Kelli was a second-grade teacher for her profession, but in her spare time, she loved to ride horses. A fall from a horse in 2020, though, changed her life.
After an eight-day coma scare, Kelli began recovery from a traumatic brain injury that affected the function of the right side of her body. Her right eye no longer focuses correctly due to nerve damage; she is forced to use her left, non-dominant hand for many tasks; and she uses a cane to account for balance issues.
The many adjustments in her life and the multiple therapies she regularly undergoes quickly created a financial impact for her and her husband, Tim. It was at a fundraising event for Kelli when a Carver Lion’s Club member suggested Can Do Canines.
Having assistance in the home, like what a skilled dog can provide, seemed like a perfect solution for the couple. Kelli explains, “With my husband being a full-time teacher, I spent all day home by myself. If I dropped something (my cane, TV remote, cell phone), it would be very difficult for me to pick up by myself … due to my balance issues.” She adds, “My biggest risk is if I were to fall. I would have no way to help myself back up, or even call for help. My balance can be very good on one day, and very different the next day, so that is always a fear of mine.”
Fear-relief soon flowed to her, embodied in Mobility Assist Dog Ripple. Kelli describes Ripple—a black Lab mix with a distinguishing tuft of white fur on her chest—as warm and attentive. “When my husband lets her out of her kennel in the mornings, she always runs to find me in bed. She is ready to walk with me right to the bathroom. She then waits for me to be done getting ready for the day.”
Ripple’s daily lesson plans are full of helpful tasks for Kelli. “She can easily get my cane if I drop it. She will bring me the laundry basket now so my husband doesn’t have to” (which previously, had sometimes been a special trip home at lunchtime). “I know if I fall down, I can have her push the ‘get help’ button on our wall so someone can come help me,” says Kelli. “I love how responsive she has always been to my needs.”
That responsiveness puts Tim at ease, too. Kelli shares, “I’m happy my husband has peace of mind knowing she is with me to help.”
Ripple’s personality and skills are surging a wave of self-assuredness for Kelli. “I now feel more confident to walk longer distances around the house knowing she is always with me. I feel more independent in certain tasks because she helps me … I feel whole because she is with me during the day.” The added affection Ripple offers is a definite bonus, with Kelli sharing, “I love when she puts her head on my feet when I’m watching TV or reading a book so I know she is there.”
This former teacher has learned the real meaning of “a Ripple effect” in her life and acknowledges those who helped raise and train her assistance dog. “I just want to say thank you for all you do to make these dogs the special angels that they are to so many! Without your skill set to work with these precious animals, so many would not be able to realize their true potential moving forward in their lives.”
Thank you to all those who made this partnership possible:
Whelping Home — Rick and Patti Dougherty
Raisers — Annie Goldberg, Ramirez Family, The Weber Family
Special Thanks — Federal Correctional Institution-Waseca
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