I have volunteered for many organizations and this is by far, THE BEST. Their strategies are well thought out. They have thousands of loyal volunteers who are very committed to their cause. Puppy raisers are not paid and accept the fact ahead of time that they will pay the costs of raising the puppy - that is part of their contribution to the cause. If there are unexpected medical bills, CC is able to help fund those. Puppy raisers sign documents that, among other things, explain that the puppy is always owned by the organization. They have a long wait list for these extremely well trained dogs, and vet the potential recipients so that the dogs go to the best fit and who is able to handle the dog. They have high expectations of their puppy raisers for good reason. Lives depend on these dogs and they have to perform perfectly. Having said that, they are extremely supportive of their raisers with in-person classes, sessions, videos, and manuals. From a donor's perspective, they run 'lean and mean' saving money for the real purpose of the organization - raising the best service dog puppies in the world. It is hard to understand the poor reviews given here. They should visit the campus and see for themselves. read more

They ask volunteers who raise puppies to not only pay all vet bills and food and training if not at their site but on top of that take the kindest volunteer who has raised many dogs and refuse to give her another dog to raise when all they needed to do was give better guidance if the volunteer wasn't doing what they needed. To fire a volunteer is HEARTLESS was so proud to be raising. The only way should fire is if abuse..which my life is dedicated to dogs read more

This is one of the best nonprofit organizations when it comes to those who need a companion animal and cannot afford the incredibly high prices of those specially trained through other agencies. This program works in such a way that the dog "belongs" to the organization in the event that for some reason it isn't a good fit for the individual, and they do routine checks to make sure that everything is going well and the dog is being well taken care of. There are some other organizations that have a $10,000 buying for a canine companion, and the dog is thoroughly trained specifically for the individual who will receive it. The dogs in these cases usually belong to the individual that has purchased the canine companion, which is why the oversight offered through this particular organization is something that make this one of the standout organizations of its kind. They follow the family, monitor the progress, make sure its a good fit, and since the dogs have a variety of different skill sets that they can assist with they can help with a multitude of different disabilities and assistance provided to the individual who is chosen to receive the canine companion. I think it's done very responsibly and they do reserve the right to take the dog back if there are soy signs of inability to properly care for it or if there is any indication of neglect or abusive behavior. All of thee dogs are socializad in training, and they all are geared toward a multitude of disabilities, making it one of the most comprehensive canine companion programs I have ever personally seen. I have volunteered with this organization and have known many people who have waited on a years-long list for quite some time to be able to get a canine companion without having to spend thousands of dollars...which is a godsend for those families who live in disability or have low income. This is a wonderful nonprofit organization, and they work very hard to ensure that when they match a canine companion with an individual in need, it is with the appropriate skill sets that can meet the needs of the individuals receiving the canine companion. There is a main office located right here in Oceanside, and I have seen many of their presentations, each make me like the program even more every time I see a presentation on the program. This is beneficial on all levels, and sometimes can provide a much needed friend and provide some solace and companionship for those who might be lonely due to the fact that they have difficulties navigating the nuances and oftentimes confusing landscape of the social world. These canine companions are more than just animals companions...they are truly friends for those individuals who are fortunate enough to be able to qualify for one and not have to wait on a waiting list for long periods of time...although it is hit or miss with these places, depending on supply and demand, whereas with the companies you go through and pay thousands of dollars for a socially trained companion animal, they are yours to have and the company does not retain any kind of ownership over the animal, as tis particular nonprofit organization does. The only drawback is because the program is free, it can sometimes take a very long time for the individual to be paired with a canine companion... depending on how long the waiting list is. All in all, this is one of the most wonderful nonprofits I have ever had the pleasure of being able to connect with and volunteer with, and I truly hope there are more organizations that follow this pattern in the future, as the change in the recipients of these companion animals is discernible. This holds true especially those that do not require thousands of dollars to "buy in" when it comes to finding the perfect companion for your disabled loved one (or any other need for a companion:support animal). read more

I applied for a service dog with CCI. During the training, they said that they breed many dogs to get the right kind, but would not say what they did with the ones they rejected. I know someone who raises puppies for them and if their puppy is rejected by CCI, they are asked if they want to buy them. For the others, CCI said that they used to give them away but they no longer did that. What do they do, dump them in animal shelters or do they just euthanize them? Someone should look into this. I was astounded at the invasive and personal questions that this organization asked me. They also wanted me to stay in their facility for several days, despite their inability to provide basics like an adaptive toilet and shower that I need. I asked if I could go home, just a few miles away, and they said no. They said that I needed to bond with other people with disabilities, even though my group had only children in it with disabilities not like mine. That was OK with me, but what about the issue of my not being able to use a toilet there? When I told them that I didn't see how I could continue with the program, they tried to make me feel horribly guilty by saying that they had a dog for me, that it was trained and that they hoped that they could find another person with disabilities like mine. They wouldn't say what they would do with the dog if they didn't find someone with disabilities like mine. I'm still sick to my stomach about this when I think of it years later. Although there were a few people who were nice, the general feeling that I got was that they think that they are doing great things for people with disabilities, yet it comes off at times as being patronizing and self-congratulatory. They didn't listen or care about my most basic needs and insisted on doing things their way. I know people who have some of these dogs, and they are nervous that they dog would someday be taken away from them because they don't own them, CCI does. There was another poster who mentioned how sad the dogs were. I agree. The dogs that I saw there had no spirit. I got a puppy right after deciding that this program was unworkable for me, and taught her myself. She had spirit all through her life and did the same job as the CCI dog would have done. And I was able to use the toilet and shower. read more

Received some undue harassment from someone claiming to be a member of this charity. Alexis Busalacchi claims that my family is not allowed to have a service animal! We have a service animal letter from a licensed Nurse Practitioner! I am disgusted... read more

CCI is an absolutely amazing organization! They truly care for the well-being of their dogs, as well as their recipients and puppy raisers. CCI has changed my life for the better and I will forever be grateful. read more

CCI has been a part of my life now for ten years. This amazing program brings so much love, happiness, encouragement, to people with disabilities. It truly brings a new breath of life to individuals. I work with the disabled daily, and have been lucky to see the miracles this foundation have created. read more

Absolutely love this organization. The breeding is incredible, they really select only the best animals to become service dogs. All of the people who work here really love what they do. This organization is changing lives across the country read more

A truly effective charity organization. I raised and trained two puppies for CCI, and helped with various training activities. They train dogs to help people in wheelchairs, and various other injuries and birth defects become full members of society. Dogs also work with injured veterans. In each case the dogs provide moral support and social interactions you can't get anywhere else. Part of this comes from a long and successful breeding program that yields exceptionally intelligent dogs, that are secure, non-aggressive and just downright loveable. They are selective about who gets a dog. They must have a network of friends or relations who can and will make sure the dog is safe, has access to a vet when needed, and exercised - even when the new owner can't. I had the good fortune to receive a retired CCI service dog, who became a therapy dog at CHOC for years after. No other animal or human I know had such a giving heart, ready smile or bright smile, especially for children. She calmed children with special needs and cancer, bringing love into an otherwise difficult situation. CCI is tops in my book! read more