Celebrate 50 years of independence at Independence is Golden, Canine Companions’ 50th Anniversary Gala!

Saturday, May 10th, 2025, 12pm ET

The Northeast Region Miller Family Campus

286 Middle Island Road, Medford, NY 11763

Together, let’s celebrate a golden afternoon at the Canine Companions Northeast Region Miller Family Campus where we’ll be honoring the impact our expertly trained service dogs have on the lives of our clients with disabilities.

This event will feature:

• Powerful stories from clients who have found enhanced independence with the help of their expertly trained service dogs

• The chance to meet future service dogs in training

• A curated selection of exciting items in our live and silent auctions

• Great food and wine from our partner St. Francis Winery & Vineyards 

• Other fun surprises!

Bring Mom and come to Team Training graduation on Friday, May 9th, and stay for “Independence is Golden” on the afternoon of Saturday, May 10th! We look forward to celebrating with you!

Independence is Golden benefits Canine Companions and our mission to provide expertly trained service dogs at no cost to children, adults and veterans with disabilities.

About Canine Companions

Canine Companions is leading the service dog industry so our clients and their dogs can live with greater independence. We provide service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities and facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice and educational settings. Since our founding in 1975, our dogs and all follow-up services are provided at no cost to our clients. Help make this mission possible!

ENTERTAINMENT

Yvonne Dagger & Canine Companions Therapy Dog Picasso

Yvonne Dagger, a Long Island native and professional artist, first taught her Canine Companions Release Dog, Dagger II, how to paint in 2015. While in her studio one day, Dagger approached Yvonne and nudged her with his snout. Jokingly, Yvonne asked Dagger if he wanted to paint, and his tail began to wag. Within a month, Dagger learned how to paint. Dagger started creating amazing artwork and quickly assumed his role as DogVinci, raising more than $213,000 for multiple charities. Since then, Yvonne has taught her Canine Companions Therapy Dog Picasso how to paint as well! Picasso will be joining us at the gala, come watch how Picasso creates a painting from start to finish, and then you will have a chance to bid on the masterpiece created!

Morgan and Wolf – Graduate Speaker

Morgan McCarthy has grown up with Canine Companions! In 2016 the Saratoga Springs, New York resident was matched with her much loved service dog Dewey.  Dewey and Morgan were teammates in the truest sense of the word.  Dewey helped Morgan in all aspects of her daily activities, allowing her to live a truly independent life.  Morgan was matched with service dog Wolf in August after Dewey passed in 2023.  Wolf is happy to fill the shoes of her successor Dewey!  “I’ve been handed a new ‘leash’ on life—life with independence at the forefront.  Because of Canine Companions, I’m no longer sitting by a window watching the world go by around me, because I have four paws, a wet nose, lots of kisses, and a forever friend by my side for it all.”

Meet our Auctioneer, Tom Stebbins!

Tom has helped raise millions for internationally recognized non-profits all over the world including, the American Heart Foundation, the American Liver Foundation, Best Buddies, Make-A-Wish, and Teach for America.

Tom is also a sought-after speaker, advocate, and commentator who was twice named to City & State’s Law Power 100. Tom has been published or quoted in over one hundred media outlets, including The New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Fox News, NBC, and NPR.

Tom has an MBA from Cornell University and a BA from Vassar College. Tom lives with his wife and two children in Upstate New York.