When we set out to launch Squeeze, we wanted to find a like-minded feel-good organization to partner with and support out the gate. We searched high and low and found the perfect organization to align with: Canine Companions for Independence.
Canine Companions® is a nonprofit organization that improves the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs at no charge to the recipient.
Just like Squeeze is dedicated to making our guests feel good to empower them to be the best version of themselves through the healing hands of our therapists, Canine Companions is doing the same for people with disabilities through their amazing assistance dogs. We think you’ll be just as blown away as we are by the things they’re doing. And c’mon … who doesn’t love puppies?!
Our partnership with them includes the following:
- For every membership sold, Squeeze is helping to provide a day of canine support to a person with a disability through Canine Companions for Independence.
- Local events throughout the year where Squeeze team members will have the opportunity to participate and volunteer.
- And… Puppy Time! Periodically throughout the year, Canine Companions will bring puppies to our shop to brighten our spirit and day!
Some fun facts about Canine Companions:
- They are one of the only organizations to provide assistance dogs free of charge (others charge anywhere from $30-50K for a person with a disability to get access to an assistance dog)
- They train assistance dogs in four categories:
- Assistance dogs for adults:
- Adults with disabilities are partnered with service dogs to assist with daily tasks to increase independence, or hearing dogs to alert to important sounds in their environment.
- Assistance dogs for children:
- Assistance dogs are trained to perform tasks for children with physical, cognitive and developmental disabilities to increase independence and inclusion.
- Assistance dogs for professionals:
- Facility dogs work with clients with special needs in a visitation, education, criminal justice or healthcare setting.
- Assistance dogs for veterans:
- Wounded military, veterans with disabilities, and those with PTSD are matched with expertly trained assistance dogs for greater independence.
- Assistance dogs for adults:
Canine Companions was founded in 1975 and Charles and Jean Schulz were huge benefactors - they built the company's Santa Rosa headquarters and Jean still sits on the board.
