Share Our Stories
-
Kara and Jersey, Summer 2021 Graduates
December 28, 2021Kara is very passionate about her family and her career. She has been happily married for 11 years, and has three incredible sons. Kara teaches preschool to children ages three … Continue
-
Jody and Swoop, Summer 2020 Graduates
December 2, 2021When Swoop came into Jody’s life, she immediately started to experience the independence, support and unconditional love from her new canine partner, but this wasn’t the first time her life … Continue
-
John and Evie, Fall 2020 Graduates
May 12, 2021The past year has been a challenge for everyone, including John, but with every challenge comes an opportunity for change or growth and the past year changed John’s life for … Continue
-
Laurie and Gilbert, Summer 2020 Graduates
February 4, 2021My life has been dedicated to serving others. With 22+ years as a volunteer firefighter, EMT, rope rescue technician, rescue diver, and a mother and grandmother, I was always on … Continue
-
Richard and Otis, Fall 2020 Graduates
December 22, 2020Richard’s family is always on the go. With two young boys involved in sports, there is constantly a practice, game or tournament to attend. Although Richard is his children’s biggest … Continue
-
Abbie and Jiffy, Fall 2016 Graduates
February 5, 2020July 11, 2016 was the day that forever changed Abbie’s life. On that day, a Trainer from Canine Partners for Life (CPL) called to tell her she was matched with … Continue
-
Lancaster County Courthouse and Tresi, Summer 2018 Graduates
December 16, 2019The legal process can be overwhelming and extremely emotional for victims and witnesses of crime. It’s not easy for anyone to relive such a difficult time in their life but … Continue
-
Tori and John, Summer 2019 Graduates
November 21, 2019For most college students, their focus is on navigating the campus, studying, fitting in with their peers, and becoming independent from their parents. For Tori, her focus was on trying … Continue
-
Jordan and Jolly, Summer 2016 Graduates
December 27, 2018Like any other high school student, Jolly has his photo in the school yearbook and wears a school ID. He goes to dances and sports events. He’s figured out the … Continue
-
Janet Cooper, CPL Volunteer
December 7, 2018Janet remembers well the first time she visited Canine Partners for Life (CPL). Her employer, West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. in Exton, PA, had chosen to support CPL as one of … Continue
-
Makena and Carpenter, Fall 2014 Graduates
November 19, 2018The ‘tween years sure aren’t easy for anyone. For Makena, it was a time of emotional upheaval laced with anxiety, behavioral issues, and stress. However, at age 14, after many … Continue
-
Jordan and Fidget
December 26, 2017Like any other teenager, Jordan is inquisitive about the world around him. As a young man, he’s learning more each day about what he would like his life to become, … Continue
-
Judy and Tia
December 12, 2017It is impossible to envision Judy’s life before Tia. She exudes such positive energy; it’s easy to forget there was a time she was questioning if her spirit would win … Continue
-
Rosemary
November 22, 2017“I’ve shared my home with CPL dogs in training for 65 weekends, and each one feels like the first time!” Rosemary said with excitement. We were thrilled to have that … Continue
-
Ed and Cinder, Summer 2012 Graduates
August 7, 2017Ed and Cinder Ed is a fighter. He has fought several chronic illnesses for the majority of his life but as he began to age, his Chronic Fatigue and PTSD … Continue
-
Becky and Yankee, Fall 2013 Graduates
May 18, 2017From a young age, Becky loved to challenge herself. As soon as she would complete one challenge, she found another. Becky served in the United States Marine Corps, received her … Continue
-
Eddie and Orion, Summer 2016 Graduates
May 4, 2017Home companion dogs make social encounters more comfortable, help ease anxiety and fear, and are the perfect friend in a time of need. The emotional transformation these dogs make for … Continue
-
Gina and Susie, Fall 2010 Graduates
March 29, 2017College is a time of change, growth, and excitement. You move away from home for the first time, meet new people, and begin your journey into adulthood. Gina, like many … Continue
-
A.J. and Kody, Summer 2016 Graduates
February 7, 2017A.J. and his family are from nearby Delaware, although, it took visiting relatives from Long Island, NY to learn about CPL. A.J.’s parents mentioned in casual conversation that they were … Continue
-
Bill and Carol Morling, Donors and Volunteers
December 27, 2016Bill and Carol believe in the healing power of a dog because they’ve seen it firsthand. They’ve witnessed the impact of therapy dogs on hospital patients and their families, and they’ve … Continue
-
Nicole and Cole, Summer 2016 Graduates
December 19, 2016Nicole certainly has a lot on her plate, and apparently, a lot on her bucket list. Not only does she run a non-profit organization, volunteer with her local 4H club, … Continue
-
Laura and Zeva, Summer 2015 Graduates
December 12, 2016Living with a disability can be challenging and living with an invisible disability can be even more challenging, especially for a young girl. When she experiences strange things happening in … Continue
-
Nonantum Veterinary Clinic
December 5, 2016Those of us with pets (or service dogs!) understand that veterinary care can be expensive. Some members of the CPL community push the limits with the number of pups in … Continue
-
Malia and Wesley, Fall 2015 Graduates
November 28, 2016In just 11 short years, Malia has experienced some significant changes. From gaining a new family at the age of two and moving across the globe, to discovering a disability … Continue
-
Fred and Marlie, Summer 2016 Graduates
November 21, 2016For Fred, life has always been a marathon, not a sprint. In fact, Fred has completed 26 full marathons! As a competitive long distance runner into his 60s, a Vietnam … Continue
-
Hannah and Delilah, Fall 2013 Graduates
October 18, 2016By Hannah S. Since I was 11 years old, doctors have told me what medications to take, what tests I needed, and what treatments to try. All of their advice … Continue
-
Hunter and Argos, Summer 2014 Graduates
August 1, 2016Hunter, an energetic and athletic young boy, enjoyed spending time with friends and playing sports, but one day, his life changed in an instant. At just 11 years old he … Continue
-
Montgomery County Courthouse and Turks, Fall 2014 Graduates
June 8, 2016Kiersten, an Investigator for Domestic Violence and Sex Crimes, felt a courthouse dog would help victims find their voice in the courtroom. Too often, victims have a hard time reliving … Continue
-
Lauren and Sara, Summer 2009 Graduates
May 4, 2016Autism is a brain development disorder, with varying degrees, that can affect communication, behavior, and social interaction. Lauren, along with thousands of other children, was diagnosed with Autism. Having … Continue
-
Renee and Ranger, Summer 2015 Graduates
March 30, 2016For Renee, the decision to apply for a service dog did not come easy. After years of visiting specialist after specialist she was eventually diagnosed with several medical conditions including … Continue
-
Connor and Topper, Fall 2015 Graduates
February 11, 2016As many people have experienced, life truly can change in an instant. Recent CPL graduate, Connor, knows this fact all too well. However, despite becoming paralyzed from the chest down … Continue
-
Alex and Shandy, Summer 2015 Graduates
December 29, 2015Alex first came to CPL after taking part in a demonstration presented to her support group for people with Charcot Marie Tooth Disease (CMT). CMT affects peripheral nerves outside the … Continue
-
Jennifer and Smidget, Summer 2013 Graduates
December 21, 2015Love comes in all sizes Some of our service dog applicants, like Jennifer, have experienced disappointment in their search for the right organization and the right dog to meet their … Continue
-
Tom and Marcum, Summer 2015 Graduates
December 14, 2015Some of the most powerful stories we share at CPL are about our full-service teams because their physical transformation is often the easiest to see. However, the emotional transformations that … Continue
-
Ed and Arnie, Summer 2011 Graduates
December 8, 2015Many of us will never forget the events of September 11, 2001. Military veteran, Ed Afanador, feels the effect of those events each day of his life. Ed has served … Continue
-
Janie Cramer, Donor and Volunteer
November 30, 2015Many people involved with Canine Partners for Life tell us that they first learned about CPL through a friend or family member who also participates in some way. They are … Continue
-
Carla and Uncle Ed, Fall 2014 Graduates
November 23, 2015Imagine waking up every day exhausted, in severe pain, like the worst case of the flu you ever had. Imagine that you can’t do laundry or carry groceries on your … Continue
-
Karley & Kaiser, Fall 2013 Graduates
December 29, 2014By Karley Independence is such a powerful word, one that is often taken for granted. Being a teenager, like other teenagers, I want as much independence I can possibly get. … Continue
-
April & Dale, Summer 2013 Graduates
December 22, 2014When most people think about those living with disabilities and the service dogs that help them live their lives, they often don’t think of endless activities, travels, and adventures. My … Continue
-
Kortney and CorKey II, Summer 2013
December 15, 2014By Kortney B. My name is Kortney. I am 17 years old and a senior in high school. When I was 8 years old, I started experiencing “feelings” that I … Continue
-
Ed & Alepo, Summer 2012 Graduates
December 8, 2014By Ed C. I am 57 years old, and for the first 30 years of my life I was a healthy person, with a very active life, following a great … Continue
-
Danielle & Rollo, Summer 2014 Graduates
December 2, 2014By Danielle B. When you have a condition like narcolepsy (periods of extreme daytime sleepiness and sudden, irresistible bouts of sleep that can strike at any time) with the symptom … Continue
-
Deanie & Carlos, Fall 2013 Graduates
November 25, 2014By Deanie H. Life is good. No, really, it’s great! But it wasn’t always so. Five years ago an illness took away all my inner ear function. In everyday terms, that … Continue
-
Welcome to Share Our Stories
November 20, 2014Read. Click. Share. Repeat. CPL is kicking-off a story sharing campaign, and we would love your help! We have collected personal stories, written by our graduates, volunteers and supporters. And … Continue