East Islip Man Aided By Canine Companions For Independence

"He’s always at my side, I’m his guy," said Kevin Schmidt of Islip Terrace about his dog Kip. "He makes my life better. It’s been tough, and he gives me smiles every day. It’s called Canine Companions, but the companion part is what really fulfills me.”

Kip is one of hundreds of service dogs that have been placed with children, adults and veterans with disabilities across the country through Canine Companions for Independence. Many placements have occurred on Long Island, including in Babylon, Bayport and Westbury.

The largest nonprofit provider of assistance dogs, Canine Companions is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs. Adults with disabilities, including wounded veterans and veterans with disabilities, are partnered with trained service or hearing dogs. The assistance dogs, with adult support, also perform physical tasks for children with a range of disabilities. The service dogs are trained and partnered with working professionals in a health care, visitation, criminal justice or education setting.

Canine Companions has facilitated matches since 1975. The connections enhance the lives of people with disabilities by providing assistance dogs and ongoing support without charge to ensure quality and longevity of the matches between dogs and people.

“The service dogs create new opportunities and new possibilities for people that lead to increased independence and confidence,” said Debra Dougherty, executive director of Canine Companions. She is located at the organization’s northeast region training center, the Miller Family Campus at 286 Middle Island Road in Medford (631-561-0200).

Long Island, Regional Support

The organization is supported by many people across Long Island and throughout the region, including Colonel E. David Woycik, Jr. (Ret.), United States Army. Woycik resides in Garden City with his wife, Carolyn Sanchez of Los Angeles. Raised in Huntington, Woycik is a senior trial partner concentrating on personal injury, construction, highway design and toxic torts at Sanders, Sanders Block, Woycik, Viener & Grossman, P.C. of Mineola.

Woycik joined the board of directors of Canine Companion’s northeast region during 2010. Since then, he has actively supported the organization as a volunteer, financially and with fundraising assistance. Most recently, a double figure donation was presented to Canine Companions in his honor by friend and fellow Hofstra University alumni James C. Metzger, owner of the Whitmore Agency of Garden City that provides insurance and estate planning. Metzger is well-known across Long Island for his business services along with extensive support of athletic, education and other community programs.

Nine years ago, Woycik helped Canine Companions organize an annual Veteran’s Day event -- “Saluting Independence” -- that recognizes service men and women from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and the War Against Terrorism. Since 2011, Canine Companions’ Veterans Day salute has raised more than $500,000 to support the puppies/dogs programs for deserving veterans.

“The program began as an awareness event with the dedication of a dorm room that David named in honor of veterans,” added Dougherty. “A year later, the Outstanding Service Award, named for Woycik and Lance Corporal Matias Ferriera, was created to annually honor one person or corporation for outstanding service in military service and/or volunteering to assist veterans.”

Colonel Woycik served overseas in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait for Operation Desert Storm and recently for Operation Enduring Freedom in the War Against Terrorism. He is a well-decorated soldier and has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Ribbon. Lance Corporal and Machine Gunner Ferriera was injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan during 2011. He sustained bilateral below the knee amputations and a pelvic fracture. Today, Ferreira is a Suffolk County police officer.

Saluting Independence Locally

This year’s “Saluting Independence” event on Long Island on Veterans Day / November 11 will feature a virtual program due to the limitations created by COVID-19. Emphasis has been placed on fundraising to support expansion of the initiative for veterans to include men and women with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Captain Victor Prato of East Marion will be honored at the ceremony along with his service dog Barbossa. Severely wounded in Afghanistan during 2017 when his vehicle was targeted by a suicide bomber, Captain Prato was presented with the Purple Heart by President Donald Trump at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

“I knew that a perfect fit for me would be to get a dog that could be my companion and be with me as I navigate the world now,” said Captain Prato. “Barbossa is my rock.”

Captain Prato was wounded when he served under 4-Star General John “Mick” Nicholson, the recipient of Canine Companions’ 2020 Outstanding Service Award. At the time, General Nicholson was commander of Resolute Support and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan. Presently, he is president of the PenFed Foundation that empowers military service members, veterans and their communities with the skills and resources to realize financial stability and opportunity.

As Captain Prato was training to receive his service dog, he and General Nicholson enjoyed an unexpected reunion. The general is a Canine Companions volunteer puppy raiser. He now is raising WestPoint, a future veteran companion.

“As we draw closer to Veterans Day and celebrate the service that America’s men and women have dedicated to the country,” concluded Dougherty, “this also is a time to champion the companions that assist the veterans who have returned with combat injuries and need a little extra support in their lives.”

_______

Mike Virgintino is the author of Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History, the story about America's theme park located in The Bronx. Published by Theme Park Press, it can be found on Amazon, eBay, Goodreads and other retailers.