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 Jay Fiedler, a former NFL quarterback for the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets.
Fiedler who now runs a sports summer camp was excited to support DogFest.
“I got introduced to Canine Companions for Independence over a year ago and was just so impressed by the work they do and the different ways they help people from kids to veterans,” said Fiedler.
Dyan Latini of Massapequa, who was a puppy raiser in 2010 with her dog Slick, came out to support as well.
“We had Slick for 20 months and he went on to advanced training but unfortunately he was released, so now he is our pet and we love him,” said Latini. “We foster other puppies when puppy raisers go on vacation and we are happy to do that.”
There is only a 40 percent success rate of dogs who make it through the program. Those who graduate have a huge impact on the people they serve.
Karen Hoffman of Massapequa braved the rain and came with her two Great Danes, Bruno and Axel. Even though the dogs were intimidating to look at by their sheer size, they were amazingly calm.
“They do sooth you. If you’re calm, they come and put their head in your lap,” said Hoffman, who always rescued dogs out of the pound. She thought she was getting a lab mix and it turned out to be a Great Dane.
“They are perfect dogs in every way, but they are big,” said Hoffman. “They can go in a crowd and just stand there, unlike little dogs that can drive you nuts,” she said of the smaller breeds that can be very demanding, overly energetic, and noisy.
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.
