PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Guide dogs for the blind may have been the original service animals, but these days, working dogs can do almost anything, from assisting law enforcement to providing critical aid for people with disabilities.
One South Florida man’s life was transformed by a service dog, thanks to the non-profit Canine Companions.
For Jeffrey Shaffner, a former pilot, life took a drastic turn in 1988 when a skiing accident left him a quadriplegic.
Since then, basic everyday tasks, once taken for granted, became insurmountable challenges — until service dogs entered his life.
The 20-year veteran pilot has now been paired with his fourth service dog from Canine Companions, a non-profit organization that has been training and placing service dogs for nearly 50 years.
“He’s (the dog) helping me with my independence, but also helping me transition from being an able-bodied person to a wheelchair user,” Shaffner said.
Shaffner’s current dog, Niles, is his lifeline.
Trained since puppyhood to assist with commands like fetching, opening doors, and retrieving objects, Niles gives Shaffner the independence he said he lost in his accident. The bond between the two is more than just about task assistance; it’s about companionship and teamwork.
Years of Training
Training a dog like Niles is no small feat.
According to Canine Companions, their service dogs undergo two years of rigorous training before being matched with their human partners.
“The dogs are trained for two years, and then you go and spend two weeks trying to learn everything that they already know from those two years,” said Shaffner.
Each service dog learns a minimum of 45 commands, and in Shaffner’s case, Niles acts as his hands, helping him with tasks that range from turning on lights to retrieving remote controls. “It empowers you by having these dogs,” he said.
A Special Bond
For Shaffner, the relationship with his service dogs goes beyond physical assistance.
“It may change the way people look at you,” he said. “You might have been the guy in the 8
chair before, now, you’re the guy with the dog.”
Niles is the fourth service dog Shaffner has worked with, and he’s still getting the hang of the responsibilities his new role entails.
Despite being only a puppy, Niles has already mastered several complex tasks, including helping Shaffner with balance and fetching items.
“The impact it’s had, over these 30-plus years that I have had these dogs, has just been tremendous,” he said. “I would never want to be without a dog.”
Even in his retirement, Shaffner’s previous service dog, Finley, still responds to commands. “Once a working dog, always a working dog,” Shaffner joked.
Canine Companions’ Mission
Canine Companions, established in 1975, has successfully paired nearly 8,000 dogs with people in need across the country.
Their mission is simple: provide people with disabilities the tools they need to live independently, using the help of highly trained service dogs. From guide dogs for the visually impaired to dogs trained to alert for medical conditions like seizures, Canine Companions has expanded the scope of what working dogs can do.
In addition to the work he does with Niles, Shaffner has also started his own non-profit organization called Challenge Air for Kids, where he helps disabled children and their families experience the joy of flying. His passion for helping others stems from his desire to give back after receiving so much from his service dogs.
“I flew for 20 years after I was hurt,” Shaffner said. “Anything’s possible.”
With support from organizations like Canine Companions and the work of advocates like Shaffner, service dogs continue to break down barriers and change lives across South Florida and beyond.
If you are interested in donating, volunteering, or learning more about the organization, visit Canine Companions’ website by clicking here or Shaffner’s non-profit, Challenge Air for Kids, where he continues to pay it forward by taking disabled children and their families flying.