Oceanside’s Fiedler champions canines

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The weather was for the dogs, but the Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) Dog Fest rocked on. Oceanside native and former NFL player Jay Fiedler was a special guest at the Oct. 11 event, billed as the Rock ‘n Walk, at Marjorie Post Park in Massapequa.

CCI provides assistance dogs to people in need at no cost. Founded in 1975, Canine Companions for Independence provides highly-trained assistance dogs to children and adults with disabilities.

A few hundred people attended the organization’s signature event, including the “Wiseman” of “The Wiseman and Frank” fame from B103.

“It’s a great way to give back,” said Linda Herskowitz, a volunteer puppy raiser for CCI. Volunteer puppy raisers receive a two-month-old dog to socialize it and teach it basic commands. About a year later, that puppy is sent to a training facility to become an assistance dog.

“Canine companions gave me the gift,” Annemarie Snow-Matera said of her CCI-provided service dog, Domino III.

Fiedler said he was introduced to CCI about a year ago. He visited their training facility in Medford. “The amount of time, energy and money that goes into puppies to assist people, and their type of assistance that they get out of it,” he said. “It’s just tremendous. It is my pleasure to support the organization.”