Steph and Deja: Tackling Everyday Tasks and Having Fun Along the Way

By Tracy Will - 

For Steph, the desire to get an assistance dog was rooted in the hope that it could make her daily life a little easier. In black Lab Deja, she got that and so much more. Since coming home with Steph, Deja has become a much-loved family member with a big personality.

"She's a wonderful dog. She does so much good work," Steph says. "But she also plays. She can be lazy. And yes, sometimes she does things she's not supposed to. She's a regular dog. But one with really cool skills."

In 2015, an injury damaged Steph's spine to the point that she struggles to bend, lift, or pick something up if she drops it. In addition, Steph has a seizure disorder. Now Deja's there to assist whenever Steph needs it.

"She helps with everyday tasks that most people don't think about. But for someone like me, it makes a huge difference. She's a Lab through and through. She loves to pick things up and to retrieve," Steph says.

When Steph first arrived at Can Do Canines for training, she was nervous. "I worried so much about connection, and if Deja and I would have that connection. But when I met her, she came right over. She looked at me, and she had the most soulful eyes I've ever seen. I completely fell in love."

After Deja came home, Steph saw a host of positive changes in her life. "I drop things a lot, and she's very good and picking them up and handing them to me. She does many different things when they're needed occasionally, but that skill is needed more than all the rest," Steph says. "The grounding has also been hugely beneficial. I've noticed my seizure activity has dropped significantly. When I call her over, she knows what to do. She lays on my feet or on my lap, and she stares at me, which is very calming. That has been a wonderful thing with her."

Not only has Deja made a difference at home, she's also made it easier for Steph to venture out. "I had been struggling with my seizures in public. So being out in public was always anxiety-producing," Steph says. "Now, having her there with me, I can focus on her. I don't think so much about all the other things going on around me."

And it's not just Steph who's gained from Deja's presence. Steph's four children are thrilled she's there, too. "Sometimes I think people think, 'These poor dogs, all they do is work.' That's really not the case," Steph says. "She's part of our family. She plays with neighborhood dogs. She's very loved. I don't think there's a dog out there that gets more love than she does."

As she's settled in with Steph and her family, Deja's unique character has begun to shine through. In a move unlike most Labs, Deja doesn't like water, and she isn't interested in chasing a ball. She is, however, very happy to vent her energy in other ways.

"She gets what we call 'the squirrelys' once a day," Steph says. "She runs circles around the living room and dining room, slides into the cupboard, then she's done. Gets it out of her system, and she's good to go."

Steph knows that the benefits she's enjoying thanks to Deja are in large part due to the efforts poured into Deja's upbringing and training before the pair ever met. "The amount of time that the Can Do Canines volunteers put into training animals that they don't get to keep is incredible to me. I am amazed by their selflessness."

One scene in particular from the end of training stays with Steph. "The last day we were there, the kennel crew came out to say goodbye. It still makes me tear up to think of it. I was crying because you know they must fall in love with the dogs. And the amount of love that was shown to her along her path, I can see it in the dog that she is now. I thank everyone involved from the bottom of my heart."

 

Thank you to all those who made this partnership possible:

Whelping Home — Steph and Seth Scott
Raisers — Anne Cross, Jill Hallman
Special Thanks — Federal Correctional Institution-Waseca, Federal Prison Camp-Duluth, Stanley Correctional Institution, University of Minnesota FETCH Program (Kiara Hinz, Kimberly Klassen)