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Cancer survivor receives second service dog

Daniel Swanson, an 18-year-old Spokane, Wash., resident and service dog recipient, talks with a member of the local media about how important receiving his new service dog from Canine Assistants is to him during an event in the commissary at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., April 27, 2012. Canine Assistants, a non-profit organization sponsored by Milk-Bone, a Del Monte subsidiary, and the Defense Commissary Agency along with many other agencies and corporations, has been supporting those in need for more than 12 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton/Released)

Cancer survivor receives second service dog

Lori Swanson, mother of Daniel Swanson, an 18-year-old Spokane, Wash., resident and service dog recipient, talks with members of the local media about how important receiving the service dog from Canine Assistants is to her family during an event in the commissary at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., April 27, 2012. Canine Assistants, a non-profit organization sponsored by Milk-Bone, a Del Monte subsidiary, and the Defense Commissary Agency along with many other agencies and corporations, has been supporting those in need for more than 12 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton/Released)

Cancer survivor receives second service dog

Daniel Swanson, an 18-year-old Spokane, Wash., resident and service dog recipient, describes how important receiving his new service dog from Canine Assistants is to him during an event in the commissary at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., April 27, 2012. Canine Assistants, a non-profit organization sponsored by Milk-Bone, a Del Monte subsidiary, and the Defense Commissary Agency along with many other agencies and corporations, has been supporting those in need for more than 12 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton/Released)

Cancer survivor receives second service dog

Published April 30, 2012
By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- A Team Fairchild community member received his second service dog from Canine Assistants during an event at the base commissary here April 27.

Daniel Swanson, an 18-year-old Spokane, Wash., resident, was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was 7 years old. Since then, he's struggled with reduced stamina, limited mobility, muscular weakness, both speech and vision impairments, balance issues and heightened emotions.

"Having a service dog has changed my life," Swanson said. "As a cancer survivor, my last dog helped me relearn how to walk and they're always there when you need a friend."

Canine Assistants, a non-profit organization sponsored by Milk-Bone, a Del Monte subsidiary, and the Defense Commissary Agency along with many other agencies and corporations, has been supporting those in need for more than 12 years.

"We're working to help raise awareness for Canine Assistants," said Mike Pierson, the Milk-Bone region sales manager. "There's a lot of need within the military community as well as the civilian community, but not enough people in need know the program even exists. And we're here to change that."

Fairchild is no stranger to the Canine Assistants program and according to DeCA's store director here, Eric Quantock, they couldn't be happier to support.

"It's pretty neat to be able to give two service dogs away in the last two years," he said. "We're really proud to be able to sponsor this event."

The boy's new dog, Sprock, is three-quarters golden retriever and one-quarter poodle. With a wag, the dog kept a watchful eye on his new master during the event.

"He really improves my quality of life," Swanson said. "A recipients dog makes their disabilities [seem like they] disappear. Just because you have a disability doesn't mean your life is over."

For more information on how Canine Assistants can make a difference or learn how to apply, visit their website at: www.canineassistants.com.