Sarah Ford | April 2, 2015

Puppy Love

Canine Partners for Life is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The Cochranville-based organization has trained and placed more than 600 dogs in homes all across the country, allowing people with a wide variety of disabilities to lead fuller, more active lives.

The Chester County Press will soon be publishing a story about the 25th anniversary of Canine Partners for Life, and while preparing that story we met people like Sarah and Mike.

Sarah, a sophomore at the University of Delaware, welcomed Rosebud into her family after she was diagnosed with epilepsy. The small dog is more than just a friendly companion; she alerts Sarah when she is about to suffer an epileptic seizure, crawling onto her lap and refusing to leave until the danger has passed. This helps keep Sarah safe and active.

Mike has been wheelchair-bound since 1988, after he was injured in a fall. He has received two dogs from Canine Partners for Life over the years. Annabelle is his constant companion, and helps him in numerous ways. She can help him pick up items that he can’t reach. She can notify other family members when he needs help.

The dogs that are trained at Canine Partners for Life can help people with a wide range of physical, neurological, and cognitive disabilities, including muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, cerebral palsy, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, spinal cord injuries, strokes, seizure disorders, arthritis, spina bifida, Parkinson’s Disease and more.

>> Continue Reading

>> Support Canine Partners for Life

Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox

Explore More Articles

Why Your Company Should Offer a Matching Gift Program

July 13, 2026

Every year, billions of dollars in potential charitable giving go unclaimed, not because employees don’t want to give, but because their employers haven’t made it…

Employee Disaster Relief: How to Build an Emergency Assistance Fund Before the Next Crisis

July 6, 2026

The 2026 hurricane season is already underway. While NOAA forecasts a 55% probability of a below-average season, projections still call for 8–14 named storms, 3–6…

Emergency Assistance Fund Compliance: How to Stay IRS-Compliant While Maximizing Employee Impact

June 17, 2026

Why Emergency Assistance Funds Matter More Than Ever Financial insecurity remains a critical challenge for today’s workforce. Approximately 37% of Americans cannot afford an unexpected…

Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox

Receive our monthly/bi-monthly newsletter filled with information about causes, nonprofit impact, and topics important for corporate social responsibility and employee engagement professionals, including disaster response, workplace giving, matching gifts, employee assistance funds, volunteering, scholarship award program management, grantmaking, and other philanthropic initiatives.

newsletter-mock