This Weeks Retrieves

For those of you not familiar with what a service dog may actually do for an individual with a disability, I thought I would write about what Misty has retrieved for me this week.

Every service animal is different and trained specifically for his or her partner.  Misty received several months training to specifically address my needs, in addition to the two years she was in the training program.

Without her assistance I would have to ask someone for assistance or pay someone attendant care hours, to complete the following:

1. Picking up my fork from the floor and placing it on my tray ( all retrieves end up on my tray ).

2. Retrieving the remote control for the television 

3. Retrieving my reach flosser, yes I know from her mouth to mine..

4. Retrieving paper from my printer

5. Retrieving my baseball hat

6. Retrieving my scarf and winter hat

7. Opening my bedroom door

8. Closing my back door on my house

These are just a few of the ways Misty makes me more independent.  Plus the fact she does it all with a wag of her tail for a carrot or cheerio.  It's so good to have a working service dog back in the house.