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Exceptional Dogs for

Exceptional People^®

Kerry is currently raising her fifth puppy and has served on the Valley of the Sun Board for the past three years and Golf Committee for the past four years. Kerry is self-employed for the past eight years and has worked with non-profit organizations for the past ten.  She is committed to the growth of our Chapter, fundraising efforts and to further the mission of CCI.  Kerry was named CCI's Southwest Region Volunteer of the Year for 2009.

Linda moved to the Valley of the Sun Chapter from the Chicago area. Since moving to Arizona, she has raised four CCI puppies. Her first Arizona puppy, "Lynx", is now working as a CCI assistance dog with his disabled partner in Phoenix.  Linda and her family, "Team Helms", have participated in many of the Valley of the Sun's events for the past six years to help raise funds and to promote CCI in Arizona.  This is Linda's first year on the Valley of the Sun board.

Rita and her family have been a members of the Valley of the Sun Chapter for six years.  Her daughter, Linden, is a CCI Graduate.  Rita attended the entire two week advanced training with Linden when she received her successor dog "Tor".  Rita has attended and assisted in many of the Valley of the Sun events in the past six years. She has also recently been approved to raise her first CCI puppy!  This will be the first year Rita has been a member of the Valley of the Sun Board

Jerry and his wife Linda are currently raising their 7th CCI puppy.  Three of their puppies, Apache, Lobo and Tor have graduated as service dogs.  Jerry has been a active member of the Valley of the Sun Chapter from the start. He has served on many committee's and has been instrumental in the success of many events and fundraisers including serving on the Dog Days of Summer Golf Committee for the past 3 years.  He is pictured here with CCI Service Dog, "Tor".

Jill is raising her second CCI Puppy and is pictured here with "Meg".  Jill has worked with a number of charity organizations successfully raising thousands of dollars chairing different events. She is the Office Manager for a nonprofit organization.  This is Jill's second year as a member of the Valley of the Sun Board having served as Secretary/Treasurer for 2009.

Karen Morairty  

Karen is a CCI Graduate and received her first hearing dog, George, in 1990 at Del Mar, California.  She now has a second hearing dog, Jada III. Karen has been involved in many Chapter events since the foundation of the Valley of the Sun Chapter.  She and George were featured in the chapter's first fundraiser, the famous Diamondback Calendar. She is shown here with her current CCI Service dog, Jada. Karen and Jada are the first graduate team to join the Valley of the Sun Board.

Mary Thompson

Mary and her family relocated to Phoenix from San Francisco in August 2005.  She raised her first CCI puppy in Northern California.  Since arriving in Arizona, Mary has been very active in many Valley of the Sun events as well as serving as Silent Auction Chair for the 2009 Dog Days of Summer Golf Classic.  Mary and daughter Shelby have raised three puppies for CCI and is shown here with current CCI puppy in training, "Embee"

Martha Amin

Martha Amin has been a big supporter of CCI for a number of years.  She is the region sales rep for Eukanuba Dog Food and the Iams Corporation. She has been instrumental in all donations to CCI Southwest golf tournaments from the Iams and Eukanuba brands. Martha also served on the 2009 Dog Days of Summer Golf Classic tournament committee.  This is Martha's first year serving on the Valley of the Sun Board.

Michaele has been a supporter of the local chapter for several years. She has served on the board as well as a golf tournament committee member. She has assisted in raising three CCI puppies.  Michaele is the chapter IT/AV go to person and has worked at most Valley of the Sun events. She is actively involved in puppy raiser recruitment. She is shown here with "Blythe".

Linda is a charter member of the Valley of the Sun Chapter, currently raising her seventh CCI puppy with husband Jerry.  She has been a constant participant in most of the Chapter events. Linda works for the Kyrene  school district and brings her puppies to work with her where they spread good will and community awareness for CCI.  She is shown here with her recent graduate puppy "Tor", who is a service dog to local CCI graduate, Linden Aitken.  This is Linda's first year on the Valley of the Sun board.

Before moving to Arizona, Rhonda was a professional trainer for CCI at the Oceanside campus for 7 years.  She  re-located to the Phoenix area and is very involved in the training of our local puppies and raisers. She brings actual CCI training experience to our puppies and raisers. She is shown here with CCI puppy "Jeeves". Rhonda is a charter member of the group.

Stephanie is a first-time puppy raiser for CCI raising 8 month-old "Nanna". Watching how CCI service dog Elam provided loving companionship and independence for her friend, the late Jim Brahaney, inspired her to become a puppy raiser. Stephanie has lived in the Valley for 18+ years and is a management consultant for Arizona nonprofit organizations.  She has curtailed her love of international travel to stay home with her CCI puppy this year.

Cheryl Is currently raising her second puppy, Aqua, for CCI.  She became involved with CCI as a puppy raiser in 2007 after retiring,  and has since been enthusiastic about recruiting other puppy raisers. She served on the 20009 Golf Committee, and is looking forward to sharing her love for CCI’s mission while working to enhance our local newsletter.

Pat is raising her sixth CCI puppy,  Her first CCI puppy, "Raymond", graduated in February of 2003 and is now working with his partner in the San Diego area. She is shown here with her second CCI puppy "Bear" who graduated as a Skilled Companion in August of 2005. Pat is also a charter member of the group and was named CCI's Southwest Region volunteer of the year for 2005.  She is the Golf Tournament Director for CCI Southwest Golf