SSD TJ

Mary Alice and SSD TJ

It's hard to believe that I've been partnered with SSD TJ for almost four years now.

When a therapist at Hershey Medical Center Rehab recommended that I look into getting a service dog, little did I realize the impact it would have on my life when I got TJ. I had severe mobility dysfunction due to a variety of health-related problems, including cancer, Parkinson's and Lupus. I love animals so I applied to Susquehanna Service Dogs because I thought it would be great to have a dog that could help me with some of my challenges.

The process took about two years but I was ultimately partnered with SSD TJ. He is such an amazing dog! He helps me with so many things - my balance, retrieving objects, opening doors, getting the phone for me, and much more. Although he was not trained for it, he has developed the ability to detect oncoming seizures (he actually did this in the Hershey Med Center Emergency Room while I was awaiting treatment) and can detect extreme changes in my blood sugar levels (I am diabetic, too).

He is also quite intelligent and has learned to get help for me when I need it. Since my challenges often vary, he adapts to whatever a situation may require. He started out as a balance dog for me, but he has also learned to help me when I'm in my wheelchair or using my walker. TJ is also great at providing emotional support for me when I need it.

When I'm crying, he will come and lay his head on my lap to comfort me. When I have been hospitalized, he will often jump into bed and lay with me. When TJ came home with me, I began going outside to the mailbox by myself for the first time since my cancer surgery because I was always afraid of falling down. Then he began to accompany me on the minibus rides to my outpatient therapy appointments. Now we go everywhere together - church, amusement parks, musicals, shopping, doctor appointments, campgrounds, etc. My friends look at us and tease "Have dog, Will travel!" When he goes to drive throughs at banks and fast food restaurants, he usually gets a treat. But its hard for him to understand why an ATM does not dispense dog treats.

My doctors have commented about the change he has made in my life. For the first time they have seen a break from my deep depression and can see that he is a great help with activities of daily living. He not only brings joy to my life but to everyone he comes in contact with. My dad is presently a hospice patient at the local V.A. hospital and looks forward to our visits because TJ brightens his spirits as well as the other patients he may come into contact with.

He has become a favorite with my grandchildren and is very gentle toward them, no matter how they poke, prod, or crawl all over him. He keeps rewarding them with kisses. He also loves to jump into the kiddie pool with them and play. Thanks to TJ I have much more independence and self-confidence than I've had in a very long time. He is always by my side and I don't know what life would be like if I didn't have him to share it with. I thank God every day for sending me my special "furry angel"!