DENVER -- April 24, 2009

A few weeks ago I got to do something really cool. I attended the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass Village with puppy raiser Pat Bird. Pat attends every year so she can talk to the veterans about CCI dogs. This year Pat invited me to go along with her because her current puppy Hyde was too little. Hyde had a fabulous time at my house and was spoiled outrageously by my co-workers at 7News who declared him the "cutest puppy EVER." Huh -- I remember when I held that title. Such fickle, fickle people.

Anyhow, this was the 23rd time this event has been held, and this year there were over 400 participants. The clinic is sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Disabled American Veterans for veterans with disabilities including spinal cord injuries, amputations, visual impairment and brain injuries. The veterans learn adaptive skiing and also get to try other adaptive sports including scuba diving, sled hockey, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, rock climbing, trap shooting, fencing and golf. There are Snow Cat & Gondola Rides, a trip to the Hot Springs and workshops on all kinds of topics.

That's where Pat and I come in. We did an evening presentation on CCI with some friends. Pat talked about puppy raising and how CCI dogs go from 8-week old balls of fluff to working dogs. Her friend Buddy Hayes is a veteran and graduated with CCI dog Ellie a few years ago. Buddy told the veterans all about Ellie and all the cool things she does to help Buddy be independent. Alan Mackey and his guide dog Abbott talked about their experiences, and another CCI puppy raiser, JoAnn Niebur, described CCI's Hearing Dog program. The audience was very interested and asked lots of great questions. Pat said one veteran was so inspired that he opened his laptop and filled out the online CCI application during the presentation!

During the day Pat and I watched some of the activities. There are more than 200 certified ski instructors for the disabled, including several current and former members of the U.S. Disabled Ski Team who volunteer as ski instructors. There was even a race training and development program to help veterans develop their skiing abilities to an elite level, with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the U.S. Paralympic Team. The vets are amazing as they learn how to use the adaptive equipment and are soon flying down the mountain on different types of skis, many of them for the very first time. I wanted to try out the monoski, but Pat said no. Darn.

We went to the large dining area each night just to visit with the vets and their families and answer questions about CCI. Pat told Marianne that she let me "Get all the hugs, kisses and 'wonderful handsome dog' comments he could handle." Needless to say, that was my favorite part!

The week flew by and was over too soon. Next year Hyde will be old enough to go with Pat and I'll be at CCI College. Maybe, just maybe, I'll graduate with a veteran! How cool would that be?

Click here for more information. Be sure to click on "Ski Gram" to read articles about each day's activities. Check out the photos, too!

Chow for now! Ross

Questions or comments for Ross? Send him an e-mail!

Would you like more information about Canine Companions for Independence or perhaps be a puppy raiser? Call 1-800-572-BARK or go to CCI for details.