The moment you meet Tammy, the first thing you notice is her contagious joy and how you suddenly feel like she’s welcomed you into her family. Tammy cares deeply about caring for others, so the people and animals in her life know only love and kindness. One lucky Can Do Canine was recently welcomed into Tammy’s family to start sharing this warm environment, and for Tammy, the addition was not a moment too soon.
Recent years have brought Tammy a growing number of medical diagnoses and limitations, which have made her world smaller and smaller. While she doesn’t have a specific name for everything she lives with, Tammy’s combination of conditions includes tremors in both hands, neuropathy, degenerative disc disease, failed back surgery, spinal stenosis, hypermobility in her legs, and being at a high fall risk. After being in multiple car accidents over the past few years, specifically being hit by a semi-truck, Tammy was left with even more chronic pain and limitations in her neck and back.
Unable to pick up things from the floor, Tammy struggled with basic tasks, such as doing laundry, and had to leave dropped items on the floor. Anxiety limited her function as well, making her constantly afraid of being in vulnerable situations.
Her Angel with Four Legs
When she was referred to us by another dog training company, Tammy expresses, “I was just hoping to get some of my independence back, to be able to feel like I can go out and do a few things, to have a purpose.” She remembers the moment she met her new partner, a 2-year-old black Labrador Retriever named Magnum, just days before her birthday. “I was in love.”
Now, instead of worrying about every little movement being a potential fall or causing more pain, Tammy is able to focus on Magnum doing the task for her instead. “He helps with my anxiety, he helps make me feel a little more like who I was before I got injured.”
Around the house, Magnum picks up all the dropped items Tammy needs off the ground, retrieves a cordless phone and alerts Tammy’s husband if she needs additional help. Magnum also loves tugging doors, her laundry basket, jacket sleeves, and the porch door open. “It’s almost like he reads my mind,” Tammy adds.
One day she was having an especially difficult time using her hands to open a door, and she ended up in tears. Magnum came over immediately to tug it open for her, then sat and stared at her as if to let her know it’s okay, he was there. Tammy shares, “People take for granted the little things we do every day. There are so many things that he helps me with that I don’t even think about now because he’s always right there.”
A Team of Happy Helpers
Tammy’s family has seen some of her spark come back, and her world has opened up to more possibilities again. Tammy reflects, “Magnum gives me a purpose, he gives me something to look forward to.”
She shares her assistance dog story and encourages others to explore how they might become involved with Can Do Canines. Tammy says to all the people who helped make her new partner and new life possible, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you so much for raising such a great boy and making my life 1,000 times better because of him. Keep doing what you’re doing. I know it’s difficult. You did an amazing job, and I’m grateful for everything you’ve done.”
Thank you to all those who made this partnership possible:
Great Start Home: Julie Moldan
Puppy Raiser: Stanley Correctional Institution
Special Thanks: Debbie Mogenson, The Vander Lugt Family, FETCH Program, Larry & Angie LaBathe
You: Thank you for your donations!
Working Together to Lick the Fears
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