LETTER FROM
THE PRESIDENT
Canine Companions for Independence®
trains select dogs for placement with
individuals with physical and/or cognitive
challenges. It is headquartered in Santa
Rosa, California. Baylor Scott & White Health
is collaborating with them to build and
operate a training facility in Irving, Texas.
Founded in 1975, CCI “enhances the
lives of people with disabilities by providing
highly trained assistance dogs.” It is the
largest nonprofit provider of service dogs in
the United States.
Through our collaboration with CCI, we
will provide personalized health to meet the
unique medical, spiritual and emotional
needs of those clients selected through
CCI’s application process. This extends our
continuum of care well beyond a hospital or
doctor’s office
I visited with a trainer at the CCI
headquarters. She told me about working
with a Marine Corps veteran who served in
Iraq. We’ll call him Jack.
In addition to his many physical issues –
including hearing loss, a traumatic brain injury
4
and post-traumatic stress – Jack returned
from Iraq burdened with survivor’s guilt.
These challenges made it difficult for
him to get along with people and hold down
jobs. Alcohol became a sanctuary. He
couldn’t sleep.
Jack will tell you his relationship with
dogs – in particular his CCI dog – rescued
him. He soon realized that his connection
with his dog was one of the few positive
relationships left in his life.
In order to pull out of his downward
spiral, Jack knew something must change.
He had to start treating people the way he
treated his dog – with trust, patience and
understanding.
Jack slowly emerged from the shadow that
had come to define his life. Eager to help other
veterans, he volunteered to bring vets and
dogs together. He eventually became a
trainer. During training, he asked the veterans
in the program to look for parallels between
their interactions with their dogs and their
relationships with family, friends and
co-workers.
When problems have occurred – with dogs
or with people – what roles have frustration
and anger played? If patience had been
employed, how might things have gone
differently? The lessons became obvious.
Late this summer, we will open the
beautiful new Canine Companions for
Independence at Baylor Scott & White
Health – Kinkeade Campus making us one
of the first health and wellness centers to
collaborate with CCI.
As I reflect on Jack’s story, I can
confidently and proudly state that we are
making a difference, one deserving
individual at a time.
Rowland K. Robinson
President
Baylor Health Care System Foundation
[email protected]