PenFed Welcomes Fourth Assistance Dog in Training in Continuing Partnership with Canine Companions for Independence

PAPILLION, Neb., August 13, 2019 – PenFed Credit Union, the nation’s second-largest federal credit union, has welcomed its fourth assistance dog in training, Mission, as part of a continuing partnership with Canine Companions for Independence®.

The yellow Labrador Retriever will be raised by Cindy Luckey, a mortgage operations manager, for 18 months as part of the PenFed family to prepare her for the next step in the program, where she will spend an additional six months with Canine Companions professional instructors learning over 40 professional commands that are useful to a person with disabilities.

“PenFed is proud to continue our partnership with a mission-driven organization like Canine Companions and we thank them for their commitment to providing independence for wounded veterans and others with disabilities,” said James Schenck, president and CEO of PenFed Credit Union and CEO of the PenFed Foundation. 

In addition to welcoming Mission in the workspace, PenFed has donated over $100,000 to Canine Companions and is covering all costs associated with raising the new puppy. Mission joins Maverick, Admiral and Clint, three additional assistance dogs in training that PenFed employees are raising.

“I am thrilled to welcome Mission and know she will have a powerful impact in the life of a veteran or someone else with a disability,” said Luckey. “Credit unions are about ‘People Helping People’ and having the opportunity to partner with a wonderful organization like Canine Companions for Independence is a clear reflection of that ethos.”

For the last 44 years, Canine Companions has been committed to providing four different types of highly trained assistance dogs to those in need at no cost. Service dogs assist adults with physical disabilities by performing daily tasks. Hearing dogs alert their partners, who have a hearing disability, to important sounds. Facility dogs work with clients with special needs in a visitation, education, criminal justice or health care setting. Skilled companions enhance independence for children and adults with physical, cognitive and developmental disabilities.

About PenFed Credit Union

Established in 1935, Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) is America’s second-largest federal credit union, serving 1.7 million members worldwide with $25 billion in assets. PenFed Credit Union offers market-leading certificates, checking, credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and a wide range of other financial services with members’ interests always in mind. PenFed Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA and is an Equal Housing Lender. To learn more about PenFed Credit Union, visit PenFed.org, like us on Facebook and follow us @PenFed on Twitter. Interested in working for PenFed? Check us out on LinkedIn. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

About Canine Companions for Independence®
Canine Companions for Independence® provides expertly trained assistance dogs to children, adults and veterans with disabilities. Established in 1975 in California, Canine Companions is the largest non-profit provider of assistance dogs in the United States. Canine Companions is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs, and the quality and longevity of the matches it makes between people and dogs. There is no charge for the dog, its training and on-going follow-up services. For more information, visit www.cci.org or call 1-800-572-BARK.