Maryanne and Jac

My decision to pursue the avenues of acquiring a service dog agency came after a year of poor health issues. I fell during a routine transfer and fractured my femur. During that fall my wheelchair, with my telephone in the front pocket, rolled away from me. I was home alone; therefore, I needed to crawl across the floor with a severely broken leg to get my phone and call 911. The fall caused me a lack of confidence and fears of falling again. Genesis Assistance Dogs was referred to me by a neighbor. After meeting Jeff, Charlie and the other members of the Board, I knew I was in good hands.

I was paired with JAC, a brilliant and handsome black Labrador. Our personalities were a perfect match. I worked with Jac’s trainer one day a week for approximately four months, and he was trained to assist me by using specific commands. JAC’s companionship and assistance has given me the confidence back which I had lost. He can retrieve my phone when it falls; find my phone when it is misplaced; pick up my water bottles, keys and even my walkie-talkie at school when I drop it. His list of talents goes on and on. JAC goes to middle school every day with me and assists me in living an independent, confident, and fulfilling life.

Thank you Genesis for giving me big black JAC!

Maryanne

T-7 paraplegic