The Impact of an Ordinary Day 

By Beth Billstrom - 

It was an ordinary day. Mark was in his car waiting at a stoplight. He was on his way to pick up his daughter from daycare. Without any warning, a fully loaded construction truck traveling 60 miles an hour plowed into the back of Mark’s vehicle. The impact of the hit sent Mark’s car crashing into the vehicle in front of him. That day changed Mark’s life forever.

Due to the accident, Mark’s head is now permanently tilted backward, unable to move in any direction. The medical community refers to his condition as severe dystonia or torticollis. Due to his fixed head position, Mark will never be able to lie down on his stomach or back, but gratefully can on either side.

Before that fateful day back in 2010, Mark had a successful career as a business and personal banker. He was a healthy, active father who enjoyed carrying his daughter on his shoulders, hiking, and other outdoor activities. He never thought twice about a physical challenge. His life was full.

Now, Mark rests frequently throughout the day. Any type of bending induces vertigo and nausea. He no longer works. Simple tasks like doing laundry and picking up fallen objects are challenging.

Shortly after his accident, Mark received his first Can Do Canines Mobility Assist Dog, Uno James. Mark says, “The assistance and companionship I received through Uno James helped me adapt to my new, incredibly difficult lifestyle. For example, when doing laundry, Can Do Canines Mobility Assist Dogs are trained to respond to specific commands. When I say, ‘Get it’ my dog puts his head and front paws in the dryer and pulls out a piece of dry laundry with his mouth. Then I say, ‘Give it’ and he gives it to me. We repeat this process until the dryer is empty!”

When Uno James passed away, Mark knew he wanted another assistance dog. In August 2023, Mark welcomed his new Mobility Assist Dog, Titan, a yellow Labrador Retriever, into his life.

Titan and Mark are becoming great companions. According to Mark, “Titan’s training is based on the same Can Do Canines strong foundation as Uno James’, but there are a few new helpful commands. When I say ‘Park,’ Titan will sit with his hind end underneath my chair and immediately lay down. The command ‘In Front’ signals Titan to move between my legs so I can put on his Gentle Leader.”

Mark shared, “It’s amazing what these dogs can do. I don’t know how the trainers are able to train them in this way. They work their magic.” He explains, “Both my dogs tuck in their tails when laying down in public to prevent their tails from getting stepped on. That kind of detail shows such concern for the dog and for me.”

Mark loves that he can go anywhere with Titan and Titan is ready to help him. “He doesn’t shy away from noises or let anything disturb him. He just wants to be with me, and to go where I go. He always wants to help me.” Commenting further about that desire to assist, Mark says, “Titan enjoys playing, but his tail wags the most when he’s helping me. Both of my Mobility Assist Dogs respond the same way. They’re happiest when asked to do something.”

After reflecting on the positive impact Titan has had on his life, Mark thoughtfully summed up his experience. “Injuries can be life-changing, but so is a dog that helps with the inabilities that occur with the change. Even though my life still isn’t normal, my Can Do Canines Mobility Assist Dog makes it so I can live a life that’s closer to normal. It goes beyond just doing tasks. It’s like being a man’s best friend. A best friend with helping abilities.”

 

Thank you to all those who made this partnership possible:

Whelping Home — Dana and Pete Kittok
Raisers — Derek Goodman, Kathy and Mark Broten
Special Thanks — Stanley Correctional Institution, University of Minnesota FETCH Program (Olivia Goonan)
Name-A-Puppy Donor — Ann Smetana