My name is Callie and I have been partnered with Elf, my service dog and best friend. I was born with Cerebral Palsy, which makes daily life difficult. Growing up, the hardest thing about having CP was not being able to keep up with my able bodied peers. I couldn't run on the playground with my classmates, so all my peers looked at me as different. When I was twelve, my mother saw an article about KSDS in the Kansas City Star. After researching a variety of other organizations, we decided to call KSDS and request an application.

Having a dog in high school was an adjustment in and of itself. The other students didn't show much respect for us as a team at first. I wasn't used to standing up for myself, but now I had to stand up for my dog too... and Doc, my previous service dog, gave me the confidence to do so! This was a breakthrough for me!

Elf, my current service dog, helps me retrieve dropped objects, transfers in and out of my wheelchair, opening doors, and tugging items off like jackets, pants, and socks. With Elf's help, I can be more independent which was most apparent when my parents went to Australia for a month last year. They would never have been able to feel confident with me staying by myself without Elf there.

I can't thank KSDS enough for all their efforts in helping people with disabilities become more independent through highly trained canine assistants. Having a service dog isn't easy, it takes work and commitment. I have to take care of Elf so he can take care of me. That alone gives me a reason to get up in the morning.

Mike returned to KSDS this fall for a successor dog after recently losing his KSDS guide dog, Blossom.

With Blossom Mike played golf one day a week, had bingo and dinner at one of the VA centers. He traveled to Chicago to take a boat ride on the Chicago River and attend the symphony, a baseball game, and a Bears football game. After losing Blossom, Mike felt limited because he had to use a white cane.

He hopes be more active again with Beau his new partner. He plans to take a computer class and attend more events since Beau will give him more independence.

Mike was one of the first guide students at KSDS to receive a new Kapten plus gps device to help him on his daily routes outside his home. This new device verbally provides Mike with current locations, route instructions, real time exploration and virtual map readings. KSDS was able to start providing these through a grant from the Kansas Lions Sight Foundation.

Before he received a guide dog, Mike considered himself a “loner” and hard to know. He believes having Blossom started a lot of conversations, as people in waiting rooms and other places would inquire about his dog. He also has become more acquainted with his neighbors and they often come to visit. Mike has made lots of friends through his former guide dog, Blossom, and looks forward to making new friends with Beau at his side.

Beau and Mike were specially chosen to work together. KSDS tries to match personalities and other qualities to select the best team. Mike thanks his trainer, Deb Tegethoff, and the KSDS staff for everything to help team up with his new partner. The guide dog program at KSDS proved to be just what Mike needed to lead a fuller and more independent life.