About Us

Introduction

Canine Partners For Life (CPL) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to training service dogs, home companion dogs, and residential companion dogs to assist individuals who have a wide range of physical and cognitive disabilities. Based in Cochranville, Pennsylvania, CPL places service dogs nationwide. Home companion dogs are generally placed within a 250-mile radius of the campus (sometimes further) and residential companions are place within a 100-mile radius of the campus.

Each CPL dog receives a comprehensive and customized training program to meet the specific needs of their human partner. Depending on the assigned program, the dog will receive up to two years of training before being trained to work with its person. CPL has one of the strongest follow-up programs in the industry to ensure the success of each team throughout the lifetime of the partnership.

Vision Statement

To improve the quality of life of persons with physical disabilities.

Mission Statement

To increase the independence and quality of life of individuals with mobility impairments by providing professionally trained service dogs and support services. Each dog will be trained to meet the specific needs of individual recipients. Our support services shall ensure that our teams perform in a manner that promotes the welfare of the recipient, canine, and public. Our goal is to establish a lifetime bond between the recipient and the dog. Our efforts will be focused on, but not limited to, an area within a 250 mile radius of Cochranville, Pennsylvania.

History

Canine Partners For Life was founded in 1989 by Darlene Sullivan, a former special education instructor and animal trainer. The organization flourished and grew within her home until 1997 at which time the organization was in a position to purchase a 45 acre property. This property developed into the current campus which consists of an office building, canine housing unit, training center, and housing for our emergency weather staff member.

From the originating service dog program developed the home companion dog and residential companion dog programs. These programs helped CPL meet the increasingly diverse needs of its applicants and also helped to best utilize the wide range of skills and talents in the organization's dogs.

The prison puppy raising program (PPRP) developed when the organization's growth exceeded the number of available community puppy home volunteers. This highly successful program trains inmates in six area correctional facilities to raise and train the puppies for their first year of life.

Credentials/Recognition

Canine Partners For Life is a leader in the assistance dog industry. A voting member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI) from its inception, the organization was one of the first service dog organizations in the world to be accredited by ADI. CPL's Executive Director served on ADI's Board of Directors for six years, five of those as Secretary, and currently serves on the ADI North America Board and is chairperson of the Advocacy and Access Committtee.

CPL is an active member in the Pennsylvania Association for Nonprofit Organizations (PANO), the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, and the Chester County Farm Bureau. Over the years CPL has received numerous local and national awards, recognizing its commitment to quality and dedication to its teams.

Structure/Organization

Canine Partners For Life is governed by a Board of Directors and is managed by eleven full-time and six part-time staff members. Hundreds of volunteers contribute to the work of the organization in a wide variety of areas.

Funding

CPL is funded entirely by donations. Through individual giving, foundation grants, corporate grants, and special events the organization raises its entire budget annually. CPL does not receive government funding, nor does it receive third party payment from insurance etc.

The total cost to raise, train, place, and provide lifetime support for each CPL dog is estimated to be more than $22,000 per dog. The organization utilizes a sliding scale based on income to determine the requested donation for each recipient, ranging from $1,000 - $3,000.