Gary Wenisch & Mobility Assist Dog Zazu
Gary Wenisch of Minneapolis, Minn. is not one
to let his circumstances slow him down. Despite living with quadriplegia and using a wheelchair to get around, Gary is always on the move, visiting local parks, fishing or pursuing his passion for photography. Gary’s van, which is fully equipped including a motorized ramp for his wheelchair, is his vessel to pursue the independent life he envisions. He admits that as he gets older, however, it’s becoming more difficult to perform daily tasks.
Gary experienced a spinal cord injury while diving at age 22. A bilateral break to his spinal column left him with the use of only one side of his body. Years later, while living at the Courage Center, he was in a serious car accident; the resulting fractures and broken bones exacerbated his previous issues and decreased his mobility even further.
Fate finally intervened to give Gary a break when he adopted a border collie mix named Ace in 2001. Gary had grown up with dogs all his life and was very familiar with their training; he thought he’d see if Ace had what it took to be a helper. Within 20 minutes of training, Gary had his answer. Ace had a knack for retrieving dropped items. Gary found his world expanded when he had a little canine assistance.
“Having a dog for the last 13 years with constant vigilance over my activities spoiled me with both companionship and security,” Gary says.
Unfortunately Ace passed away in 2014. Gary found that he was once again in need of a little help. Fate intervened once more when his mailman, veterinarian, hair dresser and close friend, all recommended Can Do Canines assistance dogs. “They all just nudged me a little bit,” Gary says, laughing.
Gary applied to Can Do Canines and was partnered with a Mobility Assist Dog named Zazu. Zazu’s foster home providers describe the two and a half year-old golden retriever mix as “a cuddly, sweet dog” who always wants to help. The training process went by smoothly and Gary says it reminded him of when he was training Ace. Gary admits that Zazu may have something to do with the process being so painless.
“I am very fortunate to have been given such a smart dog,” Gary says.
Zazu helps Gary by fetching his coat, tugging open doors and retrieving dropped items. Zazu even does the laundry! Zazu will dip his head into the dryer and when it emerges a sweater or sock will be in his mouth, ready for Gary to fold. In addition to his skills, Gary says he feels safer simply having Zazu around.
“He’s really good at watching the door and providing an extra layer of security with his ‘happy bark.’
The neighbors all like him, friends like him, he’s a very sociable dog.”
Gary adds that while an assistance dog certainly helps him physically, mentally he’s in a better place too. To all the donors and volunteers who helped bring him to that better place and make Zazu a reality, he is thankful.
“I don’t know if I’d call it companionship. It’s more like security for people like me with any type of disability and we all have some sort,” Gary says. “An assistance dog kind of fills that void.’
Thank you to all those who made this partnership possible:
Puppy Raiser—The Inmate Handlers at the Federal Prison Camp at Duluth
Special Thanks—Sue O’Connell
Dog Source—Jenne Black
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