Woofstock to raise money for service dogs

If you've ever wondered who it is that trains assistance dogs to perform tasks like retrieve a water bottle out of the refrigerator without eating last night's leftovers, look no further than Canine Companions for Independence.

The organization has been training dogs to help adults with disabilities, give children independence, be the ears for the hearing impaired and aid in education since 1975. Last year the organization trained 200 assistance dogs and over the summer placed its 3,000th dog into the hands of those who need it most.

CCI breeds the dogs, who spend their first year-and-a-half of their lives in a family home learning basic obedience skills, before entering a more intense CCI training program. But only about 30 percent to 40 percent of the dogs actually end up working as assistance dogs.

"Not every dog is meant to be a working dog or a service dog and we respect that," said Katie Malatino, public relations coordinator for the Southwest branch of CCI.

Dogs who are better suited to live life as a normal pet are first offered to the family that raised it and then placed for adoption. There are so many families hoping to adopt at CCI dog, that the waiting list to adopt one has been closed, Malatino said.


The assistance dogs are placed throughout the country at no cost to the person who needs the dog's assistance. CCI does not receive any government funding and relies on donations, sponsorships and one of its biggest fundraising events of the year, Woofstock.

This year's 60s-themed celebration on Saturday, April 11, is extra special because in addition to being the fundraiser's fifth anniversary, it also is the 40th anniversary of the festival Woofstock borrows its moniker from.

Malatino said Woofstock, which is held at Balboa Park in San Diego, Calif., draws in all sorts of crowds but really is a day for families, many of whom dress up themselves and their dogs.


"People really get into it. ...People wear wigs, they put wigs on their dogs," Malatino said. "It's just a really festive, fun atmosphere and an opportunity for your dogs to mingle with others."

Last year 1,500 attended Woofstock and Malatino hopes it will be even larger this year with features like fly ball, a costume contest and an appearance by Jon Provost, who played Timmy in "Lassie."

Woofstock also features the Peace, Love and Walk 'n Roll Fun Dog Walk. Restration fees for the walk are $35 for an adult, $15 for children or $60 for a family. The registration fee includes admission to Woofstock, an event T-shirt and a sWAG bag filled with pet-approved goodies. Registration for the walk begins at 8 a.m. Admission to Woofstock only is $5, and the festival runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information call (800) 572-BARK.