The tremendous extent to which service dogs give independence to people with disabilities cannot be overstated. These incredible working dogs are professionally trained to change the lives of those they service through a variety of day-to-day tasks, like picking up a dropped cell phone, opening doors, pulling wheelchairs, and so much more.

Canine Companions leads the service dog industry, providing service dogs free of charge to their clients.

The special pups are bred at the national headquarters in Santa Rosa, Calif., then live with volunteer puppy raisers who teach basic commands and obedience for a year and a half. The dogs move to the regional headquarters in Medford for six to nine months of reward-based professional training. Trainers utilize adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters while teaching the dogs specialized commands. Finally, the dogs are matched with someone with disabilities who becomes their forever home.

Canine Companions in Medford kicked off National Service Dog Month on Friday, Aug. 30, with emotional reunions of service dog teams and the volunteer puppy raisers who invested a year and a half raising these service dogs.

Attendees toured the facility and got an exclusive, first-time public screening of the animated short film “Andy: A Dog’s Tale,” highlighting the journey of a Canine Companions puppy.

Among those reunited was volunteer puppy raiser Anthony Kozberg of New York City and service dog Hera, who has been aiding Nicole Tarzia of Pembroke, Mass., since 2018. Kozberg has raised an outstanding 16 service dogs for Canine Companions thus far, and says New York City is one of the best places to socialize dogs. During the reunion, Hera clearly remembered Kozberg despite all the years that passed, as she excitedly jumped on and licked her old friend.

Another heartfelt reunion was had between volunteer puppy-raiser Betsy Byron of New Haven, Conn., and labrador Ralph, who was matched with Lauren Hemmerly of Medford, N.Y., in 2017.

Hemmerly has dwarfism and stands just over 3 feet tall. Hemmerly attributes her independence to the assistance of her prior service dog and Ralph, who now helps her through over 40 commands, which can be linked together to form new commands. When Hemmerly struggles to reach cash registers, Ralph takes her credit card and passes it to cashiers using his paws. And in big crowds, when Hemmerly previously was not seen by others and was at risk of getting trampled, Ralph now takes up space by her side and helps her be noticed.

“He comes to the office with me every day, and without him I would not be able to go to work by myself. I would definitely need someone helping me up and down the stairs, carrying my things, all that stuff,” said Hemmerly. “It makes such a huge difference because it gives you a sense of security and independence, and I do not necessarily need someone, a family member or a caregiver, to live a life like everybody else. It is you and your four-legged friend all day, every day. It is amazing”

Ralph was the second dog raised by volunteer puppy-raiser Betsy Byron, who has now raised a total of six Canine Companions dogs, with more to come.

“It is so lovely to see the work that they do, and that they are so bonded. It is a very nice feeling to see him in a happy situation and enhancing someone’s life.”