James the Wonder Service Dog

Maplewood Flat Coated Retrievers & Cardigan Welsh Corgis

Sharon, MA

katrin@maplewooddog.com

James the Wonder Super-Duper Service Dog!!!

August 2007

I would like to brag on my 5 year old rescue boy, James. It’s not an obedience, or rally or agility or tracking or anything brag that will ever get him a ‘title’ or recognition anywhere but in my heart.

As some of you know James is my ‘owner-trained’ service dog. This doesn’t mean he gets any less specialized training than any school trained service dog. He was rescued from a terrible situation and life when he was 15 weeks old, by me, then living in Pittsburgh and in college (luckily living off campus in a dog friendly apartment). I am high functioning autistic and from the 1^st day James came home he knew his calling. Taking care of mom. When I quit school due to health issues and moved back home to MA when James was about 10 months, I asked my doctor if, because of my issues and illnesses, if I trained him within the ADA specs, could he be my service dog? I got a resounding yes. So at age 15 months, James became my ‘official’ service dog. (before then he had already had extensive obedience and agility training and living in the city, had already started his ‘public access’ training)

This dog has done many amazing things for me over the years. From getting me successfully through airports, even as far as Japan, to getting me through Walmart and Stop and Shop (seemingly simple places for those neurotypicals, or non-autistics). James has also helped me train numerous other service/assistance dogs for people. His calm demeanor that handles every challenge thrown at him with confidence and care for his partner (me), gives these newer, inexperienced dogs, the confidence to learn their own calling and help their owner.

Well these past 2 days James went above and beyond the call of duty, put in a situation that he has never been. I have been admitted to the ER before for certain illnesses, but never for longer than 6 hours with James at my side. This time, on Thursday I went to the ER at my neurologist’s suggestion for a 7 day cluster migraine. I was in PAIN (as those who have had them can imagine). None of my regular tricks were working- specific migraine meds, acupuncture, chiropractic etc and finally I came to realize my last resort. So at 9am Thursday morning James, my gram and I trotted into the local ER.

James stayed by my side, for over 9 hours in that ER, while my stress level kept going up and up. He kept his head, remembered his training and tried all of his tricks to calm me down. As many autistics, I hate being touched, guess what the do in the ER, touch you. Oh well for me, thank god for James. He acted as a true gentleman, getting on the bed when needed, getting off when health care professionals needed him too. He was perfect and acted in a manner that would make any owner proud. Had had nurses fawning over him, aids trying to bring him dinner (high class roast beef I will say, which was actually good as I totally forgot about his dinner, I fed it to him). He remembered too, no outside petting without mom’s permission. He was perfect.

But, oh no, James nor my day was over. At 5pm the local ER sent me home still with a grade 10 migraine, saying they couldn’t help me. Very discouraging to hear especially when in so much pain. So I called my neurologist, who sent me to the hospital ER where he works in Boston and is very well known, promising me, they that they could alleviate my agony.

So back in the car James and I hopped and my mother drove us in rush hour, sun set traffic to this ER. By the time we got there I was in 20/10 pain. Not good. After 2hr wait and me going into ‘autism shut down’ James followed my mom as trained to our room and was once again exceptional. We spent from 9:30pm to 1am in the ER and were then transferred to the neurology ward when the ER methods didn’t work. We did not get discharged from Neurology until 7pm tonight, with me PAIN FREE!!!! (after again a week of hell!). The entire time James was perfect. He slept on the bed with me. He led me from place to place. Was polite and gentlemanly to every nurse, dr, aid etc we met. Was great with my mom, going out to potty (and yes I did remember his food for this time, thank heavens for him!).

He now has the label in this house as “Best Flat-Coat in the Land!!!” (sorry Niche, your day will come)

I don’t know what I would have done these past 2 days if this little black rescue pup hadn’t come into my life 5 years ago. He came with a purpose and a job, one I didn’t even know I needed filled. He is exceptional at his work. And I know he will continue to do everything he can, to make my life easier, simply because that he feels, it is his calling in life.

Thank you James and thank you to who ever didn’t have the brains to realize your potential and who allowed me to take you home that hot August day in 2002.

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