Rosie is more than just "man's best friend," she is my companion, my support, and one of the smartest canines most people will ever meet. See, Rosie is not your average dog. She accompanies me 24-7. Ever since Rosie was six months old, she has played an integral role in my life.

Rosie is an assistance dog. She came to me via an organization in Santa Rosa California called Loving Paws Assistance Dogs. The trainers at Loving Paws work to match children with disabilities to dogs who can help with everyday needs; thus, in addition to being my companion, Rosie is my hands.

I came upon Rosie in what I consider a stroke of incredible fortune. It was one of those instances where I was simply in the right place at exactly the right time.

I had traveled to San Francisco, just months after a fall which left me paralyzed, to continue therapy through the spinal cord injury ward of the Shriners Hospital. I was interested in finding myself a service animal, but was not having much luck. Every service dog organization in the U.S. seemed to have a waiting list of at least three years--by the time I reached San Francisco, I was at the end of most of them.

After spending some time at Shriners, I inquired as to whether or not anyone knew of a service dog organization in San Francisco--this was where I got lucky. I learned that there was a woman named Linda Jennings who was attempting to get a new training group off the ground and she needed candidates for the program. My mom and I immediately set up an appointment with Linda, who quickly arranged to make a trip to San Francisco with three of her dogs to visit us. I remember watching Linda take her dogs through some of their commands; opening a drawer, picking up a toy, and putting the toy into Linda's hand. We went into my room, and Linda proceeded to ask Mom and I a few questions about me, my disability and resulting physical limitations, and our family. The idea was to learn more about me so that she could find a dog who would meet my needs. Linda left that day after giving us an application and answering our questions about service dogs.

I left Shriners on November 18th of 1994. I kept in touch with Linda, answering questions that she had and keeping up on her progress in finding a dog to suit me. I think it was mid December when I received two pictures from Linda. One was a black lab named Ziggy, and the other was a black and white border collie mix named Rosie. In June of 1995, my Mom and I returned to Shriners with the intention of attending a two week long clinic that would teach us how to work with a service dog. One of the dogs we would be working with was Rosie the border collie.

The clinic focused on teaching my mom and I the commands we would need to know, helping us learn how to give commands, and showing us how to deal with my dog in public. The last day of class was dedicated to a final test and then a graduation ceremony for Rosie and I.

Since my first weeks with Rosie, we have gone everywhere together. Rosie sat through debates on the Odyssey in my Senior English class, she was the first dog to ever graduate from Whitefish High School, and she walked away from my mom with me on our first day of college at the University of Montana. Now, Rosie is an honorary member of the University of Montana Advocates, she gives tours of the campus with me, and when I go back to Whitefish High School as a recruiter for the University, she will be at my side. When we cross campus, as many students say "hi" to Rosie as do to me. In fact, as I sit writing this essay, Rosie is lying on my bed watching. Rosie has been a well appreciated aide in my transition from living at home, to living independently and meeting new people.

Since writing this essay almost three years ago, I have graduated from college and started working towards my teaching certificate. Rosie and I live in our own apartment and are enjoying the independent life. Rosie turned ten on August 27th, 2003; her vet claims she has many miles left in her paws, and retains the health and spunk of many dogs half her age.

August 7th, 2005

Once again, it has been a few years since I updated this page, and again, Rosie and I have moved; this time, I bought a house. Rosie loves having her own back yard, and I am busy making this home my own. I will student teach next spring, and begin looking for a teaching job around town. As we approach Rosie's twelfth birthday, she is finally slowing down, and we are facing her retirement.

I am slowly letting Rosie stay at home when I leave, and Rosie is (very) slowly learning to stay behind. Sometime next year I will get a new service dog, and Rosie will be here to help that dog learn the ropes. I am looking forward with a tiny bit of saddness and a great deal of gratitude toward this incredible dog who has taken such good care of me for so many years. I know that now it is my turn to take care of her for awhile.

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