Maureen's Offerings

Ally by Maureen's side


Ally was found in a local animal shelter as a pup and was selected for the service dog program the day before she was to be euthanized.

For years Maureen used the assistance of dog guides in order to independently navigate where she was going safely. After she became a wheelchair user however, her beloved guide was unable to work for her. It was a sad day when she had to return her to the school where she had been trained in California.

For years since then Maureen dreamed and longed to have another working dog. She applied to several dog guide schools who said they could not assist her because of her quadriplegia. Than, thinking a service dog would be just as helpful, she contacted several service dog schools who train dogs to work with people who have physical disabilities. They too, turned her down insisting that a totally blind person could not make use of a service dog. She was giving up hope of having that special bond that can only be found in the relationship between a working dog and it's master when she heard of a school right in her back yard, Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota (HSDM).

This school was willing to think outside the box. Less than six months after sending in her application she was given Ally, a black lab golden retriever mix. Ally has been with Maureen for a year and has changed her life. She retrieves dropped objects, carries things, takes off Maureen's jacket, opens doors, hands things to clerks in stores and at the bank where Maureen can not reach up to the counter, and is a loyal, loving companion and friend.

If your school, group, or organization would like to know more about service dogs what they do? How they work? Contact Maureen.

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