Canine Partners for Life

As most of you know, I'm raising money this year for a wonderful organization called Canine Partners for Life throughout my Ironman training "experience." If you haven't checked it out yet, spend some time over at the IM Able website to get more info on the charity, my supporters and CPL.

So if you're feeling down about training or feeling defeated by your bike speeds or run paces, take a moment to view life through a different lens. Here are only a few stories of the individuals who go through the CPL program and are enabled to so much more with the help of a canine companion. Feel inspired? You can donate directly to CPL through the Janus Charity Challenge site.

As always, thanks for reading!

Mary and Flame

This Colorado pair have taken the press by storm and have been featured both in written articles and TV spots. Mary uses Flame for a multitude of tasks, most importantly would be help with dressing, opening and closing doors, retrieval and carrying, and paying cashiers. Flame helps with shopping, cleaning, laundry, and her adorable looks make Mary an immediate social magnet.

Katy and Leo

This Pennsylvania college team is working hard. Katy uses Leo for support and balance while walking and on steps. Leo also helps with retrieval, laundry, and helps Katy get up off of the floor. Since their graduation, Katy has also begun having seizures and Leo jumped right in to help by alerting to them before they happen.

Claire and Larkin

Larkin is a successor dog for Claire who is a Pennsylvania high school student. This theatre loving pair are headed for great success. Larkin helps Claire by providing support, balance and momentum as she walks, along with helping to take papers to the teachers, pay cashiers, and carry school supplies.

Conrad and Hunschel

These two spent most of team training learning to move in the same direction and despite Conrad’s questionable driving skills in his new wheelchair these two became a wonderful working team! Conrad referred to Hunschel as his "angel". Hunschel will be helping Conrad with retrieval, opening and closing doors, paying cashiers, tugging the laundry basket, elevator and door buttons, and light switches.