The newest addition to Middleburg and the family of Steve and Susanne Lamb is an 8 week old puppy named Bradley II. This isn't any ordinary pup, though. Bradley is destined to become a Canine Companions for Independence assistance dog, and begin a life of service with a disabled person in about two years.

The Lambs have been supporters of CCI for over two years, and this last May, hosted a Puppy Raising Outreach Event at the Middleburg Community Center along with fellow CCI volunteers Lisa and Zohar Ben-Dov. The event was attended by about 100 locals, including the Middleburg Lions Club.

"We've been able to meet the CCI graduate teams, and see the difference these dogs make in their lives," says Susanne Lamb.

It was at this event the Lambs, who are both veterans and participate in local veterans outreach programs, were introduced to the first Northeast Wounded Veteran recipient, Sgt. Sam Cila, USA (Ret.) with his Assistance Dog Gillian. Cila was attending with Gillian's puppy raiser, 11-year-old Maggie. Maggie told the Lambs about the many emotions experienced during the process of raising a puppy.

"It was very moving to hear what they do, and to know that these dogs are going on to serve the greater good," said Steve Lamb.

The Lambs will raise Bradley for the next year and a half. The dog will be taught socialization skills and basic commands and the Lamb's will be in contact with CCI instructors to monitor his progress.

At the end of the year and a half, Bradley will be returned to the CCI Northeast Regional Training Facility in Medford, New York, to begin six months of advanced training before being matched with a disabled person to begin a life of service.

It costs in excess of $45,000 to raise and train each assistance dog, which are then placed free of charge with their recipients thanks to the generosity of CCI's donors.

Steve Lamb candidly states that at the end of a year-and-a half, it will be difficult to give the dog up,…But we know where Bradley is going, and that makes it ok. People don't have a full appreciation for the challenges faced by handicapped individuals, and what a wonderful difference these dogs can make in their lives."

Canine Companions is becoming well known in the Middleburg area. It's a national organization, founded in 1975, and is now the country's largest non-profit provider of assistance dogs to the disabled. Since the event last May, six additional people from Middleburg and the surrounding areas are now raising puppies for CCI, including Georgiana Watt, Michelle Zelinsky, Jennifer Frost, Julie Coles, Lisa Cohen, and Renee Priore.

Several additional area families are on the approved list, and inquiries are still being received.

For more information on becoming a puppy raiser for Canine Companions, call 1-800-572-BARK (2275).