackie and Simi, and the quiz hand-in tray
Fantastic lunches were provided each day by volunteers
Pepper came in each morning and made hot breakfasts
Getting ready to practice the "under" command using the bench
On Thurs of the first week, the matches were made. The first thing Marisa did was put her head on Jason's lap.
Grooming lessons
Nancy is supposed to be practicing checking Marisa nails, but she got side-tracked by a belly rub.
Our first field trip - Killer Pizza from Mars (these are apprentice instructors Shelly and Heather). We also went to Lowe's and Petco on other days.
On Friday of the first week, we got to take Marisa overnight to our room
On Saturday, Rachel was able to join us and help groom
A field trip to the beach and practicing the "up" command with help from instructor Todd.
At the beach
A field trip to the mall
A play date with Ireland and Marisa
All about the graduation
On Saturday, May 22, we met Marisa's puppy raiser, Pam K, from the Sacramento area. This is Pam's first puppy. After we had lunch with all the puppy raisers, they got to spend some time alone with the dogs. Pam took Marisa everywhere with her for 15 months. Then she dropped Marisa off for advanced training and didn't get to see her over the last six months.
About 250 people attended the graduation ceremony. First, puppies were given to puppy raisers. Next 15 to 18 month old trained puppies were presented to CCI by puppy raisers for advanced training. Finally, the five families in this class were presented their new dogs by each dog's puppy raiser. The Southwest Region of CCI covers nine states. Each year, in this region, there are only 20 to 25 matches.
Getting ready for graduation
Tulare and Smittie in the dog dryer
On graduation day, we met Pam K, Marisa's puppy raiser. Pam got to spend some time with Marisa, who she hadn't seen in 6 months, and present Marisa to us at graduation.
Click here to go to Pam's web site which has more Marisa photos and CCI information.
A future Canine Companion.
Our Classmates
Pia, Chanele and Tulare (from Temecula,CA). Reading used to be a chore that Chanele didn't like, but now she asks to read books to Tulare each night.
Holly, Jacob and Ireland (from Colorada). Jacob started saying "let's" as in the "Let's Go" command. His only other word before getting Ireland was Mom.
Connie, Andrew and Smittie (from Escondido, CA). Andrew's first words in three years were "good girl" spoken to Smittie.
Kim, Kimberlin and Cal (from Texas) getting ready for a little interactive fetch play.
How did Marisa get her name?
Marisa's YouTube video.
Marisa is named after Marisa Joy from the third season of American Idol on FOX TV. She is the daughter of the breeder/caretaker of our Marisa's mom (Roschu).
Eukanuba TV Commerical, October 2009
A commercial about Canine Companion Service Dogs. Jason, Marisa and Tim have a 2 second cameo near the end.
The ADI Test
The ADI test takers.
The test givers.
During the test, Marisa is in an "under" wondering why that lady keeps throwing food at her, and doing a very good job of ignoring it.
During the test, Marisa delivering a water bottle that she was told to pick up.
The five offically certified graduates (left-to-right): Cal, Smittie, Tularie, Ireland and Marisa
Thanks to CCI. What an incredible group of people!
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