Canine Companions For Independence Salutes Veterans

This year's Veterans Day “Saluting Independence” event on Long Island hosted by Canine Companions for Independence will honor Captain Victor Prato of East Marion, his service dog Barbossa and 4-Star General John "Mick" Nicholson, who is the recipient of the organization's 2020 Outstanding Service Award.

Canine Companions is the largest nonprofit provider of assistance dogs. Recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs, Canine Companions has facilitated matches since 1975 to enhance the lives of people with disabilities. The organization provides expertly-trained assistance dogs and ongoing support without charge to ensure quality and longevity of the matches it makes between dogs and people. Canine Companions has placed service animals across the island, including in Babylon, Bayport, Islip Terrace and Westbury.

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Local companions --

• Brad Johnson and Barney of Bayport: “When Brad met Barney, I saw the life come back into his eyes,” said mother Brenda Johnson.

• Bobby Morcerf and Summit of Babylon: “With Summit I don’t have to ask for help as often. He is always there for me!”

• Air Force veteran and retired Port Authority police officer Ken Hernandez and Miller of Westbury: “Miller is amazing. He provides me with the independence I’ve longed for.”

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

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“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).

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. Canine Companions’ service dogs are partnered with working professionals in a health care, visitation, criminal justice or education setting.

Barbossa And WestPoint

The November 11 program honoring Captain Prato, Barbossa and General Nicholson will feature a virtual ceremony due to the limitations created by COVID-19.

Captain Prato was wounded severely in Afghanistan during 2017 when his vehicle was targeted by a suicide bomber. He was presented with the Purple Heart Medal by President Donald Trump at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He received his service dog from Canine Companions.

“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 served under General Nicholson. At the time, the general 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.

Benefactors Across The Region

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 was raised in Huntington and resides in Garden City with his wife, Carolyn Sanchez of Los Angeles. He 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 in deeds, financially and with fundraising. 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 the“Saluting Independence” event to recognize service men and women from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and the War Against Terrorism. Since 2011, the Veterans Day salute has raised more than $500,000 to support the puppies/dogs programs for deserving veterans. Additional emphasis has been placed on fundraising this year to finance expansion of the program for veterans to include men and women with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“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.

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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.