First Assistance Dog Makes Second One an “Easy Decision”

1. Get up in the morning.
2. Eat breakfast.
3. Watch TV.
4. Eat lunch.
5. Watch TV.
6. Eat dinner.
7. Watch TV.
8. Go to bed.

This routine describes a typical day for Chris before he got a Can Do Canines assistance dog. 

Born with quad spastic cerebral palsy, which affects his ability to walk, Chris uses a power wheelchair and says, “I can’t just bend over to pick something up.” And having to pick up items is a common occurrence for Chris, who regularly drops items, due to his condition. “It affects my hand movements and the ability to open doors.” 

He admits that he struggled going out in public, even to doctor’s appointments. 

However, that all changed when he found out about Can Do Canines while in college. “I got my first service dog, Esmeralda, my third year in college,” says Chris. “Esmeralda was a great dog,” who served Chris well for 11 years until she developed severe arthritis. “She just got to where she couldn't do it anymore,” Chris recalls. “I ended up having to move her home with my parents, so she was kind of forced to retire, but she ultimately passed away due to the arthritis.” Remembering the pain, Chris says, “I was crushed.”

He knew he needed more help, so he applied for a second Can Do Canine. “For me, the decision was really easy because I knew what I was getting myself into.”

Pretty soon, what he found himself looking into was a pair of big brown eyes, belonging to a black Lab this time around, rather than a yellow Lab. Chris says of the owner of these sweet eyes, Mobility Assist Dog Margo, “She looks at me like ‘How can I help you?’”

So now when Chris needs help retrieving items, opening doors, tugging a laundry basket, turning on lights, and more, he says, “That’s where Margo comes in. She's like my guardian angel, always so willing to help and always willing to make sure that I'm happy.”

One activity that brings Chris particular happiness is being outside. “I'm a very outdoorsy person so when it's nice out, I like to be outside whenever possible. Margo and I go for two-mile walks in the morning and in the evening, and that is my favorite thing to do.”

With his world opening back up, Chris says, “I can go out in public and not be afraid of dropping anything because she is right there by my side. I'm back to my normal self being out in public again … doing my own thing again.” Additionally, he shares, “I also don't have the fear of being alone because Margo is here to keep me company.”

Feeling “blessed” overall, Chris says, “With an assistance dog like Margo, I feel I'm more complete. I just really can't wait to see what more we can learn from each other.”

To all of the Can Do Canines supporters and trainers, Chris says, ”There are not enough words in the English language to express my sincere gratitude …  Can Do Canines is a special place where their dogs fetch amazing things. But I can say now being with them a second time, their dogs fetch more than that. Their dogs give us independence and the freedom to continue to be independent. Their dogs also do one other thing that is incredible: their dogs capture their handler’s heart.”

 

Thank you to all those who made this partnership possible:

Whelping Home — Diana Adamson & Paul Oberhaus
Raiser — Jessica Newville
Special Thanks — SCI & JCI