After a snowmobile accident in 1995 left him paralyzed from the chest down, Jason waited a long time to get an assistance dog. Following his accident, Jason spent four months in the hospital recuperating then jumped right into playing sports. He was active and busy and just didn’t feel like the time was right to get a dog.
“But I’m less independent now,” Jason says. “I met a guy at church who has an assistance dog, and he told me about Can Do Canines.” Finally ready to take the first step, Jason went to an open house and soon filled out an application. “What a whirlwind! Everything happened so fast. I expected to wait two to three years for the right dog. Instead, Denise called to say they had a match for me right away.”
“I was really excited,” Jason says, “and nervous.” I started my training sessions and after the first one, I briefly met Moses to see if he liked me. I liked him right away. Who doesn’t like a Labrador?”
Needless to say, Moses liked Jason, too. A lot. “He’s a big snuggler,” Jason says of Moses. “He’s sneaky. When I’m laying down, first he puts his chin on the couch and gives me those puppy eyes, then he puts one paw up slowly, then another, and suddenly he’s on the couch with me.”
But only during the mornings and at night. During the day, Moses is all business. “He’s so attentive to me, always looking for ways to help: getting my shoes, helping me take them off, picking up his toys. Moses really is not affectionate until the work day is over, then he’s all lovey-dovey again.”
Jason said life changed 180 degrees for him and his wife, Diana, when Moses came to live with them in March. “Moses is involved in everything we do. We take walks together. We play. We practice his skills every day. He helps me take off my shoes and socks, picks up things I drop, opens doors and the bottom drawers for me, and pushes the buttons to open doors when we’re out and about.” Jason adds, “He’s so smart. It’s fun to watch him think through a command. He’ll pause, as though he’s remembering each step.”
They have a busy summer ahead, with plans for lots of outdoor music in nearby parks and weekends at the lake with friends and family. Jason looks forward to pontoon rides with Moses and is making sure Moses is comfortable in water. To kick things off, he filled up a small pool for Moses. Early signs are hopeful: Moses walks around in the pool and even puts his head under the water to grab his toys.
Much like he sneaks into bed with Jason, Moses also sneaked into his heart. “I love the companionship,” Jason says. “Especially in the morning. It’s my favorite part of the day. He wakes me up, rubs his head into me. Just knowing he’s always there is so special.”
“How can you not fall in love?” Jason asks. “Moses is so well trained. He does everything I ask. He’s almost always right by my side. Or, if he’s in another room, he’ll peek in to check on me every five or ten minutes: Need anything? Can I help?”
“I’m so humbled. I cry at least once a day, just to be around something so special. The hand of God was definitely involved for me to get Moses. What did I do to deserve this gift?”
Jason has a few friends who have assistance dogs of their own and wish they would have decided to get them sooner. Not Jason. “Now I know why I waited,” he says. “I waited for the right dog. I waited for Moses.”
Thank you to all those who made this partnership possible:
Whelping Home — Diana Adamson & Paul Oberhaus
Raisers — Karen Bradley
Special Thanks — Stanley Correctional Institution
Team Sponsor — Ramsey Lions
Name-A-Puppy Donor — St. Joseph Lions
Appreciating the Positive Effects of an Autism Assist Dog
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