It was just months ago that Texas’ only Canine Companions for Independence officially opened on the Baylor, Scott and White Health campus in Irving. Today was graduation day, with 10 teams of dogs and humans officially starting their lives together. It was also a day when 17 new Labrador and Golden Retriever recruits were being turned over by their puppy-raisers to be trained for their careers as service dogs.
However, a surprise reveal took place among all the wagging tails and smiles. It was the beautiful outdoor water feature at the entrance of the brilliantly designed complex. Thanks to a $125,000 donation by Lee Ann and Alan White and PlainsCapital, the natural-looking pond with fountain was made paws-ible.
Just before the graduation and turnover took place, PlainsCapital’s Diane Howard and puppy-raiser Dawn Thompson checked out the pool. New recruit Freckles resisted the temptation to do what comes natural for a Lab.