NOCE Dogs

Meet Lindon II – Facility Dog

Canine Companions Facility Dog | NOCE ARISE Lab

Lindon is a professionally trained Canine Companions Facility dog who works with NOCE’s ARISE program to support students in structured educational and wellness activities.

Facility dogs are specially trained to work alongside professionals in settings such as education and health care. Canine Companions facility dogs learn specialized skills that can be incorporated into activities to encourage participation, facilitate social interaction, and help reduce anxiety.

You may meet Lindon while visiting or participating in activities through the NOCE ARISE Labs.

Find Lindon:

• Anaheim Campus
• Cypress Center
• Wilshire Center

Lovable Lindon II Facts:

• Breed: Labrador Retriever
• Favorite Activity: Playing with his human siblings
• Favorite People: His students!

Meet Fanta III – Therapy Dog

Therapy Dog | NOCE Learning Center

Need a little encouragement while you’re studying? You may find Fanta waiting to say hello in the NOCE Anaheim Learning Center.

Fanta is a certified therapy dog who provides opportunities for positive interaction and connection with students and employees. Therapy dogs are specially evaluated for safe and appropriate interactions and visit approved settings to provide comfort and companionship. Unlike service or facility dogs, therapy dogs are not trained to perform specific tasks for an individual.

Students and employees are welcome to visit Fanta when she is available in the Learning Center.

Future Service Dogs at NOCE

Raising Future Service Dogs

NOCE + Canine Companions

You may occasionally spot a puppy in a yellow Canine Companions vest learning how to navigate life at NOCE. These puppies are preparing for a much bigger job.

Through volunteer puppy raising, future service dogs learn basic skills, appropriate behavior, and how to confidently experience different environments before continuing to professional training with Canine Companions. NOCE has helped raise three pups to date: Connie V (2022-2023), Fanta (2024 -present), and Sherry III (2024-2025).

NOCE’s involvement in puppy raising gives future service dogs valuable experience in a diverse educational environment while giving our campus community an opportunity to learn about service dogs, disability awareness, volunteerism, and inclusion.

From Trailblazer to Kindergarten Legend: Connie V

The pup who started it all! Connie V was the first puppy we raised at NOCE. She bounced onto the scene as a seven-month old Future Service puppy. Connie walked around the campus, stopping to “shake” with the students, staff, and faculty. She spent her days in the Learning Center, helping students regulate their emotions after coming back to school after COVID. Connie was so good at her job, she was invited to be on the VIP platform at NOCE’s graduation. After attending Advanced Training (puppy college) and completing six months of intensive professional training, Connie V officially matched with her forever person, Vanessa in May 2023 as a Facility dog. She is now working in a kindergarten classroom with students who have autism.

From Puppy to Partner: Sherry III

From Campus Pup to Certified Hero! Sherry III started coming to NOCE as a four-month old Future Service puppy. She started learning the ropes in the Learning Center, attending meetings and conferences, cheering on students, and spreading joy at Puppies for PAWSitivity events. Along the way, she worked hard, who showed up everywhere with her signature confidence and charm, and stole a whole lot of hearts. After attending Advanced training (puppy college) and completing six months of intensive professional training, Sherry officially matched with her forever person, Diana in February 2026 as a fully trained service dog.

Not All Working Dogs Have the Same Job

There is an important distinction between therapy and facility dogs: therapy dogs accompany handlers into approved settings for the benefit of others but aren’t necessarily trained in specialized tasks, while facility dogs receive extensive training and work with professional facilitators in settings including education.