Hollen's Graduation Speech

We are Linda and Grady Moorer from Weddington, North Carolina who raised Hollen who is graduating today with Dana and Linda. Grady and I are currently raising our second puppy, Foster.

As we celebrate Valentine's Day today we think of the people and things we love. What an appropriate day for the graduates to receive their new friend who will always assist them---and above all--love them unconditionally.

Today is definitely special for us because Hollen is graduating with her brother and sister Holza and Hoffman.

To today's graduating class--congratulations! You have worked very hard, especially during these past few weeks. We are sure you are happy yet tired and ready to get home and start your new life together as a graduate team. Puppy raisers are proud to be part of the CCI family that has given you the companion you are receiving today. When puppy raisers cry---they are tears of joy---not sadness. We are very proud of every graduate here today!

It's a team effort to get the dogs to graduation. Before we go any farther we want to thank some special people: To all breeder/caretakers, puppy raisers, donors, namesakes, veterinarians and volunteers. Each of you plays a major part in CCI's mission. Your efforts are deeply appreciated. To the Southeast CCI staff---Margaret, Alison, Renee', and Kathy Pearson who is here tonight, thank you for your caring and support! To the Northeast CCI staff who teach the puppies the advanced skills required to be a successful graduate. Thanks!

We would like to recognize Director Louis Murray, Office Staff Audra Schebler, Rob Manaseri, Velisha McFarlane and Trainer's Ellen Torop, Barbara Deevers, Lori Ann Dubecky and Julie Marshall. A heartfelt thank you!

Let's not forget the "keeper dogs"---our own pets---that take the CCI puppies under their wings, tolerate gnawing and biting of their ears and toes and are the best role models a CCI puppy could have.

We became puppy raisers because we wanted to make a difference and do something in memory of our parents who are deceased. What better way than to give the gift of independence. Being a puppy raiser is a mixture of hard work and fun. It's also an honor! There are things you experience with each puppy that makes them special or unforgettable. We would like to share some phases of being a puppy raiser with you.

The first few weeks phase: This is where your bundle of joy gets you up at 1 and 4 a.m. to go outside to "hurry". You smell your puppy's "Frito" feet and enjoy "puppy breath". You can't help but fall in love with them! This is when you wonder why training dogs isn't as easy as in the cartoon "For Better or Worse" where the little girl "shows" her new puppy how to sit, down and roll over and then says, "See? Now do it!"

When you first start taking your puppies out phase: Every puppy raiser has one time that they want to sink into the floor because of something their "little wonder" did. Grady and I were in Target and Grady had Hollen walking beside him. I was walking a little behind them and noticing how Hollen's tail was up, she was walking perfectly next to the basket, not pulling and just a great sight to behold-especially with her little sway when she walks. All of a sudden Hollen starts to squat in the main aisle close to the cash registers where a lot of people are waiting to check out. I cried Hollen "no" and quickly reached into the pocket of her cape. As Hollen is "Hurrying" I have the paper towel under her bottom to catch everything. I put the towel in the zip lock bag and away we went through the cashier's line. As Kim deArrillaga said, "There are no guarantees with puppy raising with ONE EXCEPTION---they will pee and poop in the house or out in public at some inopportune time!"

The socialization phase: Sunrise is a Corgi who was a puppy in training as a hearing dog. As part of the socialization process Laurie, her puppy raiser, took Sunrise to a high school play. Now remember, Sunrise is a "hearing dog" and Laurie has no sense of smell. As the play progressed, Sunrise would growl every so often. Laurie would correct her and people around them would laugh a little. At intermission a woman in seated in front of Laurie hurried out of the auditorium. As Laurie was telling her Mom that she had to take Sunrise out because of the noise she was making the people around her roared laughing and told Laurie that every time the woman passed gas Sunrise growled.

The advanced socialization phase: The dogs are learning to ignore many distractions and sometimes-obnoxious people. Jeanne and Holza took the train to work every day in Miami. As Holza and Jeanne waited for the train a man approached Jeanne and commented that "even with that beautiful dog, life must be very difficult for her-----being blind! Jeanne snatched off her sunglasses and explained that she wasn't blind, and that Holza was a puppy in training for a person with a physical disability. Suddenly Jeanne caught a whiff of the man's breath and realized he was quite intoxicated. The train arrived and they all boarded. As they were sitting down, the man said, "I know you didn't ask me for anything but I want you to use this to buy food for your dog." He then stuffed money into Holza's pocket. Jeanne tried to explain again that Holza was an Assistance Dog In Training but realized there was no use. Jeanne pulled out her book and began to read. About five minutes later, the man was remarking to other people on the train how hard Jeanne's life was because she was blind� Holza, being a good puppy in training, totally ignored the man. Needless to say they were glad to get off the train that night!

The turn in/letting go phase: You have been asked the question a million times, "How are you going to give the puppy up?" It's never easy, but when you see the graduate teams together you beam with pride and know you've made a difference. Raising a puppy and giving it up is the most "UNselfish thing you will ever do in your life.

At turn in time, especially as a first time puppy raiser not ever seeing the Northeast Facility before, you wonder about how your puppy will adjust to kennel life, what the trainers are like, what the facility is like and you worry a little---well maybe more than a little!

Becky Wolf wrote us saying that the NE staff is the greatest! When Becky and Yoki arrived at the training center early for Yoki's turn in the only person at the center was a kennel worker. As this person was cleaning the kennels she was singing a song with all the dogs names in it. She told Becky what kennel to put Yoki in and to take her time saying goodbye. Through her tears Becky didn't realize the kennel was still wet. The kennel worker realized the kennel was still damp and proceeded to dry the kennel with a blanket, handed Yoki a new nyla bone and added Yoki's name to the song she was singing.

We know the pups are well taken care of!

The career change phase: Sometimes a puppy is "career changed" which means they are released from the program. Every CCI puppy in training is a success! Some graduate, some go on to other careers and some are welcomed home as beloved pets. This mock "AP" News Release came to us from Laurie when Sunrise was "career changed": A Corgi named Sunrise was recently expelled from graduate school after she was found to have downloaded a term paper from the Internet. Said her trainer "I can train her, but I can't trust her". Sunrise was apprehended after she tried to sell the paper, titled "You Can Call, but I Won't Come" to her dorm mate. Tecumsa was questioned and allowed to remain at the University after it became clear that he had no part in the Internet term paper scam. Sunrise refused to answer questions posed to her by the AP Reporter.

The graduate phase: Where we are today, with pride and joy in our hearts!

In closing: Remember, in every Assistance Dog, lies a little bit of their puppy raiser's heart!

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