Driving rain and cold temperatures could not keep Long Islanders from coming out to support the first annual DogFest Walk ‘n Roll, a fundraiser for Canine Companions for Independence. Held for the first time at Marjorie Post Park in Massapequa, dogs of all breeds and sizes came with their humans with one goal in mind; to raise funds for CCI.
Massapequa resident and event organizer Yvonne Dagger, past president and now board member, discussed the importance of the event.
“This is one of our major fundraisers for the year. It is a national signature event which is taking place in 22 cities in the United States,” said Dagger. “Canine Companions for Independence is a not for profit organization which relies on contributions to fulfill their mission of providing highly trained assistance dogs to children, adults and veterans with disabilities all free of charge,” she continued, adding that going into the event CIC raised $30,000 and that it takes $50,000 for the training of one assist dog.
The event featured vendors, gift baskets, Peter Mazio and the hit squad band, B103 radio, and the master of ceremonies was Jay Fiedler, a former NFL quarterback for the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets.
Sondra Slomovitz, a puppy raiser from Old Bethpage attended the event with her husband, Rich.
“We have a release dog named Diesel who was entered into the program in May and released six weeks later for being overly active,” said Slomovitz, who introduced her other dog, Lauris, a seven month old pup. “I have raised three dogs and none have gone on but hopefully this time will be the charm.”
Slomovitz explained that she supports CIC because of her love for dogs, and the opportunity it affords her to work with people that have physical disabilities. She hopes to raise a dog that can help someone in the future. Her husband Rich shared her sentiments.
“It is such a great cause and to watch the people get the dogs at the graduation is to see the difference these dogs make,” he said. “It’s fun to raise the puppies and watch them grow up and hopefully become service dogs.”
While there is only a 40 percent success rate of dogs who make it through the program, those that graduate have a huge impact on the people they serve.
Kelly O’Brian of Plainview braved the rain with her twelve year old son, Frankie Cavalli, and their CCI dog Victory, who was celebrating her third birthday that day.
“We have a CCI dog because my son was diagnosed with Autism when he was two,” said O’Brian, who met a woman with a CCI dog by chance. “She had a dog who had been released and told me about Canine Companions. I contacted CCI and thought this would be great for Frankie.”
O’Brian and her son applied for a dog and waited for two years before receiving a phone call that they would be receiving one.
“She had given him so much more self-confidence, it’s a social bridge,” said O’Brian of Victory’s influence over her son. “Frankie is able to talk more, stay focused, and he is also doing better in school because the dog will sit next to him at home while he is doing his homework.”
Frankie loves Victory because she is a good dog and very special friend.
“She helps me with my homework, helps me focus on studying and with my self-confidence,” said Frankie. “When I come home from school she is always looking at the door, and when I open the door she goes crazy,” he continued as Victory lovingly placed her head on Frankie’s lap.
This year’s event was a rainy success for dogs and their humans, as CIC once again got its message out to people and raised an impressive amount of funds for its furry friends.
To learn for about Canine Companions for Independence go to cci.org or visit the Long Island Headquarters in Medford.
