Larry Thompson & Mobility Assistance Dog Ritz
While out at a restaurant, Ritz donned her Mobility Assistance Dog cape and sat silently while Larry Thompson and his wife Cynthia were ready to enjoy their evening. Then their server walked up and told them they had to leave the restaurant because dogs weren’t allowed in the building. Before Larry could comment, the restaurant manager interrupted the moment and told them they could stay. Larry said, “It’s sometimes a little disheartening when they say you can’t have a dog there even when they have their assistance dog vest on. So many people aren’t informed and that’s kind of sad. I’m going to change that. I’m going to change the world!”
Larry has worked for KS95 Hubbard Broadcasting as Moon from the Moon, Staci and Crisco Show for 13 years as an on-air personality. He has been diagnosed with MS for 12 of those years. His job requires him to do a lot of public meet and greets as well as attend multiple charity events a year. While attending the MuckFest MS Twin Cities event he met the Can Do Canines graduate team Beth and Mobility Assistance Dog Dazzle. Larry had mentioned that he didn’t need more work like bringing a dog into his home – he needed less work. Beth proclaimed, “You don’t understand what an assistance dog can do for you!” A little while later Larry decided to research Can Do Canines and ask his family if they were ready for a new family member.
Enter Ritz, a gorgeous two-and-a-half-year-old black Labrador Retriever who’s been trained specifically for Larry as a Mobility Assistance Dog. Besides offering companionship, Ritz helps Larry get out of chairs, pick up dropped items, take his shoes and socks off, retrieve his pajamas before bed, and she helps him in and out of their van by raising and lifting Larry’s legs. “Ritz is very, very smart. If you show her what you want she can generally figure it out on her own.”
“I didn’t know if I’d ever get certified but I’ve learned a lot and Ritz has learned a lot about me. Now she’s as much a part of the household like everyone else around here!”
Because of your support, Ritz and Larry became a successful team. Larry exclaims, “Everyone at Can Do Canines has been top shelf in helping me learn and figure things out. What I know having a disability is that the amount of service that these dogs can give to somebody that really needs help is huge. What would we do without your help?”
“I don’t know what I would do without her! She’s changed my family’s life and mine.”
Because of volunteers, puppy raisers, fosters and donors like you, Ritz is able to change Larry’s life for the better. He wants you to know, “I wish that everybody could have what I have with Ritz, but I know that can’t happen. If you’re one of those people who can make a donation or try to help the process from raising a puppy all the way to what we’re doing today, then please get on the Can Do Canines website and make a contribution or volunteer because it’s truly appreciated and it’s a big deal to me!”
“I’m a happier person now that we have Ritz. I went many years saying no to having a pet or an animal of any kind. Now that we have Ritz it’s unbelievable! Man are we spoiled. She is nearly perfect! She loves me I think just as much as I love her!”
Thank you to all those who made this partnership possible:
Puppy Raiser— The Inmate Handlers at the Federal Correctional Institution at Waseca; the Inmate Handlers at the Federal Correctional Institution at Sandstone
Special Thanks—Kristina Rudd
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