A Look Back at 2020!
Co Founders of My Canine Companion , Niall and Cliona, with Yeska, Belle and Odette
2020 was a crazy year for so many, and it was a busy year here at My Canine Companion! Lets look back at some of our highlights of the year!
Our N Litter caused quite a stir!
Our N litter, Nally, Nancy, Noelle, Nora and Nellie caused quite a stir on social media, when they were seen out and about in our Puppy wagon in January. They kicked off the year putting smiles on so many faces, visiting offices all over Dublin. These guys visited Today Fm, Newstalk, were seen on Ireland Am, and even met Jason Byrne on their travels
The Arrival of our O litter
Mom, Jeannie, with her 8 beautiful babies
In February our O litter joined us, to mom Jackie! She had 8 beautiful babies - Olaf, Ollie, Olivia, Orna, Olga, Oti, Odette, and Opal. The O litter were socialised during the first Lockdown, after being placed with some of our volunteer puppy raisers. Though things were so different, they still got their early training, being exposed to different environments, and getting used to the family environment.
These guys are now 10 months old and are all coming up through our unique puppy programme, to become Autism Service Dogs.
When the whole country shut down, we kept working!
The country might have gone into complete Lockdown, but My Canine Companion kept working. With a lot of organisations making staff redundant, and halting training, all of our staff kept working.
Our staff worked independently, ensuring social distancing, and the safety of everyone. Our trainers welcomed their training dogs into their homes, to continue their training. Our Puppy classes, and support moved online. This was all new for the charity, but we were determined to keep our promise to families around Ireland.
Our Fundraising moved online!
All of our traditional fundraising came to a halt, due to Covid 19, so we, like so many others had to move online. Our annual Jog for a Dog event moved to a virtual race and was a sell out!
This move to online fundraising saw virtual exercise classes, online quizzes, and of course our Virtual tour of Ireland. All of these events brought in vital funds for the charity, to help us to continue our work during the pandemic.
We Welcomed Our P Litter!
Mom, Jeannie, welcomed 8 gorgeous babies in May. Paulie, Pongo, Pebbles, PJ, Pablo, Pep, Piper and Peggy joined the My Canine Companion family, and began their journey to become Autism Service dogs. They are now coming up through our Puppy programme, and are doing fantastic work.
Pep joined our Schools programme, and now works with the students in Bridgetown College.
Qualification Class May 2020
Due to Covid 19, our qualification class had to change slightly in May, but the result was still the same! With all of the government guidelines followed, we adapted our final class, so that our training dogs could return home to their families, as qualified service dogs.
This will always be one to remember, with service dogs Jinx, Jangle, Faith, Flash, and Hettie qualifying during the pandemic, and returning home to change lives.
We launched our partnership with Peptalk!
We were so excited to announce our partnership with Peptalk in June. Peptalk are a community powered employee wellbeing hub, designed to drive connection, and wellbeing in the workplace.
We, along with Peptalk, share the belief that everyone deserves independence, and a place in society.
The pandemic may have put some of our plans on hold, but we know 2021 has so much to look forward to with these guys!
We Welcomed Mescal and Marianne!
These guys caused quite a stir when we introduced them, and we think it could have something to do with their names. Named after Normal People Stars, Paul Mescal, and his on screen love Marianne, our two gorgeous poodle puppies were going to catch the eye of so many people.
Puppy Mescal even tried a pair of those O Neills shorts, just like his namesake! These two are now 7 months old, and are both coming up through our Puppy programme.
My Canine Companion on Virgin Media News!
Mom Caroline, Lola, and her service Dog Farrah, were interviewed on Virgin Media News, to spread some amazing awareness about the work the charity does, and the effect that covid 19 has had.
An honest and emotional interview from Caroline, showed just how much our dogs can change lives.
Jazz Qualifies during International Assistance Dogs week!
Jazz graduated as a qualified service dog in August 2020, after completing his final training with trainer Karen. He returned home to his family, and was attached to his best friend Daniel. These two have an amazing bond, and Jazz has made 2020 so much easier for Daniel!
Our R Litter joined us!
We welcomed 7 future Superheroes in July, our R Litter. Riley, Ruddy, Rourke, Roz, Reena, Rona and Rodney joined the My Canine Companion family. Rona, of course, was named after Corona, due to popular demand, and while Corona virus has turned so many lives upside down, this gorgeous girl, and her siblings are going to change a child's life for the better!
We Welcomed our S Litter!
We welcomed our S Litter In August, with 8 more future heroes added to the family.
Summer, Spirit, Sioda, Sullivan, Sile, Sasha, Shelby and Sue joined us, and began their journey to becoming Autism Service Dogs. They were socialised during the second lockdown of the year, and are all coming up through our puppy programme.
Pep made the return to school so much easier!
After almost 6 months off, the kids returned to school, and My Canine Companion school therapy dog, Pep, was ready and waiting to welcome the kids from Bridgetown College back. Pep supports so many students in the school, and they have even said she helps them to forget about covid. Whether it is her being there for a quick cuddle, to go for a walk during break time, or to support students through their classes, Pep is a huge part of the school community now and she played a huge part in reducing anxiety on the return to school 2020.
Huck Qualifies!
In October, Huck graduated as a qualified service dog, and returned home to his family to begin his job to keep Charlie safe. Attachment has been huge for these two, giving Charlie back his independence, and making sure the whole family can now get out together!
December Qualification Class!
Our final qualification class of 2020 took place in December, and our training dogs were reunited with their families to graduate as Qualified Service Dogs. Flynn, Kylie, Kourtney, Hadlee, Kirby, Karen, Hattie and Jake graduated, and they returned home just in time for Christmas, to give their families a very special gift. The gift of Independence! What a way to end 2020!
We Welcomed our T litter!
Just in time For Christmas, on December 23rd, we welcomed out T litter. Mom Wendy welcomed 8 gorgeous babies, who are yet to be named. What an amazing way to round off the year!
We cannot wait to see these guys grow, and begin their socialisation, and early training.