Citizen of the Week--Doug Levy

By Amanda Rittenhouse, Staff Writer

07/08/2008

Doug Levy, 53, raced over 3,000 miles cross country in The Race Across America to raise awareness about an organization Levy holds close to his heart titled Canine Companions for Independence.

The 3,014-mile race started in Oceanside, Calif., on June 8 and ended in Annapolis, Md., 11 days later.
Canine Companions for Independence is an organization that trains and places service dogs with individuals with special needs.
Since 1990 Levy has raised 13 Labrador and Golden retriever puppies for Canine Companions for Independence and is currently raising his 14th dog, Richie. Levy takes the dogs out to malls, restaurants and other public places and prepares them to become service dogs.
      "Each puppy we raise we have on average for about 16 months and we teach them basic commands and social skills," Levy said.
      After attending a seminar on service dogs Levy was inspired to learn more about Canine Companions and traveled to the organization's regional center in Farmingdale, N.Y. Levy said he was inspired to get involved when he saw the things dogs can be specially taught to do for service dog recipients. The dogs are trained to open doors, block doors, assist with register transactions, pick up keys and can summon help if something happens, he said.
Levy, who has biked his entire life, has been training for the last four years by participating in long distance races around the United States. Levy has raced in the Adirondack 540 race in New York, the Fireweed 400 in Alaska and the Furnace Creek 508 through Death Valley and the Mohave Desert.
The distance of The Race Across America is about 1,000 miles longer than the Tour de France. Levy drank liquid nutrition and slept for under 90 minutes per day in the non stop race. Levy said he averaged from start to finish at about 11.4 miles per hour for about 22 hours a day.
The race began with 26 cyclists and 16 finished. Levy finished 11th and was ranked second in the 50 to 59 age group out of six cyclists. He said he was racing against professionals and other retired racers.
Levy said he hopes in addition to raising awareness that he can raise funding for Canine Companions.
By day, Levy is a computer network engineer at Automated Financial Systems in Exton, has a computer business on the side and a family.
"Finding time to train is tough but the support my family gave was amazing," Levy said.
In addition to his family Levy credited the support of his crew for helping him complete the race. Levy's crew vehicle was behind him at all times with radio contact.
"They were absolutely critical. We all worked as a unit," Levy said.

To check out Levy's blog visit www.raam2008.com