CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE

Dogs make days better, and that’s why Canine Companions for Independence is spreading a little joy during a time when we all still need some puppy love. In honor National Puppy Day on Tuesday, the non-profit is inviting everyone to take a peek at its puppy cam. Viewers can watch a live feed featuring a litter of 6-week-old future service dogs as they eat, sleep and play. Canine Companions service dogs are trained in over 40 commands such as opening and closing doors, and retrieving dropped items to help improve the lives of humans. The puppy cam is live from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. You can watch the litter by clicking here.

Last year, Krystal Hise raised $3,000 for charity through Tails of the Space Coast Vol.1. Now in production, Tails of the Space Coast Vol. 2 has the goal of raising $5,000 for Canine Companions for Independence. Winners will be announced on Saturday during Canine Companion’s Virtual DogFest Space Coast event on Facebook. To reserve a copy of Tails of the Space Coast Vol.

ORLANDO – As Winnifred wraps up her training in the Canine Companions for Independence puppy raising program, she and her foster humans are doing a farewell tour together visiting their favorite Central Florida spots, but they are also checking off new places. Winnifred is a 19-month yellow Labrador retriever/golden retriever mix, and began her training with News 6 producer Haley Coomes back in April 2019. Not only is she used to being around crowds, she’s now familiar with wax people. Haley and her family took Winnifred to Madame Tussauds Orlando, and did some picture-taking with with several wax figures. For more information on how to be a volunteer puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence, click here.

For the next few weeks, viewers can check in on a litter of 4-week-old puppies via the Canine Companions for Independence live puppy cam, and get an idea of what the first stages of life are like for these future assistance dogs. In the volunteer puppy raising program, volunteers teach puppies commands that are essential for becoming an service dog. Currently, there are over 400 people with disabilities waiting for an expertly trained Canine Companions for Independence service dog. Haley has been Winnifred’s volunteer puppy raiser since April 2019, and shares all her training milestones on Winnie’s Instagram, @Winnieatlife. For more information on how to become a volunteer puppy raiser, click here.

Winnifred, a 1-year-old yellow Labrador retriever/golden retriever mix, is training to become a Canine Companions for Independence service dog. For the past few months, Winnifred and News 6 producer Haley Coomes have been working on their greetings in preparation for meeting Disney characters. During a recent visit to Epcot, Winnifred had several special photo ops, including ones with Mickey, Minnie and Pluto. Winnifred has lived with her puppy raiser Haley since April 2019 and was with another family before that. For more information on how to be a volunteer puppy raiser, click here.