Success Stories

In September of 2016, a special partnership began when a CaPR pup named Obie became the first facility dog to be paired with a mental health professional in Aspen, Colorado. Obie’s bond with his person, Kelsey, was built on a commitment to helping others, and transformed both of their lives.

Obie quickly became an integral part of Kelsey’s practice, bringing joy and comfort to clients and staff alike. His gentle presence made therapy sessions more approachable, particularly for children struggling with anxiety and trauma. Through play and companionship, Obie helped clients build confidence and develop essential self-regulation skills.

Obie’s impact extended far beyond the tasks he performed. He created a welcoming atmosphere, often greeting hesitant clients with playful antics. For those facing difficult moments, his presence provided solace and grounding. One notable instance involved two brothers who had experienced a traumatic event; having Obie by their side during their court testimony offered them much-needed comfort and courage.

As Obie assisted in various therapeutic activities, he not only enriched the lives of clients but also fostered a sense of community within Kelsey’s practice. His playful nature and loving spirit uplifted everyone around him, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those he touched.

Though Obie has since passed, his legacy lives on. Kelsey honors his memory by keeping photographs and certificates on display in the office and sharing stories of their time together with clients. Each October 29th, Obie’s birthday, will be a day of remembrance filled with celebration, likely featuring his favorite ice cream treat.

Obie’s story exemplifies the powerful role that facility dogs can play in mental health settings – offering companionship, comfort, and healing to those who need it. His legacy serves as a reminder of the profound connections between humans and animals, highlighting the significant impact that the love and support of an animal can have in the journey toward healing.

When Steve was considering getting his first service dog, he looked at several other organizations, but settled on applying for a dog through Canine Partners of the Rockies because we only place dogs in Colorado.

Canine Partners of the Rockies chooses to place dogs only in Colorado so we can be available for training and support for the lifetime of the partnership. This is especially important for our clients living with progressive disabilities that require ongoing training to modify a dog’s skills.

Steve was matched with his first dog, Yampa, in March 2013. Canine Partners of the Rockies staff visited his home to determine what dog might be a good fit for his personality, his needs, and his lifestyle. Together, they determined Yampa would be his new canine partner.

In addition to opening doors, pulling laundry baskets, and retrieving dropped items, Steve said the best thing about having Yampa was that “people didn’t see my scooter so much. They see the dog.”

When Yampa passed away, Steve knew he would need another dog from Canine Partners of the Rockies. He applied, and as a CaPR client, he was moved to the top of the list.

Steve was matched with Dune in July of 2021. Team Training for Steve and Dune was two weeks of getting to know each other, learning essential skills, and creating a plan for their partnership, along with CaPR trainers and their Team Training classmates, Diane & Zuni.

“They’re just very well trained, that’s what it is. It’s just that we’ve been taught how to utilize what they do. And, they’re very, very good.”

“These dogs provide more than just tasks. He changed my life significantly because… people would actually avoid looking at me in a scooter. The dog brings the attention back to me. It’s like having a second chance.”

We’re so grateful for Steve & Dune, and all of our service dog partnerships!

When Antonio started thinking about getting a service dog, he was hesitant because he had never had a dog. But, he had a vision and recurring thoughts about a dog – and decided it might be a sign that it was time to bring one into his life.

The day Antonio met Quimby, neither felt an instant connection – although Antonio thought he recognized Quimby’s sweet eyes from his vision. Quimby was a bit reluctant to let Antonio get close to him. But, after spending a bit of time together, Quimby started to warm up; laying his head on Antonio’s feet and gradually becoming more responsive to Antonio’s cues.

Antonio appreciated that Canine Partners of the Rockies training was tailored to his needs. CaPR trainers joined Antonio at work, in stores and at parks as they prepared him to integrate Quimby into every part of his life.
Antonio and Quimby’s bond grew and grew. Antonio finally felt like this was a perfect match the day Quimby jumped up on the couch and settled in next to him, giving him confirmation that this would be a beautiful partnership.

With Quimby by his side, Antonio’s life changed quickly. He and Quimby developed a daily routine that worked for both of them, and they began to navigate life with greater ease and confidence. Quimby picks up dropped items, opens doors, and assists Antonio with traveling around the world.

When asked what he loves about their partnership, Antonio says Quimby is a dog that loves to work, and it keeps them both active – even on days when Antonio finds that difficult. Quimby also allows Antonio to bring routine and comfort to his travel; something that made him anxious before being paired with a service dog. Antonio says, “magic happens when you’re around a service dog!”

When asked to recall a fun story about Quimby, Antonio told us about a trip to Aruba where he tried for 10 days to get Quimby into the water, and then gave up. A couple days later, two kids were playing with a ball near the water. Quimby forgot his fears and joined the kids for a swim like it was no big deal!

To anyone considering getting involved with Canine Partners of the Rockies, Antonio offers this advice:

“I think each donor should really have a chance to see what these dogs can do for their guardians – see them in action. Look at these incredible animals and how much they can help people in their lives.”

Antonio and Quimby embody the heart and soul of Canine Partners of the Rockies. As their relationship grew, they each became invaluable parts of the other’s life.

Heather was matched with Stanley in April of 2023 and graduated in May of 2023 as a facility dog for a local elementary school. Heather had worked alongside a working facility dog, Willow, for years. When she transitioned to a new school, she quickly recognized how empty the team felt without a facility dog. Heather knew it was her time to apply for a dog and knew CaPR would be a great fit from her previous experience with Willow.

At first, the addition of a dog into Heather’s already busy life was tough. Working full time, doing team training with CaPR staff and trying to bond with Stanley was a process.
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But as they continued to work together, things got easier. Heather says, “Stanley was truly meant to work at a school and my job got easier having Stanley since he is capable of doing things for our students that I simply cannot.”

When asked what tasks Stanley does for Heather and students at her school, she says “Stanley’s newer task is deescalating students. I have no idea how he does it… I’ve done years of training and worked in the field for years and I still struggle to deescalate students. He’s a natural! He also loves having students visit him in the office to get some good pets, show off his cues on the go with his human, and visit kids in class to rest his head on their lap.”

Heather says, “Stanley is an active pup! He loves going on long walks around the lake, throwing his toys around the house, and rolling in the snow. He recently joined me for some skiing which was the highlight of the winter!”

Heather has this advice for teachers and school counselors considering applying for a dog: ​

“Facility dogs are such an incredible asset to any setting and contribute to the overall wellbeing of the workplace. CaPR raises and trains amazing dogs… they do incredible work finding every dog’s true calling and finding a forever human that is a perfect fit. The impact the organization has goes far and beyond the training of dogs and has lasting impacts on hundreds of lives.”

Thank you, Heather & Stanley, for all the work you do to make your school and inclusive, safe environment for learning!

Canine Partners of the Rockies places two types of working dogs- mobility assistance dogs and facility dogs. We observe the dogs’ tendencies and personalities throughout training, essentially allowing them to choose what type of work they want to do for a career. Rooney was chosen as a facility dog because of his calm nature, enjoyment of children, and emotional resiliency to continue staying engaged and relaxed even during stressful or emotional situations.
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Below, Carol shared more about her experience working alongside Rooney at Bryant Webster Elementary School.
​”Rooney hangs out in my class most of the time, and knows that when I am teaching, his job is to be unobtrusive. Sometimes he lays down under my teaching table. Other times he goes and sits next to a student; he is really good at picking out students who are having a hard day.”

“Rooney is a friend to all of the students at school. Kids love to see him out and about, and regularly ask if they can pet him. He is especially effective with kids who are having a hard time. This could be anything from comforting a kindergartener who is struggling with saying goodbye to her family in the morning, to hanging out with a group of second graders learning to control their emotions, to playing soccer at recess, to walking up and down the hall with a sixth grader who just needs a break.”

When asked to recall an impactful story about Rooney and his school kids, Carol shared this — “Our school has been designated as the receiving school for sixth through eighth grade Venezuelan immigrants and received approximately 130 students this year. Many of these students have been through extensive trauma. Their families have had to flee their country, leaving behind homes, families, friends, and pets, also sports teams and activities that they loved. Students, with their families, walked for three months, through treacherous conditions, to reach the border. They dealt with hunger, thirst, theft and violence.”

“Now, having arrived in Colorado, they are living in shelters, tents, and motel rooms that house multiple families. Most of the families are struggling to survive- the best meals they get are at school, they aren’t used to cold weather and don’t have warm clothes. Many of the children have not been in school for several years.”

“Rooney seems to sense their needs. He spends a lot more time sitting with those kids than he does other students. Rooney fills a huge gap in their lives.”

Studies have shown that a dog’s presence in a classroom contributes to a student’s overall emotional stability, evidenced by prevention and de-escalation of episodes of crises, and improved their attitudes toward school (Anderson, K 2006 and 2007). Other studies have proven that cortisol levels, a stress indicator, are lowered after human-canine interactions, benefitting individuals experiencing trauma or chronic stress (Jimenez, A 2022).

We’re SO proud of Carol & Rooney and all of our facility dog teams. They’re out in your community changing the lives of kids – and adults – daily!