Joyce & Tootsie
"This is my story about my dog, Tootsie, my rescuer and lifesaver. About ten years ago, I had lost my home, my four dogs, my health and my family. This was a lot of loss, all at once. I needed something in my life that I could love and would love me back. Her name is Tootsie. She is a Toy Poodle, and she had a big job to do, to help me survive all these tragedies. She gave me a reason to get up in the morning, and she brought joy back into my life just to watch her play during the day.
"After rebuilding my life several years later, I noticed that she seemed to have the ability to bring joy wherever we went, as she is so accepting of everyone. So last summer, even though she was approaching the age of ten years, I decided to share her with others by helping her become a therapy dog to give back to the community the love that she has given to me. In the process I had decided to have her become a constant companion through becoming a service dog. So I contacted Gateway To Canine Partnerships in Salt Lake City, and Tootsie and I spent the summer in training. She was eager to please and so willing to learn everything we asked her to do. Her age really hasn't made any difference. She seemed to know what her purpose was going to be. My original desire was to give back to the community and certainly that has happened, but I also gained so much that I was unaware that I needed.
"My disabilities are post-polio syndrome, and I breathe through a trach. Over the years, as I had gone out in public, I used to make eye contact and smile as I did before I had the trach, but I soon noticed that most people didn't look any higher than my trach. I started to withdraw and spend my time in my own world. Since Tootsie has undergone this training and I take her out in public, I notice that people look at her then up into my eyes, making me feel that I am back to my old self.
"The first time I went with Tootsie to the mall, I started to cry as I realized how much I had withdrawn and how much I needed the personal contact with people. I find that people are more accepting of those with disabilities when the person who is disabled has an animal with them. People love animals and it gives them a starting point for a conversation and helps to demonstrate that we are all more alike than different.
"Not only has Tootsie worked with the disabled, as we make house calls and hospital visits, she has been successful in fulfilling the big job that she had from the time she was a puppy. I now feel that we will spend many more happy years together.
"I am hoping that this story will help others to see the value of their pets' love as it can help to overcome the many obstacles in life, and they don't have to go through it alone."
Update:
"On January 8, 2007 Tootsie joined all my other dogs I have loved during my life. She was a very special little one. Her service and ability to communicate her personality was outstanding. I can find comfort in knowing she is at peace in Doggy Heaven... running, playing and expressing herself."
Tootsie's picture is on the Bailey Memorial Wall at the GCP facility.
