March 27, 2008

Remember when Marianne went to Hudson's graduation in Oceanside last November? Hudson's classmate Phlox also graduated as a service dog, with a fellow named Brent Baribeau who lives in Denver. Huzzah!

Marianne received a press release this week from Katie Malatino at CCI about Phlox and Brent. She read it to me and I was so impressed that I asked Katie if I could use it in my DogBlog. She said yes!

Canine Companions for Independence offers hope and help

"Brent Baribeau is an active guy who lives life to the fullest. His passion is tennis, but he also enjoys skiing and scuba diving. He has a successful career at an advertising agency and he’s engaged to a beautiful blonde. He also uses a wheelchair because of a spinal cord injury.

Working around his physical limitations has been a necessity since his injury, but Brent’s everyday life recently got a whole lot easier. Brent received a Service Dog free of charge from Canine Companions for Independence. CCI breeds, trains, and raises assistance dogs for people with disabilities, and provides ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. Brent’s dog, Phlox, knows approximately 50 commands like turning on and off lights, opening doors, and picking up dropped objects; seemingly small tasks that make a world of difference.

Without question, Phlox is already part of Brent’s young family. Not only will Phlox be a ring bearer at his wedding, but he can’t wait to get her out on the tennis court. As Executive Director of the Colorado Wheelchair Tennis Foundation, Brent fully expects Phlox to be his new ball girl. In fact, Brent and Phlox will be appearing as CCI ambassadors at the Pacific Life Tennis Open on March 15-16, 2008. The tournament, in which CCI will be a featured charity, will draw hundreds of thousands of tennis fans to Indian Wells, California. Brent and Phlox are sure to impress the crowd!"

WOW. It sounds like Brent and Phlox are an amazing team, and do all kinds of fun things together. Phlox even gets to be in Brent and Jennifer's wedding!

Now here's the really cool part: Brent will be our Special Guest Speaker at puppy class next week! He'll bring Phlox of course, and I'll have to be on my best behavior so I make a good impression. Phlox will be working so I can't run up and give her a big slurpy kiss, or invite her to play. I hope they demonstrate some of Phlox's advanced commands for us. I can't wait until I learn what Marianne calls the fancy commands, like opening doors and turning on lights.

I wonder if I'll graduate, and if my partner will be as much fun as Brent? Kibble for thought. Hmmmmm.

Chow for now!

Parker

Check out Chapter 28 of my DogBlog for an interview with Phlox's puppy raisers:

Questions or comments for Parker? Send them to Call7ForHelp@TheDenverChannel.com.