Lance Weir - Canine Companions

Born on September 25, 1971, Lance Weir was raised in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, on his grandparents' 100 acre farm. From a young age, he played little league baseball. Before his senior year in high school, he began coaching little league. At Walnut Ridge High School, Lance was a three year letterman in football, basketball, track and tennis. After graduation, Lance joined the United States Marine Corps Reserves, where he completed Marine Combat Training and Military Police Training. Lance then worked for the Arkansas Department of Corrections as a Drill Instructor at the Boot Camp Program for first time offenders. On August 8, 1993 he suffered an accident which resulted in quadriplegia at the C5-6 level. After eight months of rehabilitation, he was finally able to go home. Lance was 21 years old.It took Lance a while to come to terms with his accident. In the three years that followed, he was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps. Eventually, he realized he had no right to feel sorry for himself. Back in Arkansas, Lance got his AA from Black River Technical College, where he was Student Body President. He went on to get his BS in Psychology from Williams Baptist College. In 2005, Lance received the Arkansas Ability Award.After receiving his first Assistance Dog, Satine from Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) in Oceanside, California, Lance was offered a job with CCI. Lance currently resides in Carlsbad, CA. with his second Assistance Dog Auggie. Hes on CCIs Board of Directors and acts as CCI's liaison to Camp Pendleton's Wounded Warrior Battalion and Naval Medical Center, San Diego.

paraplegic