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Nonprofit · EIN 94-2494324

CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE

Tax-exempt · SANTA ROSA, CA 95407

Financials

$50.3M$36.9M2023$54.9M$40.4M2024$51.4M$48.6M2025
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
December 31, 2025990$51,415,601$48,602,224$2,813,377$231,852,125$4,898,989$226,953,136
December 31, 2024990$54,867,794$40,391,072$14,476,722$212,550,790$6,632,934$205,917,856
December 31, 2023990$50,314,259$36,899,565$13,414,694$188,712,156$5,305,268$183,406,888
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$48,377,835
of which government grants
$121,359
Program service revenue
$225,522
Investment income
$2,757,465
Royalties
$12,601
Net rental income
$20,350
Net gain from sales of assets
$495,409
Net income from fundraising events
-$87,124
Net income from sales of inventory
$16,192
Other revenue
$54,779

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$28,923
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$1,913,892
Other salaries and wages
$20,910,881
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$29,857,002
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Legal fees
$213,734
Accounting fees
$125,843
Occupancy
$2,394,615
Travel
$729,674
Depreciation
$3,479,158
Program services (functional)
$37,908,664
Management and general (functional)
$3,351,751
Fundraising (functional)
$7,341,809

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$212,550,790
Total assets, end of year
$231,852,125
Total liabilities, end of year
$4,898,989
Net assets, end of year
$226,953,136
Land, buildings and equipment
$62,030,986
Publicly traded securities
$71,373,871
Net assets without donor restrictions
$193,553,321
Net assets with donor restrictions
$33,399,815
Gross receipts
$64,314,874
Employees
450
Volunteers
6,181
Year formed
1975
State of legal domicile
CA

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
PAIGE MAZZONICHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Officer
40$414,936$66,738
DAWN GATLEYCHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER
Key employee
40$230,964$40,959
BARBARA BARROWCHIEF PHILANTHROPY OFFICER
Key employee
40$219,644$22,227
JEANINE KONOPELSKICHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
Key employee
40$201,108$39,122
MELINDA SOWERSCHIEF TRAINING & CS OFFICER
Key employee
40$199,800$27,307
BRENDA S KENNEDY DVM MSCHIEF VETERINARY & RESEARCH OFFICER
Key employee
40$200,914$25,702
JESSE MACKEYCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Officer
40$206,880$17,588
CLARK PAPPASDIRECTOR CLIENT SERVICES
Highest-paid employee
40$167,731$49,792
DEBRA MINETT-DOUGHERTYSENIOR MAJOR GIFTS OFFICER
Highest-paid employee
40$187,132$26,928
MARCIA DOWDSVICE PRESIDENT PHILANTHROPY
Highest-paid employee
40$176,571$24,889
JULIE WETHERELLDIRECTOR BREEDING PROGRAM
Highest-paid employee
40$174,627$23,219
SARAH LEEVETERINARIAN CANINE EARLY CARE
Highest-paid employee
40$159,546$24,022
JOHN SABOCHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
CATHY FISCHERVICE CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
COLLETTE BUNTONSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
19 more people on this return
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
WILLIAM WHITETREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0
ANNE GITTINGERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
BARRIE GRAHAMDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
RUSS GUREVITCH DVMDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
TANISHA HALLDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
LESLIE HENNESSYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
JOHN WM HOPENDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
CAROLYN HRACHDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
JUDGE ED KINKEADEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
CHRIS KITTREDGEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
TERESA JOHNSON RAMEYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
MICHELLE LUDWIGDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
CHRIS MATHENADIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
JOHN MILLERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
DARCY PECORARODIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
JUERGEN ROTTLERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
ROBIN SANCHEZDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
JEAN SCHULZDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
EMILY WILLIAMSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 38 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
PAIGE MAZZONICHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Officer
40$396,312$55,941
DAWN GATLEYCHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER
Key employee
40$216,459$37,497
BARBARA BARROWCHIEF PHILANTHROPY OFFICER
Key employee
40$208,041$20,409
JEANINE KONOPELSKICHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
Key employee
40$188,063$35,776
BRENDA S KENNEDY DVM MSCHIEF VETERINARY & RESEARCH OFFICER
Key employee
40$195,884$24,184
MELINDA SOWERSCHIEF TRAIN & CLIENT SRVCS OFFICER
Key employee
40$184,240$23,591
CLARK PAPPASDIRECTOR, CLIENT SERVICES
Highest-paid employee
40$160,033$46,276
DEBRA MINETT DOUGHERTYEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NORTHEAST REGION
Highest-paid employee
40$180,178$25,097
TAYLOR CHANGSENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, TECHNOLOGY
Key employee
40$168,253$22,639
PHILIP LINVETERINARY MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Highest-paid employee
40$166,503$24,147
JULIE WETHERELLDIRECTOR, BREEDING PROGRAM
Highest-paid employee
40$159,553$21,101
KEITH EDWARDSCFO THRU 5/2024
Officer
40$168,066$11,805
MICHELLE DAVISONEXEC. DIR., SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
Highest-paid employee
40$144,477$22,842
KATHRYN ROSEINTERIM CFO 5/2024-10/2024
Officer
40$47,945$0
JESSE MACKEYCFO START 10/2024
Officer
40$26,697$1,093
WILLIAM WHITECHAIR THRU 10/2024/TREAS START 10/2024
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
JOHN SABOTREAS THRU 10/2024/CHAIR START 10/2024
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
JOHN MILLERVICE CHAIR THRU 10/2024/BOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
CATHY FISCHERBOARD MEMBER/VICE CHAIR START 10/2024
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
ROBIN SANCHEZSECRETARY THRU 10/2024/BOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
COLLETTE BUNTONBOARD MEMBER/SECRETARY START 10/2024
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
ANNE GITTINGERBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
BARRIE GRAHAMBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
RUSS GUREVITCH DVMBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
TANISHA HALLBOARD MEMBER START 5/2024
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LESLIE HENNESSYBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JOHN WM HOPENBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CAROLYN HRACHBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JUDGE ED KINKEADEBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CHRIS KITTREDGEBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
TERESA JOHNSON RAMEYBOARD MEMBER START 5/2024
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ROBERT LAVIEBOARD MEMBER THRU 11/2024
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MICHELLE LUDWIGBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CHRIS MATHENABOARD MEMBER START 5/2024
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JOHN MCKINNEYBOARD MEMBER THRU 9/2024
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JUERGEN ROTTLERBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JEAN SCHULZBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
EMILY WILLIAMSBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 37 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
PAIGE MAZZONICHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Officer
40$381,956$37,870
DAWN GATLEYVP, PEOPLE
Key employee
40$204,047$30,392
KEITH EDWARDSCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Officer
40$201,461$21,917
BARBARA BARROWVP, PHILANTHROPY
Key employee
40$193,023$17,454
BRENDA S KENNEDY DVM MSVP, CANINE HEALTH & RESEARCH
Key employee
40$178,503$25,922
JEANINE KONOPELSKIVP, MARKETING AND ADVOCACY
Key employee
40$179,909$22,508
DEBRA MINETT-DOUGHERTYEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NORTHEAST REGION
Highest-paid employee
40$175,079$22,149
MELINDA SOWERSVP, CANINE TRAINING & CLIENT SERVICES
Key employee
40$162,249$20,254
CLARK PAPPASDIRECTOR, CLIENT SERVICES
Highest-paid employee
40$150,654$27,870
PHILIP LINVETERINARY MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Highest-paid employee
40$151,764$20,769
JULIE WETHERELLVETERINARIAN BREEDING PROGRAM
Highest-paid employee
40$151,104$19,540
TAYLOR CHANGVP, TECHNOLOGY
Key employee
40$151,662$9,900
MICHELLE DAVISONEXEC DIRECTOR, SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
Highest-paid employee
40$135,715$19,815
ROBERT SCHWINNLEGAL ADMINISTRATOR / CORP SECRETARY
Officer
40$80,111$15,301
WILLIAM WHITEBOARD CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
JOHN ELLIOTTBOARD VICE CHAIR THROUGH 12/2023
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
JOHN MILLERBOARD TREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
ROBIN SANCHEZBOARD SECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
WM STEVE BOYDDIRECTOR THROUGH 8/2023
Trustee or director
1$0$0
COLLETTE BUNTONDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CATHY FISCHERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ANNE GITTINGERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MEL GOTTLIEBDIRECTOR THROUGH 2/2023
Trustee or director
1$0$0
BARRIE GRAHAMDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
RUSS GUREVITCH DVMDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LESLIE HENNESSYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JOHN WM HOPENDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CAROLYN HRACHDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JUDGE ED KINKEADEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CHRIS KITTREDGEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ROBERT LAVIEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MICHELLE LUDWIGDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JOHN MCKINNEYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JUERGEN ROTTLERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JOHN SABODIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JEAN SCHULZDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
EMILY WILLIAMSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
2965 DUTTON AVE, SANTA ROSA, CA 95407-5711
In care of
% ROBERT SCHWINN
Principal officer (990 for 2025)
PAIGE MAZZONI, PO BOX 446, SANTA ROSA, CA 954020446
Signed the 990
PAIGE MAZZONI, CEO
Phone
(707) 577-1700
Return prepared by
BAKER TILLY ADVISORY GROUP LP

California records

California keeps its own records of charities and corporations. Search them by EIN 94-2494324 or by the name CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE.

Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers
Registration status and filed reports (CT-TR-1, RRF-1)

Mission

CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT ENHANCES THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BY PROVIDING EXPERTLY TRAINED SERVICE DOGS AND ONGOING SUPPORT TO ENSURE QUALITY PARTNERSHIPS, AT NO COST TO CLIENTS.

990 for the year ended December 31, 2025

Program accomplishments

  • TRAINING AND CLIENT SERVICES - CANINE COMPANIONS PLACED 603 WORKING DOGS IN 2025. OUR PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTORS SPEND SIX TO NINE MONTHS TEACHING THE DOG TO MASTER MORE THAN 40 TASKS BEFORE THE DOG CAN BE MATCHED WITH AN ADULT OR CHILD WHO HAS A DISABILITY, OR A PROFESSIONAL ASSISTING PEOPLE AT RISK. WE PROVIDE SERVICE DOGS TO INDIVIDUALS WITH MORE THAN 65 TYPES OF DISABILITIES, INCLUDING A WIDE RANGE OF PHYSICAL, COGNITIVE, DEVELOPMENTAL, AND AUDITORY DISABILITIES.WE TRAIN SERVICE AND FACILITY DOGS TO BEST SERVE OUR CLIENTS. IN 2025, WE PLACED 380 SERVICE DOGS, WHICH INCLUDED 44 DOGS TRAINED TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE D/DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING TO ALERT TO SOUNDS. WE TAKE IMMENSE PRIDE IN OUR VETERANS' INITIATIVE. THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED AND SACRIFICED IN OUR MILITARY OFTEN COME BACK WITH INJURIES, SOME VISIBLE AND OTHERS NOT. IN 2025 WE PROVIDED 46 DOGS TO VETERANS INCLUDING 41 DOGS TRAINED TO PROVIDE SPECIALIZED TASKS FOR VETERANS WITH POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD). IN ADDITION, WE PROVIDED 72 DOGS TO PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE UTILIZING THE DOG TO MEET CLIENTS' THERAPY GOALS AND SUPPORT CLIENTS WITH DISABILITIES OR WHO ARE AT RISK. WE ALSO PROVIDED 9 AGENCY TRANSFERS AND CERTIFIED 214 THERAPY DOG PLACEMENTS. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1975, CANINE COMPANIONS HAS TRAINED AND PLACED 8,543 SERVICE DOGS AND CURRENTLY HAS OVER 2,832 ACTIVE GRADUATES. OUR GRADUATES REPORTED POSITIVE INCREASES IN SEVERAL ASPECTS OF LIFE SATISFACTION AND MENTAL HEALTH, AFTER RECEIVING A DOG, INCLUDING: HAPPINESS SCORES +1.3 POINTS, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT +1.4 POINTS, SENSE OF CONNECTION +1.5 POINTS, AND LIFE SATISFACTION +1.2 POINTS. A HALLMARK OF THE CANINE COMPANIONS PROGRAM IS THE LIFETIME SUPPORT OF OUR DOGS. 96% OF OUR CLIENTS REPORT THAT THEY ARE RECEIVING THE SUPPORT THEY NEED FROM OUR ORGANIZATION. DURING 2025, CANINE COMPANIONS STAFF PERFORMED 1,560 IN-PERSON FOLLOW-UP VISITS TO OUR SERVICE AND FACILITY DOG CLIENTS.
    Expenses $18,426,142 · revenue $225,522
  • BREEDING AND PUPPY RAISING / VETERINARY - OVER THE PAST 50 YEARS, WE HAVE DEVELOPED A PROVEN FORMULA FOR BREEDING, RAISING, AND TRAINING SERVICE DOGS. WE BREED LABRADOR RETRIEVERS, GOLDEN RETRIEVERS, AND CROSSES OF THE TWO TO BE SERVICE DOGS. VOLUNTEER BREEDER CARETAKERS CARE FOR OUR BREEDER DOGS AND NURTURE NEWBORN PUPPIES FOR EIGHT WEEKS. VOLUNTEER PUPPY RAISERS THEN RAISE THE DOGS UNTIL THEY ARE 16-18 MONTHS OF AGE, TEACHING THEM THEIR FIRST TWENTY TASKS. AT THE END OF 2025, WE HAD 1,256 ACTIVE, VOLUNTEER PUPPY RAISERS AND 1,104 ACTIVE PUPPIES. OUR TEAM OF VETERINARY AND CANINE EARLY CARE STAFF SUPPORT THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF OUR BREEDER DOGS AND THE LITTERS THEY WHELP (960 LIVE PUPPIES IN 2025). CANINE COMPANIONS VETERINARIANS ALSO PROVIDE CONSULTATION SUPPORT TO OUR PUPPY RAISERS AND GRADUATES WITH CANINE HEALTH QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS. WE ARE INVOLVED IN NUMEROUS RESEARCH PROJECTS WITH LEADING UNIVERSITY AND INDUSTRY RESEARCH GROUPS.
    Expenses $11,332,052 · grants $28,923
  • PUBLIC INFORMATION AND LOCAL PRESENCE - WE PROACTIVELY PROVIDE EDUCATION REGARDING SERVICE DOGS, DISABILITY AND SERVICE DOG ETIQUETTE, AND THE CHALLENGES FACED BY SERVICE DOG HANDLERS IN PUBLIC PLACES. OUR EFFORTS HAVE PRODUCED MANY ARTICLES IN NATIONAL AND LOCAL NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES, NEWSLETTERS, AND ONLINE. WE HAVE WORKED WITH NATIONAL AND LOCAL WEB, RADIO, AND TELEVISION BROADCASTS TO BRING AWARENESS OF OUR PROGRAM, WITH A REACH OF OVER 13 BILLION. TO KEEP SUPPORTERS INFORMED OF NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND LOCAL ACTIVITIES, WE DISTRIBUTE A TRI-ANNUAL PRINT NEWSLETTER, MONTHLY ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS AND DIRECT MAIL PACKAGES THAT EDUCATE THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND PROVIDE PROGRAM UPDATES. ADDITIONALLY, CANINE COMPANIONS HAS PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS AVAILABLE FOR BROADCAST AND RADIO MEDIA OUTLETS AND MAINTAINS AND REGULARLY UPDATES ACCOUNTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA INCLUDING FACEBOOK, X, LINKEDIN, INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, AND YOUTUBE.
    Expenses $8,150,470 · revenue $16,192

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025December 31, 2025May 15, 2026990 on file
2024December 31, 2024May 15, 2025990 on file
2023December 31, 2023May 15, 2024990 on file

IRS record

EIN
94-2494324
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
1979
Accounting year ends
December
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Category (NTEE)
Human services (P8XZ)
Assets (IRS master file)
$231,852,125
Income (IRS master file)
$64,314,874

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990December 2025$51,415,601$48,602,224$231,852,125XML
990December 2024$54,867,794$40,391,072$212,550,790XML
990December 2023$50,314,259$36,899,565$188,712,156XML
990December 2022$45,778,486$33,715,274$163,889,689IRS
990December 2021–––IRS
990December 2020–––IRS
990December 2019–––IRS
990December 2018–––IRS

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 94-2494324).

Questions about CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE

What is the EIN of CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE?
The employer identification number (EIN) of CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE is 94-2494324.
Is CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1979.
Are donations to CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE due?
The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
Who is the principal officer of CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names PAIGE MAZZONI.
Who are the officers and directors of CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 34 people; 12 received compensation from the organization, the highest $414,936 (PAIGE MAZZONI, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER).
How much revenue does CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE have?
On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $51,415,601, expenses of $48,602,224 and total assets of $231,852,125 at year end.

Other nonprofits in SANTA ROSA

All nonprofits in SANTA ROSA · California · Human services