Independence Day Means Even More Now for Megan

By Mike Branch - 

Megan was paired with her service dog, Iggy, just after Independence Day—July 4—a fitting time to receive the Mobility Assist Dog who would have such a profound impact on her daily life.

Megan lives with a rare, progressive disease called Friedreich’s ataxia that results in diminished capacity for movement and loss of sensation over time. Since Freidreich’s ataxia is a progressive disease, actions that others take for granted have become more difficult for Megan. Picking up dropped items, opening doors, and even getting around in her wheelchair can be challenging and time-consuming, requiring more attempts and taking longer than it would for other people. “It’s not that I can’t pick things up,” Megan says. “Before Iggy, I could do things, but I would get frustrated. Now I say, ‘Iggy, get it!’”

With commands like “Tug,” “Get it,” and others, Megan can direct Iggy to do these things for her. Megan adds, "I feel like I can do so much more stuff, and I am so much happier now. Iggy saves me energy, as well, because I don’t have to retrieve things myself or do the other physical things that were difficult.”

Adjusting to a new dog was a learning process. Megan didn’t always know how to communicate with Iggy. Sometimes it was overwhelming. Growing up, she and her family always had pets, including dogs. She felt she knew the basics of handling a dog, but Megan quickly learned that she needed to communicate with Iggy in a specific way. Long explanations to Iggy of what she needed him to do in human terms weren’t going to work as well as a simple “Get it!” “Leave it!” or “Tug!”

Iggy is happiest when doing a job. He loves to retrieve things, pick up items from the floor, and be there for Megan. When they visit Megan’s family, Iggy always keeps one eye on her and never leaves her side. In the morning, when Megan’s alarm goes off, Iggy quickly jumps into action, as if to say, “Let’s Go!” No need for the snooze alarm when Iggy’s around.

Megan appreciates the work that Can Do Canines and host families have done. They have trained Iggy so well. But what she is most grateful for is having a new best friend, one that she can talk to and confide in. One that will love her no matter what.

Megan wishes “everyone could have a dog at least once in their life.” But having one that offers the added bonus of greater independence is something Megan doesn’t take for granted.

 

Thank you to all those who made this partnership possible:
Whelping Home — Kolleen Herr
Raisers — Shelby Stark, Felicia Ulrich
Special Thanks — Jackson Correctional Institution