Gifts from Meadows
Foundation and
Colonnetta family
have tails wagging
On the anniversary of its first year
in operation, the Canine Companions
for Independence Baylor Scott &
®
White Health – Kinkeade Campus
received two generous gifts that will
help pair trained assistance dogs
with people with disabilities.
Joe and Kimberly Colonnetta
recently gave $100,000 and the
Meadows Foundation, which has a
special interest in both companion
animals and programs serving the
disabled, gave $150,000 in support
of Canine Companions.
After attending a Baylor Health
Care System Foundation board
meeting where they learned about
the program, Kimberly Colonnetta
and her husband were inspired to
provide support. The Colonnettas
also decided to train a puppy for the
program, a yellow Labrador named
Atlas.
“I’ve been a community volunteer
for years, but this is far and away the
best thing I’ve ever done,” said
Kimberly, who with her family raised
Atlas for 16 months. They recently
sent him on for professional training
through the program.
Baylor Scott & White Health
2014. The nine-acre campus opened
Kimberly Colonnetta, Atlas; back row (left
to right): Damon, Maggie, Michael, Lucy
and Jack Colonnetta
dormitory rooms, kennels, indoor
Each participant completes a two-
affiliated with Canine Companions in
in November 2015 and includes
and outdoor training areas, and
week course at the campus —
areas for grooming, food preparation,
the dog, and to prepare them to work
The average cost to train and
for the care, feeding, housing and
assistance dog is more than $50,000.
We continue to raise funds to
multipurpose spaces. It also has
designed to match the person and
and a veterinary clinic and lab.
together while becoming responsible
provide follow-up services for one
medical needs of the dog.
The dogs are provided free of charge
develop and support the Kinkeade
to p e o p l e wi th p hys i c a l o r
developmental disabilities, so this
philanthropic support is
important.
Campus.
For more information on Canine
Companions for Independence at
Baylor Scott & White Health —
Kinkeade Campus, please contact
Sarah Burdi at 214.820.4721 or
[email protected].
The Meadows Foundation gift will be
recognized on the Canine Companions for
Independence Baylor Scott & White Health –
Kinkeade Campus van.