Sherri & Roxy
"Most people have the misconception of a Service Dog being trained only for the blind or someone in a wheelchair. I hope that my story changes that misconception.
"I am a forty-four year old woman with various illnesses. These include Seizure Disorder, Systemic Lupus, Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. As you can tell I was a mess, then along came Roxy. I still have all these problems, but now she is here to help me out.
"I would like to tell you a little about Roxy first. She was born June 1, 2003 a beautiful Yellow Labrador. She was lost from her original owner, and was placed at the Animal Shelter. Lucky for me no one came to claim her. The wonderful people at Gateway To Canine Partnerships rescued and Wendy, the trainer, began her training.
Roxy and I have been together for two months.
"In that time she has learned to sense when I'm going to have a seizure, in time to warn me, and get help if needed. With Roxy I have more freedom to do the things I need to do like riding the bus, attend family functions, and have an all around fuller life. Roxy is amazing. She opens the door for me. She has even been trained to brace herself in order to help me off the ground, and if need be she will go for help. Roxy also retrieves keys, my medication, the phone, my reading glasses, pencils, pens, etc...
"Roxy has made it possible for me to go back to school, and do many of the things I was not able to do before getting her. We are training to become a working service dog team, and are able to go everywhere together, and I am even lucky enough that she sleeps with me. She is not just my service dog she's my best friend. In January of 2005 my father passed away. Roxy was there with all the love and moral support that anyone could ask for. I know if it hadn't been for her I would never have made it through the whole ordeal. She has been my Lifesaver. I am truly grateful to have a program available that enables those of us with different disabilities to have a quality of life that is more fulfilling."
-Sherri Shepherd
Sherri passed away in 2006 due to complications related to her disability. Roxy is still providing a valuable service to her family and is a constant reminder of the joy she brought to Sherri.
