Our Clients
“Atlas has taught me how valuable life is. Not only by having to take care of myself but taking care of him as well. Life moves by fast, so we have to plan out what we want to achieve and organize it in the best way possible to make those goals come to life.”
-Tesia T.
“Because of Axel I feel confident and independent enough to go to college this year (2022). I wouldn’t have gone without him. Hail to Pitt!”
-Megan Y.
“Amos has given me confidence and stability. He has saved me multiple times. Amos assists my mom with my seizure care when I have a seizure by retrieving my medication and magnet for my treatment.”
-Paul V.
“My favorite things to do with Kato are to teach him fun tricks like reading and knowing different colors. It has giving me something to work for.”
-Lakin B.
“The most fond memory I shared with my service dog was the first time we met. He kissed my face so sweetly. It was love at first sight.”
–Alexis B
“Since getting my service dog, Spencer, I have had less seizures and he has made me so happy!”
–Vanessa B
“When I first saw Avex come through the doors of the hotel I knew it was going to be him. When he got to me I didn’t want to let him go. I know and knew then that it would be me and him forever.”
–Samantha L
“Having Maddie allows me to feel more confident and allows me to be more independent.”
–Vinnie M
“Having a service dog that cares about me and that I care so much about has resulted in a constant positive motivation in my life”
–Martin D
“Bentley has allowed me to live a more normal life. He keeps me safe.”
–Raquel W
“Tango has helped make me feel calmer and safer, even in my own home. I love taking her with me to volunteer.”
–Wendy M
“The most fond memory I shared with my service dog was our first night in the hotel when he was given to me. I turned my back on him in the bed to get him to go to sleep. He nuzzled his nose into my neck and sighed… I was taken. He was mine!”
–Fonda P
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without Canines for Change and all the trainers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. And a very special thank you to Nikki for never giving up on me.”
–Tammy N
“Raisin has made my life a million times better. At times when my seizures have been the worst, she has given me more confidence when my family is not around and I feel safer with her by my side. When I was in the hospital during Covid my family was not able to visit me but having Raisin with me help me feel less scared and happy to have a friend with me.”
-Angelo P.
“GIBBS — NOT ONLY MY SEIZURE SERVICE DOG, BUT MY LIFE SAVING DOG. He saved me from a deadly reaction to a yellow jacket bite. I was unable to reach life line or call for help. He knew I was in deep danger and set off my life line. Once the medics arrived Gibbs stayed right on the cart and would not leave as they treated me, gave me the shot and stabilized me. They had to work around him. Today I give him 10 paws up.”
–Stephen Gross
“During my sophomore year in high school, my life changed dramatically. I started having seizures due to stress. Daily things got pretty tough to do because of the twenty seizures I would have during the day. Then I found Canines for Change. I originally started out as a volunteer. I received Miles to help train as an epilepsy service dog, and my seizures stopped during the day soon after I started working with Miles. During the night, Miles would actually help to stop my seizures. My parents knew right away not to separate the two of us. Now Miles is my service dog and my life has been so much easier because of him. I don’t know where I would be without Miles. Miles and I are a team and we’ll walk each milestone together.”
–Laura Horan
Loki has given me confidence and brought joy into my life. We like to go for walks, play ball, snuggle and watch movies. The moment we met, I knew we were going to be best friends forever.
-Diana W
“Willette spent an amazing week in Disney world. He was put to the max test with a lot of walking, loud noises, character greetings, at times kennel breaks while we rode rides and at other times he got to ride the rides like the Haunted Mansion, Frozen, and Buzz Light Year. Willette performed amazing. He was well loved by all the characters he met, especially PLUTO. Disney was amazing with the service dog and it was a trip of a lifetime. Thanks Canines for Change for a such great dog!”
–Lucas (via Laura Murdock)
Lucas has given me more freedom to go out knowing he will always be there for me (support). We go to parks and go bowling. Going into the ocean at VA Beach is my favorite memory.
-Daniel P.
“Canines for Change is awesome! We can never say enough about how Venture has changed the life of our family, especially David. Thank you Canines for Change!”
– Betty Huggins Facey
“Jersey has been a wonderful assistance dog for me and has helped me get out in the community, volunteer at UU and at the STATE Theatre. We passed the ADA test the third time we worked together! That being said, service or assistance dogs need to continue to train and practice new behaviors as you become a working team!”
–Shari Cope
Lewis is much more than just a facility dog. He is a true part of our staff and community here at Mason High School. His presence has transformed the way our school feels both in the halls and within classrooms.
He has brought people together. My favorite thing is to walk him down the halls and hear students call his name and light up when they see him. People who do not know each other come to pet him, and for that moment, these two strangers connect. And that connection makes life just a bit easier.
He brings smiles! He is a morning dog and LOVES running down the halls, stopping at groups of students, and going into classrooms to say hello. He loves playing with the students who start their day in the library. You just cannot have a bad morning when you see this dog smile as he trots down the halls.
For students struggling with anxiety or trauma, Lewis just knows. He knows who needs some extra love and he gravitates to them. His presence alone breaks any negative cycle or self-talk. He comforts the lonely and the brokenhearted.
Though he often just sleeps during a class when he is visiting a teacher’s room, his presence alone changes the atmosphere. Teachers and students report feeling calmer just knowing he is there…snoozing away on his mat. Rowdy classes are more subdued, quiet students reach out to connect with him, and demanding teachers are a touch softer when Lewis is around. He’s so well loved that some teachers have brought in their own special “Lewis” mats, treats, and toys. I cannot explain the joy it brings when I hear students say, “We are getting Lewis in 4th hour today!”
And it’s not just the students. Our staff love and need him, too. Teachers regularly seek him out when they need some comfort, have had a bad day, or just have a few minutes to spare. During staff meetings, they quietly call Lewis to them, share a smile with their colleagues when he picks their table to nap under, and melt when he lays with his head in their lap.
There are so many ways Lewis has positively impacted our school, but I think the biggest is that he reminds us of the importance of connection, empathy, and acceptance. He doesn’t ask for much—just love and kindness in return…and maybe a belly rub or two.
Dr. Krista Sherman
Mason High School