Update on hit & run survivor

As many of you heard on my blog back in September, one of our Board of Directors, Cindy White, was critically injured in a hit & run accident.  After spending 30 days in the hospital, Cindy was thankful to spend Thanksgiving at home with her family.

Although the driver has yet to be found, Cindy is staying positive. Read the article about Cindy's progress on the Press Democrat's website: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20101124/ARTICLES/101129785?tc=ar

Anna Johnson

This is a neat video about one of the artists at Becoming Independent. Anna creates art at the Santa Rosa Campus where I go to work everyday! Here is a really sweet photo of Anna and me from early 2010:

Hit-and-run victim seriously injured

This is not my usual post, but it is very important. Please read & spread the word!

One of our participants and Board Member, Cindy White was seriously injured by a hit-and-run driver in downtown Petaluma on Monday. Cindy was on her way to work when she was hit by an older model Ford pickup, white with a two-tone burgundy stripe, and a chrome bumper. Anyone with information on the collision is asked to call Petaluma Officer Bert Walker at 778-4455.

Read more in the Press Democrat's article: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100921/ARTICLES/100929877

20th Anniversary of ADA

Did you know that 2010 marks the 20th Anniversary of the ADA?

For a fact sheet on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, visit: http://www.dor.ca.gov/ada2010/ADA-Fact-Sheet.pdf

I was in the news!

I was featured in the news with my handler, Peggy.  Read the article about me and other canine companions at Lake County News' website. 

All natural weed killers

Today I met the strangest looking dogs. But they didn't have a tail like me or run like me. And sometimes they would rear up on their hind legs and hit each other in the head. What are they doing?  My handler, Peggy, tells me that their names are Freda and Flake. Freda has the white spots on her, and Flake is all brown and black. 

 

They seemed a little unsure of me, but I was being very good. I tried to show them that I wouldn't hurt them.  Flake and Freda come to visit about once a week, and they get to spend their days in Becoming Independent's garden.  I'm told that these little girls are all-natural, organic "weed killers."  I think they are too cute to be weed killers, but they sure do like to eat the grass. Once all the weeds are gone, BI is going to plant a pumpkin patch for the fall. Sounds like fun!

Rally at State Building

You may have read in the Press Democrat this morning about a protest that took place at the State Building in Downtown Santa Rosa. I was there with over 350 people! Many of the people there were the people I work with everyday at Becoming Independent. There were some new faces too. Peggy said that other groups that serve individuals with disabilities came out for the protest with Becoming Independent. What were they protesting? They were protesting additional state budget cuts to disability services. "We've taken our share of cuts already" was the theme of the protest. 

I heard chants like "No More Cuts," "Save our Services SOS," "Don't Take my Independence," and "Save our Jobs." I think people were concerned about losing their ability to live on their own and be independent, contributing members of the community.

Closure Day

I’m pretty sad, because I will not get to go to work tomorrow at Becoming Independent. Tomorrow, March 31st is a state-mandated closure day.

And it will be repeated within just five days.  We are scheduled for another state-mandated closure day next Monday, April 5. Each day we are closed Becoming Independent loses $50,000 in state funds.


So in less than one week, we are losing $100,000 in revenue that helps pay for our operations. This is not an easy fiscal challenge for a non-profit. And that’s not the only state funding cuts BI faces. Last year Sacramento cut our revenues by 3 percent. And now we hear the same 3 percent cut will be repeated this year, too.  This is why we're so focused on bringing in support from all of the people who value what we do here at Becoming Independent.  Please go to our Donate Now page and learn how you can assist.

But to the events of tomorrow:

             

And there are many more reasons why I'm sad about these closure days. Participants are loosing socializing time with me! But most importantly, the shutdown of BI virtually shuts down the “real world” of my friends. BI is important to people in helping them achieve their potentials, be with friends, and live meaningful lives. At home, they sit and wait for BI to re-open.  That’s what I’ll be doing too!

And, without BI in operation their parents, brothers and sisters, friends and other support people must provide alternative care and support that BI routinely provides. Also, tomorrow, most of the BI workforce that works out in the community in a variety of jobs will be staying home, not reporting to work, not earning their small but VITAL personal incomes.

BI is going green!

We're going green! I was told that BI formed the BI Green Committee which is spearheading efforts in creating an environmentally responsible organization by educating staff & participants to become more 'green' at work, home, and in the community. That seems like a lot of technical talk to me. 


Today was BI Green's big rollout celebration and there were some people who were dressed up really funny.  There was a woman, Hailie from North Bay Corporation who talked about reducing waste in Sonoma County. Hailie is working with Becoming Independent on a regular basis to help us become as green as possible. 

Annual Board Meeting

March 4^th was Becoming Independent’s annual Board meeting.  I attended the event with lots of BI staff, supporters and participants.  Cami, the CEO of BI, mentioned the accomplishments and setbacks that Becoming Independent has experienced over the past year.  Each of the Board of Directors had an opportunity to speak about why they are involved with this organization. We honored Volunteer of the Year (Sue Brady), Business of the Year (Mary’s Pizza Shack), and Philanthropist of the Year (Bill & M-L Reinking).

Bill and M-L have been very involved with both Becoming Independent and Canine Companions for Independence for many years.  When they went up to podium to accept their award, M-L borrowed me from my handler, Peggy.  The entire time I was at the podium with Bill & M-L Reinking, they kept petting and hugging me.  I heard that she recently lost her black lab, Bobby, so I did what I do best: provide unconditional love.

Bobby was my grandfather and a retired breeder dog for CCI and the Reinkings were his caretakers. Bobby used to make guest appearances at BI.  Although he didn’t come everyday like me, I’m sure he made people happy when he did visit.  M-L told the crowd that I am a rockstar.  It made me feel very special.  M-L and Bill appreciate how special dogs from Canine Companions for Independence are. 

CCI Tour

Today was so much fun! I had several friends from Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) come on a tour of Becoming Independent (BI).  I got to show them what I do here and how important my job as a facility dog is.  My handler, Peggy, explained that if one of the people we serve is having a bad day, I can make them feel so much better.  I have the ability lift their mood and brighten up their day.  I may be backtracking a bit, but I like this picture of me "on the job" from January 2010:

I was very excited to meet some new friends today, including Rosebud and Journey.  At under a year old, they are still pups and learning the ropes. Soon they will be ready to leave their puppy raisers. I think I set a good example for these two youngsters.  One of my good friends, Gambia, was on the tour too.  Gambia also comes to BI everyday.  Sometimes we get our nails done together.

Chinese New Year

Today I helped participants and staff at Becoming Independent celebrate the Chinese New Year - the Year of the Tiger.  I was dressed for the occasion and joined in on the fun during the parade.  Do you like my tiger outfit?

Welcome to my Blog

I'm Bonds & welcome to my blog!  

I was the lucky dog chosen to become a facility dog at BI.  I joined the Becoming Independent (BI) team in the summer of 2009, shortly after my graduation from Canine Companions for Independence (CCI).   My handler, Peggy, works in Employment Services at BI.  I go to work with her everyday to socialize with individuals with disabilities.