"I was amazed that the dog was so well trained. I marveled at all the work it took - the years of training, the time and commitment of the trainers and puppy raisers to develop a stable, eager, willing and loving partner who would open up my life in ways I could not imagine. Shortly after receiving Grady, other people began to comment on the changes in me - that I was using my arms more, that my confidence was much improved and that my social skills were better after rather isolating myself in my apartment. I was wearing street clothes again instead of the sweats I had worn during rehab."

"I found an Internet e-mail list server about service dogs and was introduced to a whole new world of dog people. I found I could actually make comments and suggestions that helped others, while their comments and suggestions helped me. I felt like I was picking up where I had left off! So, besides the actual work that my service dog did for me, the whole picture of my life was new and improved as a result of my new partner."

"Some of the things my service dog did to help with my daily routine were to pick up dropped items, help me keep my apartment clean by putting things into the trash, the kitchen sink, the laundry basket, and on my bed for my attendant to put away. I could order things from a catalog by myself because if I dropped it, the dog would pick it up. I could order a hamburger at a fast food restaurant and, with the help from the dog, get it from the counter, put it in my lap, carry it home and put it on the table to eat, anytime I wanted to! The dog could open my locked apartment door in case the key was forgotten , or to let an attendant in, or in case of an emergency. I could clean out the refrigerator with the help of the dog. I could rearrange the cans on the pantry shelves. I could set out things for supper. I could get a frozen zip-lock bag of pizza from the freezer if my attendant did not show up to help prepare a meal. My life did not have to stop because I had dropped a paper that needed to be read or signed. I could get my shawl out of the closet if an unexpected trip came up and the dog could help pull the shawl off when we got back home making it easier for the person who drove me."

"I had Grady for 5½ years before she retired. I have a second service dog now, a yellow lab named Dory, who is very sweet and loving. She has spent many hours curled up on a hospital bed next to me while I was hospitalized and bed-bound for several weeks. She did not stay in the hospital with me (although she could have since she was a service dog) but a friend brought her to visit me often. It was the highlight of the day! Having that warm body next to me, her sweet face and eyes so close, and her kisses being doled out as fast as she could, was heaven! Her presence would lift my spirits that would last for several days. Maybe that’s why I healed so well!"

"Sure, I have to worry about getting the dog fed, outside to potty, groomed, brushed, nails clipped, vet visits, medicine given or put on - which is fun when the attendant has no idea what to do around a dog or is afraid of them! I have had to teach and teach and teach people what to do and what not to do around a service dog. It is very frustrating and sometimes my patience just runs out and I'm not very friendly anymore. But I do try and at least be civil after saying "please, don't pet the dog!" for the hundredth time. But this added stress is far outweighed by the independence, confidence, love and companionship that is given in return."

"So, what does having a service dog mean to me? Many, many things - some which can be put down in writing, but more cannot be expressed with words, and yet so evident as another day goes with another task accomplished, worked through as a team. A meal is eaten when needed. A package is bought when wanted. The door to the computer lab is opened when no one is around and that paper must be turned in tomorrow! But even more important than that, when loneliness or depression rears its ugly head, there are those bright eyes and that warm tongue to help lick away the tears and keep the darkness from being quite so dark".

It is the hope and prayer of everyone at Carolina Canines For Service, Inc. that each recipient of a service dog trained though our program will experience not only enhanced independence, but the same kind of life-changing love, acceptance and companionship that this service dog recipient experienced and so eloquently shared with her story. Our thanks, love and prayers to Dana and her service dogs Grady and Dory!