My service animals

April 29, 2004 I got Brodie. She really does a lot for me. Not only is she a great companion she picks up things that I drop, opens and closes doors she can bring me her leash and vest, bring me the telephone if the electricity goes off so I can call for help and many other things. I got her from Pro Train and I highly recommend them if your looking for Obedience Dog Training, Protection, Police and Service Dog Training. They also teach classes if you're interested in becoming a dog trainer.

Chippertue's World

I lost Brodie on January 18, 2009, to bone cancer, man I miss her.

Now I lay me down to slee
I pray the Lord, my soul, to keep
if I should live another day
I pray the Lord to guide my way
if I should die before I wake
I pray the Lord, my soul, to take.

A Dog's Plea

Treat me kindly, my beloved friend for no heart in all this world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.
Do not break my spirit with a stick for though I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail, when your footsteps fall upon my waiting ear.
Please take me inside when it is cold and wet for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter elements.
I ask no greater glory than to have the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.
Keep my pan filled with water for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.
Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.
And my friend, when I am old and no longer enjoy good health and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going, I am not having fun.
Please see that my trusting life is taken gently.
I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.

''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?''

“dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''

On November 8th, 2009 I was invited to Canine Companions for Independence in Santa Rosa to be trained and bring home my new service dog, the dog was already trained and now it was my turn. It was a very long process made shorter by a lady that I met waiting in line at Chili’s restaurant, Jan. She said she was a member of the Lions Club and she would like to help me out with the process of getting a service dog... within a week I had an application.

When I got to the campus I was extremely nervous, this is the first time I have been away from my house for longer than two days. After settling in and on the second day I really felt like I was with family, everybody made me feel welcome and went out of their way to accommodate my special needs. Within a matter of days I was instantly made to feel right at home by the staff, volunteers, trainers, and the team trainers themselves at the Canine Companions for Independence campus.

I met my fellow team leaders and their families and felt even more at home, you could not find a better group of people. I remember every morning passing through the dining hall and everybody always had a big smile. Whenever I needed help anybody and everybody was right there eager to assist me in any way, definitely how our family should be.

I stayed there for two weeks and really learned a lot, the dog was already trained and now it was my turn. By the third day, I met my possible match and he stayed in my dorm with me for the rest of the time, it really was a perfect match.

I not only came away with an awesome service dog and best friend but a new family I will cherish for the rest of my life. Our team and our trainers...

Robby and I met a lot of new friends that we will continue to stay in touch with for the rest of our lives... our new family.

We met our awesome trainers Lauren, Andrea, and James. They were all so patient and helpful with each individual’s special needs training...

Pre-match, I already love him!

We really work well together

Getting comfortable with each other

Team training graduation

Going home

Saying goodbye to Robby's puppy raisers

Bonding time, my favorite

Bonding time, my favorite

On July 23, 2017, I was invited back to CCI to get a successor service dog, I can't believe Robby is already 10 and it's time for him to retire. I was given the choice to rehome Robby or keep him for the rest of his life, of course, our bond has gotten so strong there is no way I could rehome him.

Part of team training is getting up every day during the weekday and going to class from 9 AM until 5 PM. We all go out on outings to restaurants, grocery/hardware stores,  The pet store and a trip to the Charles Schwartz Museum and the final test is to the mall where the team instructors see how well we work with our new match.

Unfortunately, when I went to team training for Robby I had a stage for pressure sore so I had to go back to bed immediately after class and I didn't get to hang out and get to know the other team training members. I also had to bring Robby back to CCI for a couple of weeks because I ended up in the hospital in need of flap surgery. After six weeks of laying flat in a hospital bed, I got to go home but I was still bedridden for another two weeks so I didn't get to really bond with Robby, he was bonding more with my caregivers.

Chippertue's World

Robby's fourth Birthday

Reunion with Robby's two sisters