What would I do without Tacoma?  Since I graduated the first time from Loving Paws two years ago with my mom, the three of us were a Social Dog team and it was great to have Tacoma with us as part of the family.  It did take a little getting used to for all of us once we got home, but we figured it out pretty quickly.  Last year, Tacoma and I graduated as a Service Dog team because I was leaving for middle school and my mom wouldn’t be there to help. 

Life with Tacoma has been so great!  It was a little bit hard at first, getting used to the idea of having to take her everywhere I went but it wasn’t long before I missed her if she wasn’t with me, even if just for a few minutes.  I can’t imagine not having Tacoma in my life.  She helps me by picking up things and she can stand strong on all 4 legs so I can use her climb up a curb or get up when I fall down.  Tacoma always makes me smile, especially when I am feeling sad, by licking my face, wagging her tail and just being there with me.  She’s always around looking out for me like she knows that I am her girl and that is her job. 

Tacoma loves to work, she even gets silly about it sometimes but that is part of what makes her so special.  I know that I can count on her, she is my companion and my best friend.  We go everywhere together and are usually greeted with quite a reception.  My orthodontist’s office people all love Tacoma.  During my last year in elementary school, Tacoma, my mom and I went around to other classes to teach them about service dogs and what they do for people with disabilities.  I think Tacoma really liked showing off her skills for the students. 

Now that we are together at middle school, it sure is different, but the one thing I can always count on is Tacoma.  I will always take good care of her because she takes good care of me.  It has been a great experience, the best, so far and I look forward to many more years with my very special dog from Loving Paws because I can’t imagine life without her.

--Alexandria D. Simon with Tacoma
11 years old

Having Freedom Means Having Freedom 

Before I had Freedom, I was very shy and unhappy because I have Mitochondrial disease and it is very painful. It leaves me with no energy, so I miss a lot of school, and life seemed too hard to do. I didn't like talking in front of people at all.

Since Freedom has been in my life, I have accomplished many things. I have put on many fundraisers, spreading awareness about Mitochondrial disease and raising funds for research to find a cure. I have given many interviews for a number of papers and done a handful of live interviews for our news station.  I go to science classrooms and talk about the mitochondria cells and how it affects me because mine do not work correctly. I get kids to help with my dinners, golf tournaments and walk a thons. I have raised almost $20,000 in less than a year, and was named the first Youth Ambassador for the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.

Freedom has given me so much confidence, courage, stability and unconditional love. I meet people and talk to them because they see Freedom first and not my wheelchair. Freedom helps me if I need help or if I drop something, she stays at the hospital with me when I am in for days, weeks and months at a time. She is my best friend and I thank the Lord for leading me to Loving Paws in Santa Rosa.

--Brittany Wilkinson with Freedom

I broke my neck on July 15 of 2005 and have been in a wheelchair ever since. I received my service dog – Mr. Bojangles, or Bo, Bobo, Bo-d-Bo, and/or Bozo – on July 29 of 2006 from Loving Paws Assistance Dogs. He is a three-year-old black lab with the eternal heart of a puppy, yet the temperament of a seasoned service dog. 

He was placed with his “mama” (or as I call her, Sheila) at about eight weeks of age. With Sheila, Bo learned to be well behaved in public in a wide variety of situations, including movies, sporting events, shows, public transportation, and large crowds. He also learned all of his basic obedience that allows him to be a successful service dog.

In spring of 2006, Bo traveled to Oregon to receive his advanced training. There he learned many of the commands that service dogs have become famous for. For example, Bo can flip light switches, push elevator buttons, open doors, pull me in my wheelchair, and many other helpful things. 

However, one of the less known benefits Bo and other service dogs provide is the emotional support of having one of your best buds with you all the time. Being disabled brings many additional challenges. I need to be strong and confident in order for my dog to respect me and work for me. That alone helps me through some tough days.

Having a dog like Bo has been one of the best things to happen to me.

--Jesse with Bo

Hello, I'm Chris, handler of Loving Paws Assistance Dog Beamer.  I have had experience with two different Loving Dogs in my life. They both have meant so much to me to this day. The number one thing I can say my dogs have brought to my life is independence.   I can count on Beamer to retrieve items, open doors, and even take off my socks for me without having to rely on my parents and others so much. I now have more confidence while in public than I ever had before. I go to my local mall, and I find myself meeting more and more people every day and most of the conversations start because of Beamer. I'm also less afraid in public, of dropping things, and what will happen if I get stuck somewhere in my chair because I know that Beamer will get me the help that I need.  The most important thing is friendship.  I have my best friend with me at all times, who will always be there for me and is ready to serve me at a moment’s notice.

--Chris with Beamer