Assistance dogs change lives. They save lives. Their role is crucial to the well-being of many of us.
If you’re a regular reader of my blog, or you follow me on social media, you’ll know I have a CGI assistance dog (in training, though her exam is on the 12th of May!). I talk about her and post photos of her an awful lot. She is the furry love of my life.
Who Are CGI?
Canine Generated Independence (CGI) is a small group of owner trained assistance dogs. CGI is an incorporated not for profit organisation. There are approximately eighty CGI members and dogs within the UK. We’re supported by a team of six trustees. Each member is assigned a qualified dog trainer/animal behaviouralist. They work closely with us to ensure our training is on track and to help us with any advice or support that we need. You can get really nice service dog harness online
Are CGI Dogs Fake Assistance Dogs?
The most widely known assistance dogs are ADUK dogs. A number of times I’ve been asked if my dog is a blind dog… No. She can see perfectly well! Grr. ADUK is a coalition of seven charities that work within the UK providing physically disabled people with trained dogs. The work they do is fantastic. ADUK dogs are very sought after which therefore means they have rather long waiting lists and aren’t always going to be able to meet the demands. ADUK are quite specific as to what disabilities they offer dogs for. This leaves a large void that needs filling.
In the UK, assistance dogs can be trained by anyone. A CGI dog has exactly the same rights as an ADUK dog. There are a number of smaller charities and businesses that exist in this country.
High Standards
Our dogs are all trained to a high standard and as a member of the IAADP, CGI follows their Public Access Test. We have to fill out a detailed log each week to ensure all training is being carried out correctly. A code of conduct must be agreed upon and adhered to, along with ensuring your dog’s vaccinations, insurance and health checks are kept up to date.
The Logo & What It Means
Our dogs wear the CGI logo as a symbol to reassure service users that dogs wearing their jackets have been trained to high standards and are capable of doing the job required of them. CGI offers its members guidance as to what level of training is needed and to advise members of the laws. Being a member of CGI also creates a community in which to support and encourage each other and not just with their dog training, but also in their everyday lives.
Funding, Support & Why It’s So Important
With a membership fee of just £36 a year, fundraising and sponsorship are critical to enable the continued running of CGI. It’s important for CGI to be able to keep their membership prices affordable in order to enable availability to as many people as possible. Whilst maintaining high standards, every staff member at CGI works on a volunteer basis. No one takes any wages or any money for personal gain. This is assured, furthermore, they are an incorporated non-profit organisation registered with HMRC. They’re totally transparent with their accounts.
To support CGI, to help get the CGI name out there, or if you can offer anything in the way of raffle prizes, etc, please do get in touch. You can go to the CGI website or visit their facebook page.
FREE GIVEAWAY
This brings me to the giveaway. I’m going to be giving away a hamper packed full of retro sweets delivered straight to the winner. I need for this blog post to be shared as far and wide as you can. It would be brilliant to raise awareness of CGI and the work they do.
?? To be in with a chance of winning, please click the rafflecopter box below ??
a Rafflecopter giveaway.
Good Luck x
Lovely dogs. Good job 🙂
My sister is training her dog to become an assistance dog through CGI. Everyone who helps run this organisation do it voluntary and I have such admiration and the utmost of respect for everyone at CGI. Thankyou for helping my sister and her dog xx
Hi wglhat a ehatcyou are spoiling usxwuith I’d be delghted
My son is 8 years old and on the Autism Spectrum, he is faced with many Challenges due to this and his life has thrown him many curve balls, I started looking into the world of Assistance Dog Owner Training because I felt it better for my son as this way he would be actively involved so this allowing the bond & relationship to grow & develop as each of them learn together with and from each other, rather than getting an already trained dog that has developed a personality & traits without you that you then need to tap into which for someone with Autism is extremely difficult.
I will always be grateful to have found CGI ( Canine Generated Independence ), The CEO, The Trustee’s, Trainer’s & Members alike, they have just been phenomenal in helping to build my Son’s independence & self awareness, it has also been encouraging his verbal communication skills tremendously. His now 9 month old Sprocker Soaniel is helping him with Intensive Interaction Play, Anxiety Response Task’s, Absence Seizure Alert, Deep Pressure, Tracking & Road Safety, I could not be more proud of them. ( The Gruesome Twosome ) .. x
Aww what lovely dogs and a great prize too. Well done to you for helping out too! X
I have an assistance dog myself through Canine Partners so I know how incredible they are. I’ve heard great things about CGI, and one of my friends on Facebook has a CGI dog (Boris). Good luck with your training
How lovely! Its nice to win a prize, but its even nicer to see its to promote such a worthy cause.
Such amazing dogs! loving your blog posts
Gump is such a beautiful dog <3
ooh would be lovely to win, I have a psychiatric assistance dog in training but due to my physical health I now need a dog that can do mobility work as well as psych tasks, which my girl is too small to do, I am hopefully going to be joining cgi with the new puppy
That’s fantastic, so nice to see!
I’d love to get an assistance dog for my 9 year old son with classic autism. I’ve been turned down by dogs for the disabled as they don’t cover our area apparently (Manchester) Have tried a couple of other companies but they wanted in excess of £2k to provide us with a dog. Now at a dead end… ?
Oh my goodness, please don’t pay out private companies, that sounds super suspicious. Get in touch with CGI x
These dogs are fabulous. They change lives and they just do it for love. Amazing dogs ?
Oh these dogs are lovely!!
These dogs are amazing
This is such an amazing cause. I have 3 dogs as pets and without training I feel like they can help a lot emotionally so it’s amazing to see what trained dogs can do to ease people’s difficulties!
Lovely dogs
Such amazing dogs! This was a lovely read x
That’s so lovely. Thanks for the chance to win.
These dogs are amazing
wonderful doggies, great to read about them!
These dogs are amazing little heroes x
These dogs are so amazing and so lovely to read about the importance of their role.
Mmmm I love sweets, thank you for the chance xxx
Absolutely amazing, fantastic dogs.
Hi wat a great giveaway
Hi, I hope she passes Her exam with flying colours!
Thank you. Me too <3
Thanks. Me too <3
What a great Charity (and blog). My son has ASD and love animals, can really see the benefit an Indepedance Dog could bring to people whatever their disability. Top marks for supporting this great cause.
Thank you 🙂 Have you thought about an assistance dog for your son?
These dogs are so inspiring and the help they give is awesome.
Lovely blog, great giveaway
Hi.
Such lovely doggies and a lovely giveaway too x
Lovely dogs! Many thanks for the giveaway.
They really are man’s, and woman’s best friend❤️