Canine Companions celebrates 50th anniversary

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- 50 years later, Canine Companions has come a long way in making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities.

Founded in 1975 in Santa Rosa, California, the non-profit expanded its reach to central Ohio in 1987. NBC4 met with two people who have dedicated over 30 years to this incredible organization's north central region to look back at Canine Companions' journey and how it continues to touch lives today.

"50 years for some folks might not seem like a long time, but for an organization that started from grassroots, to see where we are today it is quite amazing," said Adrena Spreacker, Canine Companions North Central Region program director. 

Canine Companions was founded on July 4, 1975, in an effort to provide service dogs to people with disabilities — for free. Its first Ohio location opened at a house in Orient in 1987. Marty Marlatt started puppy raising not long after.

"It was certainly privilege for me to come into this organization at such an early point," said Marlatt, "We started raising in  January of 1989." 

Since then, she's raised 31 pups, including her current dog, Flint. In 1991, Canine Companions left Orient and expanded to a facility in Delaware, which would eventually be outgrown.

In 2020, the move to the three-building New Albany campus happened. Having been at the Delaware facility in the early years, Spreacker said this latest move was a major step forward in their ability to serve.

"I think this campus was beyond anybody's ability to dream 30 years ago," she said. The campus includes 16 accessible rooms and training spaces — alleviating cost barriers for clients by providing a free place to stay during their two-week training and getting matched with their pup.

"After that two weeks, not only do they have a dog, but they understand their needs were heard," said Spreacker. "We didn't just give them a dog; we gave them a space where they are comfortable."

As Spreacker explained, these service dogs provide more than just help with daily tasks. "The unconditional love and just being there for someone is often a huge perk of having that service dog," she said. 

Looking toward the future, Canine Companions hopes to be the most recognized organization in the service dog industry and reduce the waitlist for people to receive dogs.

"We're dedicated to making sure that we continue to place service dogs with people that need them and uphold that dedication and the empowerment of increasing independence for individuals," said Spreacker. 

It's the passion of people like Spreacker and Marlatt that help the organization continue to grow. "I said to Adrena that I'm getting paid," said Marlatt. "I get paid every day that I get up and am able to work with a dog for Canine Companions. That's my payment."

Canine Companions is always looking to grow and expand their reach through their volunteers, especially puppy raisers.

If you would like to get involved with the organization and meet some amazing dogs along the way, you can reach out to Canine Companions directly and see how you can help change lives too.

The north central region campus in New Albany marked the anniversary with the "Independence is Golden" gala in June. The event raised over $350,000 for the organization.