It was over a decade ago that I had heard about Canine Companions. I had just adopted my first pet ever and thinking of how I could help her rescue in a small way, I donated a little of my money. I did not have much so I wanted to make sure my donation had the biggest impact. It just so happened that the month I donated, an anonymous individal was matching donations and giving that to an organization called Canine Companions for Independence (now Canine Companions). 

After doing some research on the organization, I decided this was my chance. I donated $10 or $15 each time this came up. 

Some years later, when I started to have some health issues that impacted my independence, a friend suggested I serioulsy look into a service dog. I remembered Canine Companions and looked to see if I qualified, only to be discouraged by the wait and difficulty to even be selected. I ultimately made the decision to pursue another path because I had told myself I was not deserving nor would I qualify. 

Fast forward to the summer of 2022. My then service dog (now retired) Griffey was struggling with his severe allergies and admittedly, having lost a lot of his training during the pandemic (many factors involved), I had to consider what I would do with Griffey's retirement.

The thing is, service dogs do not have a long working life. Many asked me why I was thinking about Griffey's retirement so early in his career. My response? It takes, on average, 18 to 24 months to be placed with a service dog and if I waited for Griffey's actual retirement to apply, it would be too late. 

Griffey was only 6 in 2022 but for a dog who was severely allergic to everything and having done a lot of mobilty work early in his life, I knew I had to think of his health and prioritize it. I had looked into some other options for my successor service dog when I got discouraged and gave up. Until by chance, I saw an email from Canine Companions. I remembered their organization but still convinced I was not going to qualify, I half-heartedly submitted my name for an application. 

I had gotten an email saying I qualified and could move on to the next step but left that email in my inbox for another couple of months. When I finally got around to completing the application, I was surprised to be called back the next week for a phone screening and then not long after, be invited to campus for the last step of the application process.

I was stunned to receive the notice that, in March 2023, I was officially placed on the waitlist for a service dog from Canine Companions. 

Then, on my birthday in 2024, I got the call that I had been waiting for. Not long after, right before the start of the 2024 - 2025 school year, I met my match. 

Gordie has been instrumental in my life. He has helped me connect with a community that I did not know I needed, to meet people that understand the struggle of being different. 

Gordie is continuing the work that his brofur started with me back in 2022. I was working towards my doctoral degree and decided then that I would make sense of what never did make sense to me. Why me, I would ask. I went from active, independent, and incredibly driven to someone who was recluse and isolated. My dissertation is on accessibilty in STEM, as I knew the challenges I faced as a scientist with a disability. Since then, I have been honored to continue the work with the Smithsonian Science Education Center and EnCorps STEM Teacher Program, amongst other incredible individuals and groups. It takes a lot to fight a fight that sometimes does not reap its rewards immediately. It takes a lot of fight to not want to throw in the towel. 

Having Gordie by my side has allowed me to continue even on the days where it seemingly seems impossible. Canine Companions, by granting me an expertly trained service dog, has helped build my confidence back up, giving me that pep in my step and spark to nerd out on science again. 

This year's DogFest is a bit more special to me: Gordie and I have been selected as the client speaker. It is also the 50th anniversary of Canine Companions. 

Help me fundraise to give another individual the chance at independence, in the form of a wet snoot, a wagging tail, and four paws.