Reality Rally

I have been asked over the years how Reality Rally could do something with and for other charities. Another seed was planted and the collaboration with other charities bloomed at Reality Rally 2016 . There are so many wonderful organizations in the Temecula area who provide incredible services to so many. I finally knew that we could share their stories through Reality Rally. Michelle's Place Breast Cancer Resource Center will always benefit from our funds but other charities could benefit from our collaboration. Charity Spotlight will be our next series of blog stories. This is the first of many stories....read on

Canine Support Teams signed up immediatly to play in the Reality Rally Amazing Race type game on April 9th 2016. I was totally in awe at what they provide through their charity,I was not only honored to include them and be able to promote them but their team proved part of my "jungle vision" to create an event that anyone could be part of no matter their age or capability. They were not only our first team with Steve Hicks who is a wheelchair bound participant but his beautiful canine companion, Tahoe, in his Reality Rally tee shirt, played right along side him. "It was awesome" they said.

This is their story

Canine Support Teams, Inc
phone 951-301-3625 fax 951-301-3605
www.caninesupportteams.org cstmain@caninesupportteams.org

History and Mission

At only four years old, Carol Roquemore contracted Polio from a neighborhood friend. Following her polio diagnosis and a lengthy and difficult recovery, Carol endured hundreds of hours of physical therapy throughout her childhood. By the mid-teens, she was able to function as a paraplegic, getting around well with a manual wheelchair. More recent research has led to the identification of Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS). Ironically, it seems to be the result of prolonged, continuous physical therapy. A dog-lover since childhood, Carol always enjoyed the companionship of dogs. While managing the full responsibilities of being wife & mother, she turned her passion for dogs into a profession as a dog trainer. She began holding classes and offering training for Obedience and Protection. “I think people came and signed up for training because they wanted to watch the ‘lady in the wheelchair’ conducting the class,” she laughs. In her mid-30s, Carol began to experience shoulder and neck pain associated with PPS. She made the transition from a manual- to a power-wheelchair. This prompted her to seek the help of a specially trained Service Dog. After an unsuccessful first placement, Carol received a black lab named ARIES. While well-trained in obedience, ARIES lacked the specific skills needed to assist Carol. She determined to train him herself, and ARIES became a great first Service Dog experience. It wasn’t long until others began seeking her out. “People started asking me to help them with their service dogs,” she said. “I was able to work with both the dogs and their owners and help make good dogs even better.” Carol is uniquely qualified as a trainer and a client. She understands, at a very deep and personal level, what a service dog can do and what they mean to our clients. Carol leads a small yet dedicated staff and an army of volunteers to provide skilled service dogs to those in need. She regularly marshals the energy, resources and people required to carry out the CST mission with rare empathy and passion...

The mission of Canine Support Teams is to provide specially trained dogs to people with disabilities to support their personal, social, and occupational independence Our Programs The Puppy Raiser Program provides the foundation for our puppies to grow into their roles as Service Dogs to those with disabilities. Generous puppy raiser volunteers open their hearts and homes to our puppies for approximately eighteen months. During this time, Puppy Raisers care for the well being and development of our puppies, socialize them, teach them basic obedience, and attend Canine Support Teams’ functions. While our volunteer Puppy Raisers personally fund some of the basic costs out of pocket while fostering the puppies, most veterinary costs are typically borne by our agency. After the completion of the Puppy Raiser Program, our dogs receive advanced training over four to six months in the Prison Pup Program, through which our dogs are paired with inmate trainers at the California Institution for Women. Canine Support Teams provides more than 300 hours of direct training and support to the inmate trainers during this time while they train our dogs in advanced skills including pulling manual wheelchairs, providing stability for walking, and alerting to get help during emergencies. After realizing the extraordinary benefits the inmates derived from the Prison Pup Program, Canine Support Teams initiated the Southwest Juvenile Hall Dog Training Program for Youth at Risk in 2008. This 12-16 week program matches dogs in training with juvenile boys who learn to train basic obedience using positive reinforcement techniques. The young men also learn a trade and many life-changing skills including teamwork and compassion. The Riverside County Board of Supervisors has recognized SW Juvenile Hall in October (2015) and awarded them CSAC Challenge Award because of the CST Youth at Risk program. In September, 2015, CST launched a Service Dog Training Program at California Institution for Men, at the invitation of their staff. This was followed by a third program at California Rehabilitation Center in April, 2016. Starting with just five dogs as the Inmate Trainers’ skill and confidence develop, this expansion has the potential to DOUBLE the number of dogs CST can place with disabled clients by the end of 2017. And, we are constantly being sought for assistance and support from other institutions across the state and the country...

The mission of Canine Support Teams is to provide specially trained dogs to people with disabilities to support their personal, social, and occupational independence.Whom We Serve We accomplish our mission to provide specially trained dogs to individuals living with disabilities through our effective training programs. Once they complete their two years of training, over 65% of our service are placed through the PAWZ for Wounded Veterans Program, in which they are paired with individuals who have sustained disabling injuries as a result of bravely serving our country. When wounded soldiers go through rehabilitation therapy, they are surrounded by peers who have shared their experiences in battle. When they return home, these veterans often leave this support system behind and experience difficulty while making the transition back to civilian life. A Canine Support Teams dog transforms the life of a disabled serviceperson by supporting his/her personal, social, and occupational independence while simultaneously providing loving, trusting companionship. Many of our clients’ testimonials affirm that a Service Dog makes the defining difference in a long and painful journey to rehabilitation. How We Measure Success Canine Support Teams gauges the 60% graduation rate of our puppies to Service Dogs as our primary measure of success, higher than the national average. After two years of training is completed by our Service Dogs through the Puppy Raiser and Prison Pup Programs, our clients attend a two week training course, during which they are paired with one of our dogs and must pass a Public Access test to ensure that they are ready to go home and begin their new life together. The Canine Support Team (defined as the partnership between a Service Dog and a disabled individual) is considered to be a success upon completion of their Public Access Test.Our highly successful Prison Pup Program produces 90% of the Service Dogs we are able to place with disabled clients. Canine Support Teams is proud that this innovative program is a model of success for other programs instituted around the nation, as the participants in our program have a very low recidivism rate and typically go on to be gainfully employed as dog trainers and animal technicians after their release from the prison system. Most importantly, Canine Support Teams measures the powerful impact of our programs through our countless client testimonials, which provide evidence that our Service Dogs make a lasting difference. The mission of Canine Support Teams is to provide specially trained dogs to people with disabilities to support their personal, social, and occupational independence

Client comments:

One of our young clients, Hurricane, with his Service Dog, TANK. “Your selfless donation has given me a therapeutic companion in dealing with days of psychological depression. My mental and physical disabilities are intrusive…and my Service Dog has helped to rebuild stability in my life and family.”
– Scottie W, USMC (RET)

“Before, I had no desire to leave the house or work. I went through severe depression and needed prescription help to sleep at night. I had major setbacks with my health and had even fallen several times while living alone. Because I can depend on my Service Dog, I’m no longer afraid of falling, working or making other commitments. Now I have a purpose; a reason to continue to live my life.”
– Jaqueline B

“This is a message of appreciation from someone you helped in the past. I will never forget you. My (service) dog and I were able to get through the hardest time in our lives. Without you, I don’t think I would have made it and I just want to say thank you.”
– Past client, Anonymous

Words can’t express the thanks I have for Travis; he has made such a big difference in my life. My wife said I act totally different and I believe I do. The staff at CST taught me so much, and were so kind I will always be grateful.
” “- John, USN (RET)