Rudy
Candis and Rudy
This is my story about Rudy. He passed away 5 years ago and he was an awesome dog. I still think about him often. But our story began 15 years ago. A friend was starting Susquehanna Service Dogs and asked if I wanted to adopt a 6 month old black lab being discharged because of hip dysplasia. The puppy was Rudy, and of course I wanted him. When I went to their kennel to pick him up, Nancy showed me around and explained the program that was just a year old. I was very interested in the concept - imagine dogs helping people with disabilities. I started volunteering with them the next week. Nancy and the staff trainers very patiently taught me to work with and train the dogs. And that was 15 years ago. I been a volunteer all of my adult life and this has been the most rewarding experience ever!! Susquehanna Service Dogs has 170 working teams throughout the US. I have had a part in training most of those dogs and my life has been enriched because of it. So, it is thanks to Rudy that I became part of Susquehanna Service Dogs.