Service Dog Allows Man to Live on his Own

"Titus' main job is to open and close doors, pick up objects that Rea drops — such as a computer mouse or phone — and other tasks, as well as provide companionship. At the office, Titus sits on a dog bed under the desk and can react to Rea's commands so Rea's co-workers don't have to be interrupted.

“It's a disruption. It puts me in an awkward position. I have to ask people to do a lot of things for me,” Rea said." Read more about Titus and Eric http://www.enterprisenewspapers.com/article/20090909/ETP03/709099843&template=ETPZoneEDart.

Shiloh Comes Through When it Really Counts!

(Originally published on Service Dogs: A Way of Life) This morning I woke up with severe pain in my neck and right shoulder(again). At first I wasn't even sure I could get out out of bed, but with a little persistence I managed to make it out of bed. As I tried to transfer into my chair my shoulder gave way and I ended up on the floor! I tried a few times to get up, but quickly realized my right shoulder was not going to weight bare at all, so even using Shiloh to brace a bit was out.I tried Plan B yell, for my roommate Leslie, no dice, since she sleeps like the dead.
Time for plan C, get Shiloh to roust my still sleeping roommate from her bed. My roommates and I have been working on getting Shiloh to find them by name and Shiloh loves my roommate's room, so time to put it to the test. I asked Shiloh "Where's Leslie? Go Get Leslie!" She went to my roommate's door and found it closed ( I could see her and the door from where I was on the floor), so I cue her to touch the door with her paw again and again. She would come back every few times, and I would send her back again. After, a few minutes Shiloh finally succeeded in waking my roommate's Guide Dog, Cammy, who I heard come over to the door and sniff. Shiloh continued to paw the door, while Cammy (deciding that it was time to be up) went over and stuck her nose in Leslie's face, finally waking her! She then heard Shiloh pawing away at the door. Disoriented, and still half asleep, I see her come out of the room saying "What the hell?!" Now I tell her I need help I can't get off the floor! She being the wonderful friend and good roommate comes in immediately to fish me off the floor.
Even if my roommate had not been there and I would have had to wait for someone to come help me, or until I felt it might be safe to attempt to get myself of the the floor having Shiloh there, knowing the that I was not alone she could get the phone and show the people who came to my calls where I was kept me from slipping in to that fear that I could be here on the floor until God knows when! Not falling into that fear left me able to more logically process the situation and stay calm. Shiloh is my constant companion and between the two of us we can figure out a lot of really difficult predicaments! Even it the best thing to do is wait, I am not so vulnerable with Shiloh around she will patiently wait with me.

Celebrating One year as a Team

I want to thank everyone who works, volunteers, and/donates to Summit Assistance Dogs for making this last year possible for Shiloh and me!
In this last year, I have gone from being unexpectedly laid off and a person whose world had drastically shrunk following the retirement of my first service dog and an increase in disabling pain to a person one again working near full time and traveling again.I especially want to thank Sue Meinzinger, who loved and trained Shiloh for nearly a year. She was a hard one for you to let go, I know.
It has been a long, hard journey and I invite everyone to follow all of our adventures here http://servicedogsawayoflife.blogspot.com/2009/10/anniversary-celebrating-one-year-as.html.