Baylor Scott & White Partners with Canine Companions for Independence

Baylor Scott & White, the largest health care system in Texas, is partnering with Canine Companions for Independence, a premier animal assistance provider, to bring the program to life.

 

By understanding the value of service animals in health care and the power of long-term therapies, Baylor Scott & White Health is opening the Kinkeade Center, on Nov. 9, in Irving. The center will provide children, veterans and other individuals with physical and developmental disabilities, highly trained assistance dogs and will give them the long-term care they need.

The partnership with Canine Companions allows people with disabilities, including wounded veterans, to receive a service dog in order to advance their quality of life. Service dogs typically cost on average $50,000; however, through Baylor Scott & White¹s partnership with Canine Companions for Independence and through the generous gifts of donors, patients receive the assistance animal free of charge.

Opening Veteran's Day week, the center is conveniently located near several major military bases, including Fort Hood in Killeen and Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, making it possible for recipients to stay closer to home while undergoing training.

The nine-acre campus includes training spaces, six dormitory rooms for recipients to stay during training, 24 kennels, a state-of-the art veterinary clinic and grooming area. The training center will eventually be capable of graduating approximately 60 service dog teams per year and will also host reunions and workshops for returning teams.