TYSONS, Va.– PenFed Credit Union has welcomed assistance dog in training, Maverick, as part of a continuing partnership with Canine Companions for Independence. The yellow Labrador Retriever will be raised by Andrea McCarren, vice president and chief content officer for PenFed Digital. Maverick joins Admiral and Clint, Tysons-based assistance dogs in training that PenFed employees began raising last year.
“PenFed is proud to work with Canine Companions and assist veterans and others with disabilities. We are honored to support the men and women who have served our country and protected our freedoms,” said James Schenck, president and CEO of PenFed Credit Union and CEO of the PenFed Foundation. “Maverick, Admiral and Clint are part of a mission to help open doors for people with disabilities to become more independent. They also provide unconditional love, companionship, and loyalty. We are committed to this program and making it work for our employees who are donating their time to raise these dogs for a very noble cause.”
McCarren will spend the next 18 months raising Maverick as part of the PenFed family to prepare him for the next step in the program, where he will spend an additional six months with Canine Companions professional instructors learning over 40 advanced commands that are useful to a person with disabilities.
“As someone who previously raised two service dogs, I have seen firsthand the powerful impact they can have on the lives of a wounded service member or someone else with a disability,” said McCarren. “The ability to help a remarkable organization like Canine Companions while at the office is one of the many things that makes working at PenFed special.”
PenFed has donated over $100,000 to Canine Companions and is covering all costs associated with raising these dogs.
“Canine Companions is the largest provider of assistance dogs in the world and we are excited to continue this partnership with a mission-driven organization like PenFed Credit Union and its dedicated employees,” said Debra Dougherty, Canine Companions Northeast Region Executive Director. “Canine Companions is extremely grateful to PenFed and their employees for their support in raising these dogs to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities.”
Click here to watch Maverick meeting fellow PenFed assistance dogs in training Admiral and Clint during a first birthday celebration PenFed recently hosted for Admiral.