A LEGACY OF SERVICE
Commissioner Kathi Cozzone tears up after service puppy named in her honor
WEST CHESTER >> Ssssh! Don’t tell County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone.
Seemingly, the only person in the room of about 60 who didn’t know the secret was Cozzone.
A traditional charity check presentation at Tuesday’s Chester County Commissioners’ public sunshine meeting included an element of surprise.
As part of the recognition of Chester County non-profit Canine Partners for Life, Commissioners Michelle Kichline and Terence Farrell presented their fellow Commissioner, Kathi Cozzone, with a service puppy named in her honor to recognize the tremendous service she has provided to the people of Chester County.
Cozzone teared up, and joked after the meeting, that she had never heard of a dog named Kathi (and spelled with an “I.”)
Commissioners’ Chair Kichline announced the news.
“Every year we set aside funds to present to worthy Chester County non-profits, both collectively as the three commissioners, and individually. One of my selected charities this year is Canine Partners for Life, a Cochranville-based organization that trains service and companion dogs for individuals with phys
ical, developmental and cognitive disabilities. The organization has placed over 700 dogs within 45 states since its inception 30 years ago.
“When I contacted the organization to confirm the $1,000 donation, I found out that with the donation came the opportunity to name a puppy that would eventually be trained for service,” Kichline said. “I have always admired Kathi’s personal commitment to service so we thought it would be fitting to give the puppy – and future service dog – the name Kathi in her honor.
“When I mentioned the idea to Terence, he was totally on board.”
Commissioner Terence Farrell added: “The foundation of Canine Partners for Life is about service, and the dogs certainly help to improve the quality of life for their owners. In her 12 years as a Commissioner, Kathi Cozzone has professionally – and personally – served our citizens by championing great causes, investing in crucial county programs, and leading many state-wide initiatives, all that improve the quality of life of everyone living and working in Chester County.
“When it comes to her namesake, Kathi the puppy has a lot to live up to,” added Farrell.
Three-month old puppy Kathi will go through two full years of training with Canine Partners for Life (CPL) to become a service or companion dog. Her first full year, led by volunteers, is focused on learning basic obedience skills and being socialized in many public environments so that she becomes familiar and comfortable with different sights, sounds and smells.
She will spend a few months in a community volunteer home and a few months in one of the prisons that participates in the Prison Puppy Raising program.
At 14 months, Kathi will return to the Canine Partners for Life kennel to learn more advanced service skills including retrieving items, opening and closing doors and paying cashiers.
Janie Cramer, Executive Director of Canine Partners for Life, thanked the Commissioners for the donation and noted the different pathways open to puppy Kathi as she goes through the two years of training.
“In her second year, we will determine whether Kathi will become a service or companion dog,” said Cramer. “All of our service dogs are placed with individuals who have physical or cognitive disabilities so in addition to the more ‘traditional’ service dog functions, we train seizure alert, cardiac alert and diabetes alert dogs.
“Our companion dogs are often placed with young children who have Down syndrome or autism, but they can also be placed with an elderly individual or as a courthouse or residential companion.
“She will change that person’s life.”
Long term diabetic John Vagner addressed Cozzone and the board with his dog “Sheeba” at his side.
“She alerts me when my blood sugar drops—she is smart, patient persistent and quiet,” he said about Sheeba. “She gives me a sense of security.”
Later, Commissioner Cozzone commented, “I am very honored and surprised – it was such a beautiful thing for Michelle and Terence to do.
“I am a dog lover, and who doesn’t love a puppy? So to have one named after me who will be of service to someone in the future is very special.”