Community Corner

Patchogue Teen Paired With Assistance Dog Through Canine Companions for Independence

13-year-old Melanie Morano was paired with Matisse, a two-year-old assistance dog through the non-profit Canine Companions for Independence.

Just in time for International Assistance Dog Week, which kicks off on August 3, Melanie Morano, 13, of Patchogue, was recently matched with a two-year-old assistance dog named Matisse through the non-profit Canine Companions for Independence, a national non-profit organization that provides assistance dogs to children and adults with disabilities.

“Matisse is a very special dog and I hope to have many wonderful years with him,” said Melanie. 

Matisse, a Labrador/Golden Retriever mix, has been trained to respond to over 50 commands, including turning light switches on and off, opening and closing doors and retrieving dropped objects. 

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Students who attend Canine Companion’s Team Training, which is held at each of the organization’s five regional centers only four times a year, is paired with a fully-trained, working assistance dog and is taught to work with the animal. The course is comprised of daily lectures, exams, practice and public outings.

Melanie and Matisse spent two weeks in training during the intense course, held at the organization’s Northeast Regional Center in Medford. The Northeast Regional Center serves a 13-state area spanning from Maine to Virginia.

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Canine Companions for Independence, the largest non-profit provider of trained assistance dogs, was established in 1975 and is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs, and the quality and longevity of the matches it makes between its human-canine pairs. There is no charge for the dog, training, or follow-up services. For more information, visit cci.org or call 1-800-572-BARK.

 


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