Newswise — On November 9, Canine Companions for Independence at Baylor Scott & White Health – Kinkeade Campus opened as the first assistance dog training center campus in the nation connected to a health care system. The campus will provide highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support cost-free to individuals with physical and developmental disabilities who qualify through the application process.
The new campus will serve children, veterans and other people with disabilities whose independence and quality of life would benefit from an assistance dog. Professionals working for organizations that provide physical or mental health care to clients who would benefit from interaction with a facility dog are also encouraged to apply. The new campus will eventually be able to graduate up to 60 dog and recipient teams per year.
"We have a long history of innovation and collaboration, and we are proud to add this moment to that history," said Joel Allison, CEO, Baylor Scott & White Health. "We are now the first health care system in the country to open a facility like Kinkeade Campus. This is another example of how we're working to take care of the total patient – it's part of our Population Health mission."
The nine-acre campus includes indoor and outdoor training areas, dormitory rooms, kennels, a veterinary clinic and a grooming area. Project management was led by CBRE. The center was designed by t. howard + associates architects, a Dallas-based firm specializing in health care and educational environments. Outside consultation was provided by Animal Arts Design. Initial construction began in November 2014, and MEDCO Construction served as the construction general contractor for this project.
The Kinkeade Campus will train three types of assistance dogs:
• Service dogs assist adults with physical disabilities by performing daily tasks.
• Skilled companions enhance independence for children and adults with physical, cognitive and developmental disabilities.
• Facility dogs work with a professional in a visitation, education, criminal justice or healthcare setting.
"As the first collaboration nationwide between an assistance dog organization and a health care provider, our affiliation with Baylor Scott & White Health marks the commencement of a truly innovative and groundbreaking program," said Paul Mundell, CEO of Canine Companions for Independence. "For more than 40 years, our organization has stood on the forefront of the assistance dog service sector and we are proud to open our sixth center in the nation through this alliance."
For more information and to support the center, visit baylordogs.org or text BAYLORDOGS to 313131.
About Canine Companions for IndependenceCanine Companions for Independence provides highly trained assistance dogs to children and adults with disabilities. Established in 1975, Canine Companions has training centers across the country, including Texas, California, Florida, Ohio, and New York. Canine Companions is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs, and the quality and longevity of the matches it makes between dogs and people. There is no charge for the dog, its training and ongoing follow-up services. For more information, call 1-800-572-BARK or visit www.cci.org.
About Baylor Scott & White HealthBaylor Scott & White Health, the organization formed from the 2013 merger between Baylor Health Care System and Scott & White Healthcare, is today the largest not-for-profit health care system in the state of Texas. With total assets of $9 billion* and serving a population larger than the state of Virginia, Baylor Scott & White Health has the vision and resources to provide its patients continued quality care while creating a model system for a dramatically changing health care environment. The organization now includes 49 hospitals, more than 800 access points, more than 5,800 active physicians, 35,000 employees and the Scott & White Health Plan. For more information visit: BaylorScottandWhite.com
* based on unaudited 2014 fiscal year statements
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