VETERANS..
5/15/12
Last week we had a service dog "golf" lesson at the Pearl Golf Club in Calabash, with Veteran Gordon and his dog Major, Veteran Jim and Toby, Jeanne, CA Therapy Dog Coordinator, and trainer Rick.... some pics:
Harold Ramsey and Kaylie
Canine Angels welcomes a Vietnam veteran, Harold Ramsey of Ocean Isle Beach, into our working service dog program. As a joint venture, Canine Angels and Harold have teamed to train Harold's 1 year old female pit bull, Kaylie, for her to become a trained and certified service dog. Harold is a conscientious and serious student, dedicated to making this sweet pup into the best dog she can be, and he is succeeding admirably. Kaylie has made great strides in just a few months, and is sure to reach certification stage within the next few. Updates to follow:
12/17
Meet Jim Miller, our newest veteran, proud owner of Canine Angels service dog, Toby:
Rick,
I wanted to give you a quick background of my Air Force service. I served for 6 years from 1974 - 1980. I was assigned to the 25th Air Division in the Aerospace Defense Command as a weapons controller. Our Division was responsible for the defense of the northwestern United States during the cold war. As a weapons controller I would control fighter aircraft using radar, with voice and data link instructions to the pilots, to intercept and destroy airborne threats. Our Squadron received 2 Unit Commendation medals, I received 2 Air Force Commendation medals and 1 good conduct medal. I volunteered for and was accepted on to the Combat Crew. I advanced to the highest level of weapons controller as an expert. I spent my last year in the Air Training Command as a weapons controller instructor. I had the time of my life and enjoyed every minute during my service in the United States Air Force. I attached a picture of my medals and some of the patches I wore. Sincerely, Jim Miller
10/1 Barney proves his worth!!!
Barney is our Canine Angel...
He is adjusting very well and has become our faithful friend and companion, only being with us less than a month...
Today Joe, who is 91, fell in the bedroom... Thank God that it was only a minor small bruise on his hand...
I was in the other room... at first I did not know what had happened ....but Barney did - he left me know by barking loudly, and running to Joe's side. He stayed there until Joe was able to get up.....
How Blessed we are to have him in our lives ...thank you, Rick
Love, Mary and Joseph
9/21/11
Barney goes to work in a loving home......
Last month I met Bob and his dog Barney, a 6 year old chow/lab mix, at the Ocean Isle Veterinary Hospital, where Barney, considered by all who knew him to be dog aggressive, was in danger. Bob, Barney's original owner, is sadly ill, and was tormented and torn by both his love for Barney and his fear of leaving Barney behind in his aggressive state. Good timing, for Barney found me, Rick Kaplan, in that hospital at that moment. I offered my training services to evaluate Barney, and within an hour it was clear that Barney suffered from a lack of identity, not dog aggression. To Bob's ultimate credit, he donated Barney to Canine Angels, along with a gift to cover some training costs, in exchange for a promise of training and placement.
Weeks later, Barney is now a dream dog: he does not bark excessively, does not chew, is 100% house trained, and is a loving and attentive boy. He got along handsomely with our pack of 6, and never caused any conflict whatsoever. He is now trained to sit, come, stay, and heel on command. Meet Mary and Joseph. Joseph is 91 years of age, and a member of the "greatest generation", a WWII veteran, a true American hero, winner of the Purple Heart, for whom Canine Angels exists. Joseph served in North Africa, over 70 years ago, and was injured in a land mine explosion that his jeep detonated. The couple met Barney and fell for him immediately. Within days, Barney was adopted and serving them as a companion, bringing entertainment and smiles to their home all day long. Joseph can be found on his electric scooter with Barney at his side going down their road several times each day. Mary has complete control over Barney, and he is happy to please her without hesitation.
This is a success story that is just beginning, and updates will be forthcoming regularly. There are many lessons for all of us here, especially that each one of us has a purpose at all times, even though that purpose might be, at times, difficult to find. We must never give up in our quest to have meaning and to move forward, regardless of state of mind, condition of body, or age. I take my hat off to Bob, for sending Barney to find his new meaning, for having faith in Canine Angels, and for his most sincere wishes to Mary, Joseph, and Barney for years of love and peace together. I know I speak for all of us when I wish Bob good health and many more years of peace and joy in his life.......... Rick
9/13 Update on Shannon and BourbonToday we made a trip to Wilmington to visit our friends Shannon and Bourbon, and we are thrilled to report that they are two peas in a pod! Shannon is in great spirits, despite his physical ailments, and is not hesitant to say that having Bourbon around as his constant sidekick rewards him with a constant sense of security, company, and compassion. Bourbon especially likes his rides in the open air jeep, during which everyone in the neighborhood screams out his name and waves excitedly. Summer, the little pup, is growing up, and Bourbon enjoys sharing his bowl and sometimes even his brontasaurus bone with her, even though it is bigger than she is. The three sons and one daughter in the family all take great pride in their new family member, and Bourbon is making everyone proud. Shannon and family have just returned from a family wedding in Ohio, and Bourbon was a highlight of the event.
I commend Shannon for his dedication to Bourbon, his care and understanding, and commitment to training and bonding. He has achieved the pinnacle in the human/canine experience, and we at Canine Angels congratulate him, and look forward to many years of joy for them.
Rick Kaplan, Pres
7/26 Bourbon makes a friend
Talk about strange bedfellows, Shannon and family have a new pup, 13 weeks old, a female chihuahua jack russell mix, either a chihuassel or a jackihuahua, I don't know which. In any case, her name is Summer, and she is as cute as a button, and wants to be with Bourbon whenever she can........
7/23 Shannon and family take Bourbon into their home...
On Friday, 7/22 the Pack loaded ionto the van along with foster dog Stella and foster Mom Amy, and headed to Wilmington, NC to revisit Shannon, to introduce him to Stella, who, although at the beginning stages of her training, is showing great promise and prowess. Our idea was to get an OK on the chemistry between them, and then to proceed to train Stella directly for Shannon's particular needs, which include retrieval of specific items such as shoes, telephones, and his cane. That plan is underway right now. Bourbon, however, found his way into everyone's heart, and decided to stay with the family for comfort, company, and moral support. After 2 days - a hit! We will keep you posted on the progress.......
7/7/11
Today the Canine Angels crew, along with Jeanne, Lady and Body, rode to St.James Plantation to meet our newest Vietnam vet, Gordon. News to follw in the coming days, but for now, here are some pics of the day:
Top L: Gordon with LaylaTop R: Gordon with Lady
L: dinner time
Low L: sack out on the ride homeLow R: Gordon with Lady
7/6/11
Meet our new Veteran, Shannon, from Wilmington, NC....
Today we met with Shannon, his wife Alisha, one of their four children, their Jackihuahua Summer, their cat, and their 2 birds. Shannon is an 8 year Navy veteran who suffers from numerous disabilities, and we are proud to have accepted him into our Canine Angels program. We will now begin the process of pairing Shannon with one of our trained service dogs, and then will begin to start a new training process to teach Shannon and the rest of the family how to work together with the dog. A new adventure begins, and I know all of our readers send their best wishes to Shannon and family for a complete and joyful journey.
Kim, Kenz, & Beans.........
7/20/11 ....a history of service...
Corporal Kim Cunningham, United States Marine Corps, a true American
hero.... Kim was active duty from March 2001 to April 2007, then on
reserves until Sept. 2009, and served stations at Parris Island, Camp
LeJeune, Marine HQ in Arlington, VA, as well as serve in the military
police at the Pentagon, Special Projects of the Commandant of the Marine
Corps, Arlington, the National Naval Medical Ctr, Bethesda, Md, and the
Casualty Unit Marine Corps Base Quantico, Quantico, VA.
Her awards include:
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal
2 meritorious Unit Commendations
2 good conduct medals
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal (pictured)
Expert Rifleman Medal
Canine Angels, Inc. has been gifted the National Defense Service Medal
by Kim, as a token of her gratitude for our commitment to her and her
family, and for coming to her aid in "her time of national defense"
This is a rare and precious gift that we will treasure and honor
forever.
Rick and the entire CA team.........
left: Kim in service adorned with National Defense Service Medal
7/18/11
Beans
gets stitches removed and the eyes look great! terrific news for her,
and now we can resume her service dog training; she still must wear
that Elizabethan collar a while longer, but that is a small price to pay
for such successful surgery.... Thank you Dr. Ward and Seaside Animal
Care! Picture is Kenz and King waiting for Beans and Mom.....
7/14/11
note from Paulette....
Wishing
a speedy and full recovery to Beans and a wonderful, long, loving life
with Kim and Kenz. Your friend in New York, Paulette Barrett.
7/13/11 Update on Beans:
On
7/11 Dr. Ernie Ward of Seaside Animal Care masterfully performed a
necessary eye surgery for Beans, that will ensure her vision for her
entire life. This was crucial to her future as a service dog for Kim,
and now we give Beans a few weeks to recover. Her training will resume
when Dr. Ernie gives the OK. Kim and Kens are elated and relieved, and
all fo us at Canine Angels are excited to get past this obstacle.
6/24/11
To
Kim, Kenz, and Beans, Kim, From one WM to another, Thank You for our
service. Not only do we share the Corps in common, but also Canine
Angels. My CA connection is through King (I call myself his Human Mom). I
know you will do wonderfully with Beans. Rick is the absolute best
trainer I have ever seen. He transformed King from a wild, rambunctious
pup into the well behaved wonderful service dog he is today. With Rick's
help you will have a wonderful new member of your family.
Congratulations on becoming a member of the Canine Angels family, and if
I can ever be of assistance to you please feel free to contact me. Rick
has my contact number and I would love to hear from you. Semper Fi and
God Bless Charlotte
6/21/11
Hi Kim, Kenz & Beans,
First,
Kim, let me thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service and
dedication to our great country. And, also for your continued service
to our country through your dedication to the training of Beans to be a
wonderful service dog. We know all too often this breed is unfairly
mislabeled, so now Beans will not only be a wonderful service companion
but also a true mascot for his breed. I know your beautiful daughter
Kenz is beyond proud of her mother.
Good luck and God Bless.
Jane Hampton
Pender County Animal Shelter volunteer
6/21/11
Hi Kim
It is really exciting to hear about this new adventure you three ladies
-- courageous mom, charming daughter and devoted canine -- are starting
off on together. It's like a great story, only better, because it's
true and you are letting us be part of it! When we read about the hard
work and fun and ups and downs you face (and conquer!) each day it will
give us the courage and joy needed to attempt our own challenges. So
thank you for all you have given us in the past and all you are willing
to share with us in the days ahead.
I feel like I have 3 new friends and am so happy that Canine Angels has brought us all together.
Gail
6/20/11 our readers send best wishes to Kim....
HI Kim,
McKenzie looks like a delightful, absolutely beautiful little girl. You must be so proud of her.
She can't yet understand what it means to have a mother who is brave
and strong enough to be a Marine, who would leave behind everything she
treasures to protect America's interests in hostile lands. But one day,
she will. McKenzie will know that her mother is a hero.
There are no words to thank you enough for everything you've
sacrificed. My daughter serves in the Air Force and has shared vivid
descriptions of brown skies, sand storms, razor wire and the peculiar
stench of camels. I've prayed for all of you.
I wish you every happiness and peace. You've earned them. Enjoy Beans'
and McKenzie's love. Please know that what you've given has spared other
McKenzies from the nightmares you and your family have doubtlessly
faced. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, mind and soul.
Jan
Kim, Beans and Mckenzie are on such an exciting, life-enriching journey
that I wish I were their next-door neighbor so that I could observe
their progress, joys, and shenanigans [!] for myself, all the time. I
wish them the huge success each of them deserves and I count on Rick and
the Canine Angels newsletter to keep me up-to-date, including lots of
photos, please. Kim, huge thanks for your service to this country. Enjoy
your pup and have a wonderful, healthy, happy civilian life. Beans,
learn all the lessons they teach you and then some, love your humans in
your own special pup way, and have the time of your life in such a
welcoming and deserving household. Mckenzie, would you adopt me, too, so
that I can play with you and Beans, cuz it looks like you're having so
much fun! Big hug from Paulette in New York.
Rick,
I hope all the prayers and love help Kim and Beans find the health and
happiness they truly deserve. Anything I can do to help, let me know.
Your friend....Jerry
Good
luck to all of you. I’m sure Beans will come through her surgery fine
and be able to resume her training. All good wishes and my best
positive thoughts are with you. Thank you for what you are doing.
Caryl
Well,
Rick, please let Kim and Beans know that there is no better place for
her to be in. Beans will progress under your expert direction and she
and Beans will be the team that she can depend on with absolute trust.
CA dogs are the best! Perhaps because they've been given new hearts as
well as training! Ricky Kaplan leaves nothing to chance - he goes the
distance with all his dogs AND people. Be patient Kim, with yourself and
Beans.
John Ashley
Dear Beans,
Welcome to Canine Angels! I liked your picture on the website – you’re
beautiful. You have just joined a fun group of caring and talented
people and dogs, and I hope you will prosper from being a part of us as
much as I have. Good luck, good training and good play time.
Love, Lady
Dear Kim,
First, I want to extend my deepest appreciation to you for all the sacrifices you have made in serving our country.
Beans sounds like such a wonderful girl!
I read about her eye surgery, and glad to know she will be as good as new very soon.
Bunker, a dog who had no real home, came to us this spring. He is now
an official, forever, member of our family. Months before we met Bunker,
Rick Kaplan had spent 24 hours with him, evaluating him. Rick knew that
Bunker had the potential to be an outstanding dog. Rick was right on
the money. Bunker is amazing, and so eager and ready to learn.
From what I have read of Beans, she sounds like a very, very smart girl who is also very eager to learn.
I send you, your daughter, and Beans my best wishes.
Warm regards,
Kim Q.
To Kim, an inactive duty Marine [there are no ex-Marines],
During my active duty time in the Corps [the 1970's] I must say that we
had plenty of beans which were a staple during bivouacs. Beans are
satisfying and dependable in that after a time they are sure to provide
entertainment as well as nutrition. These characteristics are similar to
those of Canine Angels, except that the entertainment can be vectored
into a very useful service to service members in need.
Your volunteering to work with Beans is in keeping with the credo of
our Corps, Semper Fidelis. Mant thanks for having served and for now
having the commitment to train Beans, in support of someone requiring
the affection and loyalty and service that a Canine Angel can provide.
You have earned my respect.
Semper Fi,
Maj. Len Paulsen
USMCR
Dear Kim and Beans,
Greetings from Denver, Colorado.
I met Rick, Fred and Ginger in a Home Depot store here about a year
ago. From the start I knew I had found a kindred spirit. I have trained
10 seeing eye dogs for a guide dog school near San Francisco.
Few people on this planet know the human dog relationship as well as
Rick. If his wisdom is to have Beans get this work on her eye it will
be best.
Meantime your challenge will
be to be patient and care for your new four footed friend who will need
you in some special ways as
he wears that humiliating nun's outfit. Will she sing like Julie Andrews in the musical when she played the part of a nun?
Poor Beans!
Thinking of all of you and wishing you love and trust that it will all be alright.
My best, James R. Creasey
6/19 Update on Beans.....
Beans
is now officially a Canine Angel, and we are super excited about that!
Kim brought her to out veterinarian, Dr. Ernie Ward of Seaside Animal
Care, Calabash, NC, so that we could get Beans up to date on all of her
boosters, vaccinations, heartworm and flea meds, and all other tests and
exams. She is a healthy girl, except for one small issue whihc we will
take care of in the next few weeks: she has an eye condition which
requires surgery, which Dr. Ward will perform. This will require a
hiatus in her training of about 2 weeks, but after that (and wearing the
dreaded cone) she will be better than new. She will be in the best
expert hands.
Her training is in full force right now, and both Kim and her beautiful
little girl, McKenzie,are hard at work in the beginning stages of sit,
down, stay, come, and heel. Beans is responding in a way that screams
"I am going to be a service dog.... hooray!" Kim is very excited and
hopeful about this project, as we all are, and I urge all of you to
forward to me emails of support that I can send to Kim & family.
On
behalf of all of our readers, I extend the warmest welcome to our
newest Veteran, Kim Cunningham, who served our nation as a Marine. We
also greet her pup, Beans, a pit mix, who is highly intelligent and
eager to become a Canine Angel for Kim. As we all undertake this new
adventure I know I express everyone's prayers and hopes for Kim, Beans,
and Kim's 5 year old daughter McKenzie for service dog success in the
next six months, and for a safe, secure, and stress free life. We all
thank you for your service and sacrifice to the USA, and for being a
part of the freedoms we all enjoy every day. As our training process
gets underway we will keep you posted on our progress.
