My name is Gael Yonnet. I am paraplegic since a snowboarding accident that occured on March 4th 2006. I am alsoa doctor in neurorehabilitation and work with patients with a great variety of disabilities. I strive always to challenge myself physically to show people what is possible from a wheelchair and encouragemy patientsto always keep pushing forward.
Two years ago, a company called Canine Companions for Independence partnered me with Elon, a yellow Lab retriever service dog. Elon has changed my life for the better. Elon helps me lead an active life and gives hope and joy not only to me, butto my patients as well. He was myconstant shadow in all of my adventuresuntil yesterday. People referred tous as a team:Gael and Elon. All my christmas cards have Elon and I on it, we are family. He is all the family I have. People never thought of me as being my myself, they know we are inseparable partners.
On January 29, 2011however, representatives from Canine Companions took Elon away me. They said my workplace and active lifestyle are a threat to his safety. They based this judgment on the fact that I keep him off leash at work in my office and while visiting patients in their hospital rooms so he could get on their bed when they so wish while I am visting and examining them. And also based on the fact that Elon has been off leash while I was training to climb a mountain called Hidden Peak on a handcycle. I could not hold the leash while biking and couldn't leave Elon by himself in the car. On October 2nd 2010 after 7 hours of pure effort,Elon and Ireached the summit at 11,000 ft. We are always together. Yesterday, CCI they took him from me andflew him to California to put him in a kennel and told me that he would learn to live without me, would be loved there and would be just fine. How can he possibly receive more love there than he had with me while sleepingin a cage with a cement floor?How can he be doing fine when ripped away from his master and best friend?
Canine Companions says they want people to live “Life Unleashed”, but they took away the partner who lets me do that. They’d rather see Elon cagedup instead of living an active life with me.
I know Elon wants to come home, and I need him back. Canine Companions won’t give us that chance without your help.
I understand Canine Companions' concern andagree tohave Elon leashed up in my office and in the mountains if that is what it takes to get him back home.
Please browse pictures of Elon and me on my facebook page to see how happy we were. (see link below)
Please sign this petition and help Elon and me get reunited.
PLEASE, CANINE COMPANIONS, LET ELON COME BACK HOME TO ME WHERE HE BELONGS!
Updates
February 10, 2011
I am looking at the number 5,000 on the screen and I truly cannot believe it. This happened because you decided that Elon belongs with me. None of this is my doing because you are the ones who turned this into a real movement.
Reached 5,000 supporters
February 9, 2011
Reached 1,000 supporters
February 3, 2011
Reached 100 supporters
January 31, 2011
8 Comments
bring elon home
This is just cruel. Dogs are family not tools you can just take back when you feel like it.
ELON NEEDS TO BE WITH GAEL. THEY ARE A TEAM.
He literally does life-changing work with patients and this is how they thank him? Give the dog back.
Poor guy. Hes doing so much good work and they take away his best friend for no reason.
Please give him Elon Back
11 years ago I was Life Flighted to LDS Hospital due to Samonilla Poisoning. After a 6 week coma & another 6 weeks of P.T. I went home. I lost 3' of intestines, had gange green on all of my toes, & I lost all but15-20% of my hearing. 18 months ago My sweet Daughter bought me a Morkie Puppy! I am allergic to fur & MORKIES have hair! & (she) has GREAT hearing! She is my Companion, Physical Therapist, "Ears" & 2nd best friend (my Husband is #1). My heart breaks for this man who lost his "Best Friend"! It sounds like there was NO warning! If this organization has any "Canine" heart they will reunite this man & his Dog! Until you have a situation like he had, you can not imagine the degree of Love & Hope this Companion gave him! You can see in his face the Joy & Love they share! DO THE Humane thing!!!!!
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My name is Gael Yonnet. I am paraplegic since a snowboarding accident that occured on March 4th 2006. I am alsoa doctor in neurorehabilitation and work with patients with a great variety of disabilities. I strive always to challenge myself physically to show people what is possible from a wheelchair and encouragemy patientsto always keep pushing forward.
Two years ago, a company called Canine Companions for Independence partnered me with Elon, a yellow Lab retriever service dog. Elon has changed my life for the better. Elon helps me lead an active life and gives hope and joy not only to me, butto my patients as well. He was myconstant shadow in all of my adventuresuntil yesterday. People referred tous as a team:Gael and Elon. All my christmas cards have Elon and I on it, we are family. He is all the family I have. People never thought of me as being my myself, they know we are inseparable partners.
On January 29, 2011however, representatives from Canine Companions took Elon away me. They said my workplace and active lifestyle are a threat to his safety. They based this judgment on the fact that I keep him off leash at work in my office and while visiting patients in their hospital rooms so he could get on their bed when they so wish while I am visting and examining them. And also based on the fact that Elon has been off leash while I was training to climb a mountain called Hidden Peak on a handcycle. I could not hold the leash while biking and couldn't leave Elon by himself in the car. On October 2nd 2010 after 7 hours of pure effort,Elon and Ireached the summit at 11,000 ft. We are always together. Yesterday, CCI they took him from me andflew him to California to put him in a kennel and told me that he would learn to live without me, would be loved there and would be just fine. How can he possibly receive more love there than he had with me while sleepingin a cage with a cement floor?How can he be doing fine when ripped away from his master and best friend?
Canine Companions says they want people to live “Life Unleashed”, but they took away the partner who lets me do that. They’d rather see Elon cagedup instead of living an active life with me.
I know Elon wants to come home, and I need him back. Canine Companions won’t give us that chance without your help.
I understand Canine Companions' concern andagree tohave Elon leashed up in my office and in the mountains if that is what it takes to get him back home.
Please browse pictures of Elon and me on my facebook page to see how happy we were. (see link below)
Please sign this petition and help Elon and me get reunited.
PLEASE, CANINE COMPANIONS, LET ELON COME BACK HOME TO ME WHERE HE BELONGS!
Updates
February 10, 2011
I am looking at the number 5,000 on the screen and I truly cannot believe it. This happened because you decided that Elon belongs with me. None of this is my doing because you are the ones who turned this into a real movement.
Reached 5,000 supporters
February 9, 2011
Reached 1,000 supporters
February 3, 2011
Reached 100 supporters
January 31, 2011
8 Comments
Unbelievable. Let the dog go back home.
bring elon home
This is just cruel. Dogs are family not tools you can just take back when you feel like it.
ELON NEEDS TO BE WITH GAEL. THEY ARE A TEAM.
He literally does life-changing work with patients and this is how they thank him? Give the dog back.
Poor guy. Hes doing so much good work and they take away his best friend for no reason.
Please give him Elon Back
11 years ago I was Life Flighted to LDS Hospital due to Samonilla Poisoning. After a 6 week coma & another 6 weeks of P.T. I went home. I lost 3' of intestines, had gange green on all of my toes, & I lost all but15-20% of my hearing. 18 months ago My sweet Daughter bought me a Morkie Puppy! I am allergic to fur & MORKIES have hair! & (she) has GREAT hearing! She is my Companion, Physical Therapist, "Ears" & 2nd best friend (my Husband is #1). My heart breaks for this man who lost his "Best Friend"! It sounds like there was NO warning! If this organization has any "Canine" heart they will reunite this man & his Dog! Until you have a situation like he had, you can not imagine the degree of Love & Hope this Companion gave him! You can see in his face the Joy & Love they share! DO THE Humane thing!!!!!
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Unbelievable. Let the dog go back home.