Service Dog Training- First Week

Wow, this week went by fast! I am so impressed with my amazing dog Chadds. We've learned a lot in just one week. He can pick things up, open doors, tug open cabinets, and carry things. We've definitely bonded a lot. His two favorite things in the world are cuddling and food! One time this week he jumped fully into my lap. He proceeded to circle around on my tiny lap before laying down and making himself comfortable. I have been able to take him home (well, home to our rented apartment) for two days now. He still greets me with an excited tail wag and kisses every morning. It's been so much fun having him at my temporary home and I can't wait to take him to my real home. I don't let him sleep in my bed, but I let him up on my bed for a little cuddle time every day. Today, he put his head right in the crook of my neck and curled up next to me. He's the cutest dog in the world!

We've done three field trips so far: Chili's, a shopping center that included TJ Maxx, a shoe store, Staples, and Starbucks, and a minor league baseball game in Wilmington, Delaware. Even in big crowds full of curious people, Chadds did really well. Canine Partners had one of their volunteers come up to every dog and start petting them. For those of who don't know, no one other than the owner is allowed to pet a service dog. I didn't realize the volunteer was part of the organization and quickly told her not to pet my dog. Chadds went to a lot of tricky environments on these trips, including dressing rooms, public restrooms, and stadium seating. In every situation, he was well-behaved and listened to me.

The training has also included lectures on various important topics, ranging from healthcare to travel to what to do if someone tries to deny access to a public place. All of the other people in the training are amazing people who come from different places and have different medical challenges. I have enjoyed getting to know them in the last week. I'm so lucky to have a dog as amazing as Chadds and I can't wait to work more with him!

Service Dog Training- First Couple Days

About a year and a half ago, I went to a Disabilities Expo in Dulles. I had no idea that it would change my life. I saw a service dog demonstration and was amazed at the things the dog could do. It could differentiate between objects and pick them up, hold objects in his mouth (including an iPhone), and alert to medical conditions. The dog was from Canine Partners for Life, and after careful consideration, I decided to apply for a dog. I was matched with a 2-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever named Chadds a couple months ago and began a 3-week training on Saturday. Canine Partners for Life is located in Cochranville, Pennsylvania, so I'm staying in an apartment near the facility for the duration of the training. My parents are splitting the time, so right now my mom and I have the whole place to ourselves. My life is about to change for the better!

Training has been fantastic so far. There was a welcome dinner on Saturday and right away, Chadds gave me unconditional love. He is so affectionate and tries to get as close to me as possible. One time he jumped onto my lap and when I hugged him, he put his head on my shoulder and returned the hug. His eyes are absolutely beautiful- when he looks at me, it's hard to resist giving him a treat! There are nine other people getting service dogs in this training and they're all super nice. Yesterday was the first day of actual training. We got a lot of equipment and talked about what the next three weeks will look like. We'll do a lot of field trips throughout the training to get used to taking our dog into public places. Sadly, Chadds can't come back to the apartment with me until Friday!

Today we started actually doing obedience activities with our dogs. Chadds is learning how to walk nicely next to my wheelchair. I know he's not scared of my chair; he curls up in the most random places, always with his body somehow on my chair. I feel so bad when I run over his feet, but I guess it'll help him learn how to walk with me. Chadds listens to me overall and is very dedicated to his work. We took him on a car ride today and he rested his head in my lap the whole time. It was adorable! We're still working on going through doors. He has a tendency to try to race ahead of me. Hopefully soon we'll start working on service skills such as picking things up and retrieving things. I'm so excited to bond with him more and improve our partnership! I'll update you all on our progress later in the week.

My Future

I have big plans for my future, and I do not intend to let my disability stop me. I plan to become an English teacher in order to share my passion for reading and writing with the next generation. I've had some teachers that have really inspired me to pursue a career in education. I hope to give back to the community and make a difference in children's lives, just like my past teachers have done for me. Obviously, becoming a teacher entails going to college. I have more to consider when selecting a school than the average student. I've met with representatives from the disability support services at my top two schools, which are the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill and the College of William and Mary. I also like University of Maryland- College Park, so I talked to a friend there who has muscular dystrophy as well. She has had an amazing experience there, which shows me how accommodating colleges can be. I have no doubt that I will be happy wherever I end up. I'm done with most of my standardized testing, so I just need to apply and find out where I get in! It's a bit nerve-wracking to know that next year I'll know where I'll spend the next four or five years of my life. I will not let my disability to impact my future success; I will go to college and I will have a successful career and family.

There are some extra things I have to consider when looking for colleges:

• How far is it from home?

I am currently in the process of getting a drivers license, but I'm not sure if I'll have it before I go to college. If I go out of state I need to make sure I have a way to easily get home.

• What's the weather like?

I'm not a big fan of the snow and neither is my wheelchair. I would prefer to go somewhere south of here so that the weather is warmer and is less extreme in the winter.

• What style of dorms does it have?

I would love a suite style dorm that has a bathroom inside of it, which sounds so much better than sharing a bathroom with a whole hall. It would be much easier and more convenient for me.

• How accessible is the campus?

Most of the colleges I've toured have seemed pretty accessible. I have to make sure there are enough elevators, smooth sidewalks, and transportation options so that I can get around campus easily.

I'm looking forward to documenting more of this exciting process!