Sixth graders from Newfane Central School have been coming to Canine Helpers of Saturdays to do community service work. They’ve done a fantastic job cutting, counting and bundling Campbell’s labels. Some students have worked on them at school after classes as well. Our goal is to get a van, which takes 1,075,000 labels. That’s a lot of counting (not to mention a lot of soup and label savers!)

They have also been grooming, exercising and obedience training the dogs. We can always tell when it’s Saturday, because the dogs get excited knowing these special friends are coming in to work and play with them.

All your time is greatly appreciated by us and the dogs. Thank you!

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And what a grand year it is! Our new training facility has been completed. What a difference to have a big 40’ x 30’ training room, a meeting room, a business office, and an accessible restroom. No more shuffling dogs from room to room to train, or having to talk over people, dogs, and a bird when you’re on the telephone. The training room has ample space to work freely with clients in wheelchairs, and enables a couple of trainers to work at one time.

We were also able to purchase a new Ford Windstar mini van for our frequent travels for client interviewing, training, and follow-ups, as well as for demonstrations, fundraising, and dog training. We’ve already put 10,000 miles on it in less than 4 months. Our old wheelchair van is still running with 120,000 miles on it, but is being preserved for hauling clients in wheelchairs and large group training excursions.

We owe much of our recent good fortune to the generosity of the late Adam Dean Moser. What a wonderful blessing his gift has been! His legacy will continue to live on for many years to come as more and more people will be able to obtain independence and security through the use of their Assistance Dogs. We have also received an outstanding response from our donors, new and old. Your donations and sponsorships are so important for the training of the dogs and clients. Without your support, there would not be successful placements.

Sometimes, as we are surrounded by all the bad news in the media, we tend to overlook all the good people out there helping and caring about one another. Every single person who has helped us out over the past 15 years is to be thanked and saluted for the success of Canine Helpers. We certainly couldn’t have done it without you!

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"A person’s worth to a community or nation is no longer measured by his physical assets, but rather by his ability to render service to humanity"…James Cash Penney

Perhaps some of you already know Marion. After all, if it were not for her, Canine Helpers nay not be celebrating its 15^th anniversary this year. You may have spoken to Marion while she was in our office doing book work, or waved at her while she was out mowing our lawn or tending the flowers. Maybe you buy her cookies and cakes at our open houses and mall sales, or have attended one of our graduation dinners that she prepared. Or perhaps her name is familiar because you send her your Tops and Quality tapes to be added and turned in. But for those of you who may not know her, I’ll continue…Marion also donated the land on which Canine Helpers’ training center was built and has served as treasurer on our Board of Directors since its beginning in 1983! She has also cooked meals, cleaned floors, washed dishes, painted walls and dog sat. Actually she has volunteered countless hours in every possible phase of our work.

Marion has never expected public recognition for her work; actually, she prefers to stay in the background. Just knowing that you are needed and realizing you can make a very positive difference in someone else’s life is a wonderful feeling and the philosophy by which Marion lives.

On April 22^nd a very deserving volunteer – Marion Underwood – was honored at the 1998 J.C. Penney Golden Rule Awards ceremony for her 15 years of outstanding volunteer services to Canine Helpers.

"Our hats are off to you, Mom. Thank you so very much!!"

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