Georgia Canines for Independence

Thank you to the The Kroger Company Foundation for giving $1,000.00 to support GCI's animal therapy and service dog programs! Thank you Kroger for your dedication to giving back to our community!

Fox 5 Atlanta News Airs Story which shows Jerry in action
Fox 5 News aired a story on November12, 2008 about the Georgia Tech research team, which is developing an assistance robot. This team has studied the GCI dogs for the past year and used them as a biological model for this exciting innovation.
To watch the story, click the link below:
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=7849364&version=1&locale=EN-US

Fear Factory Haunted House sponsored by Down 2 Earth Innovations was open every weekend in October in Cartersville. This was an incredible event with special effects and live actors, and approximately 900 people participated! Thank you Down 2 Earth Innovations for building, organizing, and running a wonderful attraction to benefit our service dogs! Thank you to everyone who came out to help people with disabilities

Special thanks to the Atlanta Sales and Marketing Council and the Greater Atlanta Homebuilders Association for hosting "Ten Pins for Charity Bowl" on October 20, 2008 in Chamblee. It was a wonderful night of food, prizes, and bowling to support the Atlanta SMC's charity work! The Atlanta SMC has been a dedicated service dog sponsor since 2004, and they make GCI possible! Check out the pics below.

Thank you to the Kennesaw Kennel Club for funding the healthcare (puppy exams and vaccinations) for GCI's Patriot Puppies! We are blessed to have this caring, dedicated group join our GCI family, and we are looking forward to sharing in the growth and development of the next generation of service dogs at the KKC's January general membership meeting. We deeply appreciate your dedication to our community's canines!

GCI is proud to announce that three puppies joined our program around July 4th and have been named the Patriots: George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, and Uncle Sam. Above are some of the highlights from the last few months.

Special Thanks to Putts for Paws BIG Dog Sponsor, The Miller-Clapperton Partnership!

Thank you to Wade Ford for providing hole-in-one-prizes including a Ford Escape and a trip to Treetops Resorts!

Service Dog Team Kelley & "Bettie" Goddu with their sponsor, the Kirby Family


Service dog "Bettie" was placed with Kelley Goddu who lives in New Hampshire. Bettie will assist Kelley, who has quadraplegia caused by a diving accident, by opening / closing doors, turning on/off lights, opening drawers, and retrieiving dropped or needed items.


Service dog "Eddie" was placed with Jaque Hall of Oklahoma. Eddie will help Jaque, who has paraplegia caused by an automobile accident, by opening / closing doors, turning on/off lights, opening drawers, and retrieiving dropped or needed items. Here Jaque is pictured with Dad, Chris and Mom, Carol.


"Charlie" was placed with the Jarrard family of Atlanta: Dad, Jimmy; Mom, Michelle; A.J., and Hope. Charlie will provide unconditional love and support as a skilled companion for 11-year-old A.J., who has cerebral palsy.

Ben was officially placed as a companion dog with Susan Stockdale and Wesley Cox of Cartersville, Ga. on April 27, 2008. Wesley, who is a Vietnam Veteran, has a chronic lung disorder. Ben will help out around the house and provide unlimited love and support!