Service Dogs, Inc. of Austin, Texas » Blog Archive July E-news

Can you match all 10 Puppies to their names?

First 10 winners get an SDI logo shirt!

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By By Sheri Soltes

Soft puppy fur
Sweet puppy breath
Spirited puppy play
Intense puppy naps

3 of Jeté’s 10 puppies made it into our Service Dog training program! Fosters, classes, outings – they can’t wait!

Follow us on Facebook to keep up with their adventures!

By Chris Hyatt

I was almost fatally injured at age 14 from a diving accident that left most of my body paralyzed. Since then, as a quadriplegic, I’ve accomplished many amazing things. I’m proud to be the fourth generation of Hyatt men to graduate from the University of Texas at Austin. I went to work for the Texas Senate straight out of college. Six years later, I became a legislative analyst for a small Research Agency and worked there for the next five years. I’m a founder and initial President of Austin’s Eels on Wheels (an adaptive scuba club) and I have over 200 open blue water dives to my credit. I travel almost annually to see the New Orleans Jazz Fest and never miss an Austin City Limits Festival. I love fishing and spent over a week last September in Alaska, fishing for Salmon, riding the train from Seward to Anchorage (and back), and flying over Mt. McKinley and landing on the glaciers. I’ve been to the Super Bowl and sat in a skybox seat, next to nationally recognized politicians and movie stars. I’ve been to the White House and spent Christmas in New York City. I’ve learned adaptive snow skiing in Lake Tahoe and I’ve camped at Big Bend in the arid Desert solitude.

All of these things are things that I accomplished (with help) as a quadriplegic. What I mean is, I could not have left my own bed without the help of others. By others, I mean attendant care givers, family members, and amazingly generous friends. There is always someone helping me behind the scenes who share in my accomplishments and in my failures. Without the help of others, I’m not leaving bed or getting out of my own door.

I see my partnership with a working dog as a way to facilitate my independence everywhere I go. Jay-Jay is my 4 year old Black Labrador Retriever. Jay-Jay was adopted by Service Dogs, Inc. (SDI) from the San Antonio animal shelter, which has one of the highest euthanasia rates in the United States. Jay-Jay was literally one sick puppy. He was severely emaciated and had tested positive for heart worms. The SDI trainers took a great risk by adopting such a sick dog — except that Jay-Jay had intelligence and a sweet, loving disposition. He was worth the risk.

Jay-Jay was specially trained to assist me with my physical challenges and lack of movement. Jay-Jay retrieves items most dogs would destroy. Jay-Jay picks up individual pieces of paper, pencils, cell phones, remote controls, sodas, clothing, medicine bottles and my computer mouse — all with great care.

Jay-Jay does the majority of his tasks without me even having to ask. As I leave, Jay-Jay knows to tug the small cord tied to the door handle to open the door. Once we’re out in the hall, Jay-Jay knows to close the apartment door by tugging it closed. All I do is put my wheelchair in the usual spot for exiting the apartment or building and he does the rest.

With a Service Dog at my side, I am more visible to the local community. Having a dog is a great adventure. My dog’s need to exercise gets me outside three or four times a day.

I joke that having Jay-Jay is the best icebreaker in the world — even better than beer! Anyone can read Jay-Jay’s posture and playful smile and know that he is one sweet, loving soul. People who might be otherwise feel uncomfortable talking to a wheelchair-bound person find it easier to approach me because of Jay-Jay.

The physical limitations placed upon me can be depressing. With Jay-Jay, I’m motivated to think of his needs first. He’s the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing I think about at night. Having Jay-Jay puts the focus of my thoughts towards the needs of my dog and away from the problems in my life.

I really can’t remember life without Jay-Jay — yet I’ve not even had him for 18 months. He’s touched my life in every way conceivable. Our relationship has exceptional value — a synergism that is greater than its component parts. I’m a better person because of Jay-Jay — and that’s how Jay-Jay really demonstrates excellence.

Further, and probably the most understated change is the loving bond of a beautiful animal. Having a dog just makes life better. I’m not sure which aspect I enjoy more, the increased independence or the fact that I’ll have an animal that loves me and loves working for me.

I just turned 40 last month. I hope to accomplish just as much or more things in the second half of my life. With a Service dog at my side, I feel that I can do more and live a richer life. I also see myself as an ambassador of SDI. I want people to see what wonderful things a dog can do for other members of the disabled population.

Thank you SDI for the opportunity to live a richer life.

Chris Hyatt

By Faraday Dog

I started my training at Guide Dogs for the Blind, the Hogwarts of guide dog schools. They are the oldest such school – 75 years. If Dumbledore trained guide dogs, he’d be dean here!

Like all of their top tier dogs, I excelled a Quidditch, Magical Potions and Transfiguration, known to you Muggles as Walking with a Harness, Intelligent Disobedience (like not letting your human lead you into a busy street) and Avoiding Distractions (such as cats aka Dementors).

My life’s goal was to help a person live a better life.

When it finally came time for me to try on the Sorting Hat, fate had a surprise for me.

It came in the form of two visiting Wizards (Trainers) from Texas.

I learned I was still going to help someone and profoundly change their life, just not the person I thought. I was going to be a Service Dog…in Texas!

Guide Dogs for the Blind had carefully inspected and assessed Service Dogs, Inc. Both schools sent emissaries to visit each other’s campuses. They formed an alliance – in fact, Service Dogs, Inc. is the biggest Service Dog training organization that Guide Dogs for the Blind has chosen to team up with.

I and three of my fellow students traveled to Dripping Springs, Texas. Because I had already learned so much, I get to meet some potential matches later this month. Wow, I can’t wait!

Service Dogs, Inc. is proud to partner with Guide Dogs for the Blind in adopting some of their Career Change Dogs to supplement our training program. We are still committed to shelter and rescue dog adoption and look forward to combining these multiple sources of dogs to serve more clients and reduce their wait time.

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July E-news

Puppy Parade Quiz

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Eclair's In Training!

2008: Chris & JJ - We Look Out for Each Other

Me & The Sorting Hat

Bruce Brim and SD Jax

Monica Johnson and SD Avalon

Kenny Conley and SD Ruby

Teresa ‘Terrie” Heemsbergen and SD Ember

Bruce Brim and SD Jax

Blandina Dominguez and SD Chief

Amy Fey and SD Neo

Amy Fey and SD Neo

Claire Labry and HD Mocha

Joel Hook and SD Grace

Amy Fey and SD Neo

Monica Johnson and SD Avalon

Joel Hook and SD Grace