Here are Jack and CAYLIE enjoying their day at Special Olympics in Cabarrus County. CAYLIE was the only service dog at the games, which surprised me.  Last year we saw one other.  There were so many children who were frightened because they were out of their routine and environment, but CAYLIE helped them cope with her love and patience. Jack had two events and received gold medals.  He was tickle ...

This is officially my 4th semester as a “student” volunteer (and now intern) for paws4people, and it has been a wonderful two years so far. I still remember stressing over the commands test, being terrified every time Terry taught the class, working with Monty’s Home dogs, and the very first day I was able to pick up MASON. It has been a long, stressful and amazing journey thus far. I graduate this Ma ...

    Last week, CAYLIE went to Wolf Meadow Elementary to help students in the AU room learn about sequencing and what is appropriate to wear when it's cold outside. As you can see, she feels a bit embarrassed with clothes on, but she loves to help the kids. Each child gets to put one or two items on and then take them off when she is fully dressed.  She is a very gentle and patient dog.   In the ...

This has been a busy time for STEWART and me.  Soon after I got out of the hospital, we spoke in front of approximately 35 pre-schoolers at the library.  The children were very excited to see STEWART and to watch some of his commands.  We talked about service dogs and about not touching them if they are working (wearing a vest). The holidays around a church can be very busy and anxiety producing.  There ...

The puppies left yesterday for their training at the prisons and it was very bittersweet.  I haven't blogged in a long time because I have been so busy but I want to get this out while it is still fresh in my mind.  I feel like the luckiest person to have been able to spend the first twelve weeks of the puppies lives with them!  I have learned so much about caring for them and helping shape their persona ...

Hello All, I'm once again sorry for the laps in time between blog posts. It has been quite an adjustment getting used to Army life for all of us. We are now settled in at our new home at Ft. Knox, KY. My husband Brian, baby Johnathan and I are all doing well. Bliss seems to really enjoy it here and we have made a few puppy friends. They have a nice dog run on post and we enjoy taking her there to play ...

After a long relaxing summer, CAROLINE is finally back to work!  Her first visit was to see Sam, one of her favorites!  He has decreased strength and difficulty balancing so CAROLINE helps him with his exercises and makes working much more fun.  One of the things we work on is maintaining a kneeling position to improve his hip strength like shown in this picture.  Here Sam is brushing CAROLINE while hol ...

I remember meeting Jeff and TAZIE for the first time last semester as I took Kyria's Assistance Dog class and remember how difficult it was for him.  I also remember how difficult it was for me.  Being 45 in a class of young people and having issues of my own to where I was applying for a service dog made me feel like a fish out of water.  I lived in Jacksonville, NC at the time and drove an hour each wa ...