 |
|
|
|
|||
 |
|
|||||
 |
|
 |
|
|||
 |
|
|||||
|
|
About us |
|||||||||||||
|
Mission: To operate as a non profit organization, who's funds will be equally allocated to the 2 following programs:
Vision : To help individuals with disabilities that wish to gain independence through the assistance of a specially trained Assistance Dog by teaming them with one that will assist them in their specific needs. To educate and create awareness among the general public regarding Disabilities and Assistance dogs. To inform of the benefits that these well-trained dogs provide to people with disabilities that choose to use them to gain independence. Values: We (CWAC) have some fundamental values that are based on the belief that people have the following things in common: " We are all of equally valuable. " We are all physically, mentally, emotionally different and unique. " We all need each other in some level. " We are constantly either teaching or/and learning from each other. " We have all been given special gifts to share with each other. Who? - When?
Clearly believing she was given a second chance at life, she was determined to offer her skills and experience for the benefit of others in need. She was well aware of the potential help an assistance dog could provide to someone who was affected by a disability and aware of the great demand for these dogs, she decided to start training them and offer them at no cost to those in need. Today, our non-profit charitable organization counts with 5 members on the Board of Directors as well as a wonderful team of volunteers who bring a positive attitude and very useful and unique experiences from different areas. As Miriam often mentions, '...our volunteers are CWAC's greatest assets!' Our mission is to help people with disabilities become more independent with the assistance of a service dog. We believe this to be a service path rather than a profitable one. Therefore, we applied and successfully received Charitable status. Canines with a Cause has room for more key members to take upon other roles in the organization. In particular, we are looking for someone with legal expertise, and accounting background, veterinarian medicine background, as well as someone with experience in organizing large fundraising events. If you believe you share our vision of helping those members of our community with the assistance of a Service Dog and are interested in becoming a member, if you are looking for a great challenge, and want to become part of this team, contact us and we'll provide you with more information. Back to topWhere? Our main office is located in Ottawa, Ontario (Canada). At this time CWAC does not have a wheelchair accessible training center yet and relies on local facilities offered from time to time to do training sessions, meetings and such. We look forward to start a special Fund towards our future wheelchair accessible training center. At this moment, we are only serving individuals located in the Ottawa area.. If you are located elsewhere and would like to know about similar organizations near you, please email us and we will try to find one for you. What? Canines with a Cause's has 2 programs to which efforts are directed equally:
If you are thinking of applying for a service dog, please check our section on how to apply. If you are interested in scheduling a presentation in your school or community group click here. To link to other Canadian Service Dogs organizations, click here. How? We use a lot of positive reinforcement when training the dogs. An enjoyable experience when doing the work is necessary to get the most cooperation from the dog. This gives the dog confidence to do what's been asked for him/her to do. At early stages, treats and toys are used until the command wanted is fully learn. In many cases we give the "command" when the behaviour comes naturally. For instance, if a young puppy is putting his front paws on your lap, rather than correcting the behaviour we say "my lap", "GOOD my lap", and as the pup goes down, "off", "GOOD off", therefore making an early and easy association to commands and behaviours. Gradually, these get removed, although in occasions, a treat might be a good reinforcement and communicates the dog that indeed he's doing what you want him/her to do. When an unwanted behavior occurs, for most of the occasion, ignoring it and redirecting the dog's focus on the behavior you do want is what we do. Why? Because at Canines with a Cause, we believe that we are successfully assisting members of our community, affected with mobility-related disabilities, in the process of becoming more independent and integrated into our community. We have some fundamental values that are based on the belief that people have the following things in common:
Current members of the Board of Directors:Canines with a Cause counts with 4 members in the Board of Directors:
Louise Ouellette-Bolduc - Start date: September 20, 2003 "I am thrilled to be a part of this wonderful organization.
I am an Ottawa area mother of two with an extensive background
in sales, marketing, and volunteerism. In the past I have worked
with hearing impared children, children with autism, and children
and adults with downs syndrom. I have been involved with dogs
for as long as I can remember and currently my household includes
two Great Danes. One who is throroughly enjoying learning some
of the tasks taught to our mobility assistance dogs. I look forward
to being a long term member with Canines With A Cause and would
like to thank Miriam for giving me this wonderful opportunity."
- Louise Peter Platt - Start date: July 3, 2006 Having twenty five years experience in community policing, Peter brings an added dimension to the Board of Directors. Peter is a long standing dedicated advocate of the rights of persons with disabilities. At the present time Peter and his wife share their home with their Golden Retrievers. Peter and his Service Dog Choya, graduated from Canines with a Cause in 2005. Ann Randall - Start -2007 More info coming Doris Phillips - Start -Jan 2008 I am excited to share my experience as a puppy raiser and provide mentorship to
Bringing confidence to the puppy raiser through early public socialization with their pups will help lay the foundation for the path puppy raisers will follow. Copyright © Canines with a Cause. All rights
reserved
|
||||||||||||||
