Canine Companions celebrates 25 years of service

More than one in four people have disabilities in the United States. 

In 1975, Canine Companions created the concept of modern, professionally trained service dogs to help people with disabilities achieve greater independence. 

Canine Companions in Pine Hills at 8150 Clarcona Ocoee Road, Orlando, has been around for 25 years providing free-of-charge, trained service dogs to children, adults and veterans in need. 

Opened on July 4, 2000, the Southeast region campus has serviced people varying in more than 65 disabilities. 

The nonprofit celebrated National Service Dog Month in September and brought in graduates from the organization to speak about all services it has to offer.

Orange County also proclaimed September as National Service Dog Month on Sept. 19, 2025. 

Cristina Saint-Blancard has been a member of Canine Companions since 2011 and has had two service dogs through the organization.

Her dog, Yani, now serves as a service dog and a hearing dog for Blancard. 

“She’s the light of my life,” she said. “She picks up dropped items, she opens and closes doors, she brings me my pill bottles. … She also alerts a bit of sounds that I can’t hear on my own.” 

Blancard is appreciative of the free services the organization provides, as well as team members following up with her after she receives a dog.

“I’m very grateful to the raisers, to donors, to the trainers — to every single person who makes it possible for me to have my angel,” she said. “When I go out with her, people see her. … They don’t see the chair; they don’t see my prosthetic leg. She breaks barriers because people (will) be like, ‘Oh, she’s so cute,’ and they’ll want to ask me questions about her, versus asking me ‘What happened to you? Why are you in a chair?’”

Her feelings are shared by many other graduates from the program.

Jeremy Widbin’s son, Jack, has a disability that prevents him from doing certain tasks, so they applied for a service animal with Canine Companions about three years ago. In November 2024, they received Charlie, a golden retriever. 

“It’s a great organization,” Jeremy Widbin said. “They’ve enabled my child’s freedom — independence — which is the best gift a parent can give to a son.” 

Jeremy Widbin said receiving free services to enable Jack’s independence has changed their lives. 

“Anything we can do to foster that independence is an unbelievable gift,” Jeremy Widen said. “For (Jack), especially once he gets older, it’ll be a game-changer for him. Right now, he’s limited in what he’s able to command and what he’s able to do, but he’s young.” 

For veteran Angie Guilbe, having service dogs has been a blessing. 

Because of her injuries, she is unable to pick up certain things and perform certain tasks. That’s when her service dog, Hansen, comes in. 

“We did not like each other at first,” Guilbe said. 

But, while staying on campus for two weeks to get adjusted to her new companion, Guilbe fell in love with him. 

“All of us were watching a movie in the common area, and he just jumped in my lap and fell asleep, and I was like, ‘OK, we are a match,’” she said.

Hansen not only has helped Guilbe but also a family member of hers. 

“Recently, he did something new that I don’t think he was trained for,” she said. “I was visiting family, and I have an uncle (who is) diabetic, and Hansen started nudging him to alert him.” 

In the seven months she has been with Hansen, she recalled multiple memories with him. 

“One of his funniest moments is where I’m like, ‘Let’s put on shoes,’ and he just darts away,” she said. “He knows we’re getting shoes put on, and he is not having it.” 

Canine Companions has trained more than 8,300 service dogs since its opening and hopes to continue its growth to help many more people grow their independence.