Unfortunately for many, life’s difficulties, personal tragedies, and the ravages of illness and age do not always allow the luxury of enjoying the close-proximity of the human-pet bonding relationship. Dog owners who are handicapped, become physically incapable of caring for their pet in their own home are not able to enjoy the close bond relationship with their beloved dog.
People in rehabilitation centers, independent or assisted living facilities that don’t allow dogs-in-residence or those facing end-of-life situations, have the challenge of finding a comfortable, safe and loving home for their pet. Without a family member or friend to house the pet dog, it is extremely difficult or impossible to provide a loving and caring home that will not only shelter the dog but also to maintain the strong bond between the owner and their pet.
With this in mind, CBF seeks to keep vulnerable dogs together with their families by establishing Canine Residences in Supporting People (CRiSP).
This initiative will award grants to canine rescue and other nonprofit animal welfare organizations who would identify qualified households and facilitate the rehoming of dogs for those physically unable to care for their pet. Rather than being abandoned or forced to live in an animal shelter, this program will provide a permanent loving home for the dog, including regular visits with the owner.
This will allow those who are unable to maintain a secure home for their dog, for other than financial reasons, to preserve the continuity of a lifelong bond through regular visits from new rehoming providers who will care for the dogs in their own homes.
Dogs are extremely valuable companions to their owners. CRiSP grants will serve as a preferable lifestyle to maintain what would otherwise be impossible between the owner and their beloved pet.
The CRiSP grant program gives dog owners total comfort knowing that their beloved pet and lifelong friend will be well provided throughout the remainder of its life. Keeping dogs out of shelters not only saves the life of the dog but also brings huge relief to the owners who can still visit with their beloved canine companions.
CRiSP grants will be available to support rehoming programs that accommodate Living Owners with physical disabilities who are incapable of caring for their pet dog who seek to maintain their lifelong bond through regular visitations; and those preparing for end-of-life who are looking to establish a legacy Memorial.
A legal agreement will be required to accommodate and protect the interests of all parties. This will be prepared by the CBF specifying the responsibilities of all parties including dog owner guarantees and representations as well as a mutual disengagement agreement should the situation change significantly with either party.
The Caplan Bensley Foundation is seeking to recruit an experienced Chief Executive Officer to develop, promote and grow the new CRiSP grant initiative as well as to administer the existing Jazzy’s Place grant program.
In addition to overall management, the CEO will be responsible for fundraising, donor solicitation and event planning, as well as awarding grants to nonprofit animal welfare organizations who meet the program requirements.
The CEO will be interfacing with estate attorneys and financial planners of potential dog-owner contributors who are preparing their clients’ estate plans. The CEO will also interact with those participating in the Memorial program to ensure the owner’s desires are fulfilled after their demise.
Dog owners who wish to participate in this program will be required to submit information to both the sponsoring animal welfare organization and the CBF regarding their physical incapacitation along with supporting information on their financial status to determine and justify their eligibility.
The Caplan Bensley Foundation welcomes any contributions, funded endowments, bequests or pledges from client dog-owners in their estate plans. Upon the demise of the pet-owner, the CBF would appreciate a memorial remembrance endowment, bequest or pledge from those capable.
CBF founders David Reid and Maria Bensley Caplan, are funding the Jazzy’s Place grant program, and will sponsor all fundraising expenses for the new CRiSP grant initiative. The Caplans will also make available Millbrook-Estate as the operational and fundraising headquarters for CRiSP.
Donors can have complete confidence knowing that all contributions will be dedicated to fulfilling the charitable benefits of the CRiSP program and not used for fundraising.
The CBF is considering the establishment of a prototype CRiSP program in Dutchess County
with Millbrook-Estate as its headquarters. This model could subsequently be implemented in
the surrounding counties of New York State and eventually the entire United States.
It is the hope of the Caplan-Bensley Foundation that the success of this program will encourage other families to rehome and enjoy these lovable pet dogs by welcoming them into their homes.
In doing so, many dogs would be saved from being placed in animal shelters and spared from otherwise unfortunate and unmentionable consequences.
Instead, these wonderful dogs would live out their lives in a beautiful and loving home environment