Wally

Have you seen a smile this big? The giggles poured out too!

Introducing Wally... a super sweet black lab who is training to be a service dog! During the month of October, Wally will be visiting and working with Claudia. We hope that this will work out but are a little reluctant due to Claudia's dog allergies. She has been taking allergy shots in hopes of overcoming the runny nose and itchy eyes, but we may still have some issues.. we'll see.

On loan

Just our luck, a friend was generous enough to loan their adorable yellow lab this last weekend. The kids did their best to try it out. They took Kobe on walks, played ball, out to go potty, snuggled up, and enjoyed the wet licks! It was a chance to us to really test out the allergies and the kids' ability to handle having a dog around.

Kobe was very quick to learn how a wheelchair moves and managed to go around the block with Claudia. She is so determined to be independent, I love it!!

Kobe trotting right along her side! Claudia really has to learn to pay attention to her right side and watch the whereabouts of the dog. With a little practice for her and a service dog it will work well!

Vincent testing his pillow spot out. I didn't realize how much Vinny's hair looks like a yellow lab!!

Kobe wasn't sure if Julianne wanted him in the box or out, they settled on some licks and hugs.

Eloise really took to the dog, in a very responsible and loving way.

Kobe does not live with any kids so his attentive nature was impressive. He checked on Vincent a couple of times unbeknownst to him.

We are on the waiting list with three different service dog organizations. Only time will tell, but thank goodness for some loving friends willing to share in the meantime.

I get it

Claudia is on a mission to have a helper dog, and I know why.

We received our first rejection letter from Canine Companions for Independence out of Delaware, Ohio.  I was devastated.  Claudia was amazing.. she said that we'll see what they say in Georgia (Canine Assistants), and we will.

Last night we were talking together while I was helping her get ready for bed.  She loves to dream about what she is going to be when she grows up.  Maybe a doctor, a lawyer or a firefighter, she's not quite sure.  I was mentioning to her that perhaps she would be a good psychologist because she is so insightful and perceptive.  She said that her therapy dog could work well helping people too.  Yes, I replied, and that people would be inspired by all of her hard work and perseverance.  She wanted to know what inspire meant!

It's you babe!  You inspire me every day.  

And today was one of those tough days when having a disability just sucks, and I needed inspiration.

We had an average to stinky IEP meeting.  Nothing major, just not usually productive or helpful.  No one commenting on how wonderful and clever you are.. more of the I can't do that, I'm too busy, we don't have that and that would be too much to ask of the school district.  

But the icing on the cake for me was the call that I received an hour later about you being too "sick" to be in school.  No fever, no running nose, no bodily fluids, just that "the life is out of your eyes" and that you were not yourself.  Apparently you ran into too many chairs in your classroom.

Against my better judgement, I took you home today.  Not your choice I know, I heard the cries.  I see your frustration, isolation and struggle.  I get it.  

I know why that dog would be so nice to have by your side.  Someone that doesn't pass judgement on you because you use wheels.   A dog wouldn't underestimate your abilities or say that you couldn't play.  A dog could love you unconditionally and constantly be there for you. Believe me, I get it, I'm on your side.  Love you Claudia.

Claudia meeting Emily and her service dog Stryde

(plus the sisters Molly and Eloise)

OH--IO

Our last adventure before the school year begins... Ohio.  Since we moved from Columbus, Ohio four years ago we had not been back.  Long overdue were visits with family and friends, but the main reason we made the trip this time was for Claudia.  

She has been so dedicated to the idea of having a helper dog that we are doing our best to support the dream.  After researching, we felt like a group in Delaware (close to Columbus) was the best for us.  The final step before being placed on the waiting list for a dog is completing a personal interview.  So you will see we have a photo from the interview with one of the dogs there at Canine Companions for Independence

There most certainly was an animal theme to our whole trip... Starting with the 

Davidson Dairy Farm.

(My apologies for not getting a better photo of family.)

Great Uncle Ned showing off the cows

Giving a calf some water

Tractor Rides!

In the above photo, we were visiting the early intervention teacher and therapists (Darla, Nancy, Dee, and Vicky) at the Childhood League.  Both of the girls qualified for early intervention services in Ohio based on their premature birth.  We are forever indebted for the great start they gave the girls.

Claudia and Eloise smiling at the Canine Companion Office.  "Patti" was kind enough to keep the girls company while we finished the interview.  Claudia had a chance to try working with a dog while she was there.  

Claudia and Helen (her first PT) posing at Children's Hospital in Columbus.  Helen has spent hours staring into those eyes working on rolling and sitting back then!!  We have always been amazed by Helen's dedication and fabulous therapy skills.

The Krueger Crew burning the night oil with the Rank kids in the hotel.  The kids had a blast playing together as always.  Their parents are wonderful too!!

Our neighborhood friends from Westgate gathered for a beautiful evening.  We dearly miss all these lovely lady role models.  Each one of them has been generous and kind to our family.

And finally a quick stop in Indiana to visit Katie, Matt and Speckles!  What a cute and well-behaved little puppy.  Thanks for having us.

Pheeewww.. we survived!

Canine Companion

Since about December Claudia has been hoping and wishing for a companion dog. She thinks about all the details, draws pictures of her helper dog, and role plays with Eloise (not a far cry). She really wants a helper dog! Her plan is to have the dog open and hold doors for her, to pick up objects that she has dropped, to turn light switches on, and to help her peers see past the wheelchair.

The biggest hiccup that we have is that Claudia and Matt are allergic to dogs. Not to worry, Claudia has a plan for that too. It certainly helps to have some of your father's colleagues in the field of allergy shots. She has cornered several physicians about getting her started on the shots to help with these pesky allergies. And Matt as well, is willing to get the shots.

So our other hurdle is finding a dog... for that we have been applying and e-mailing contacts around the area. It's not just a simple application, you need medical information, personal references, autobiography, etc.

The process is expected to take one to two years. So we'll apply and wait.

In the meantime, I wanted to mention that there is a very special TV show on TONIGHT. PBS is doing a special about service/companion dogs. Check your local listings!!

PBS Through a Dog's Eyes