This story comes from a lady who’s service animal was born in Montana. It is just a little glimpse into the life of someone who utilizes the assistance that a service animal can provide.

My name is Morgan Henderson. Our family lives in Oakland, Ca and includes Thaddea, my partner of 30yrs, Leigh, our12-year-old Border Collie mix and Tango, my 2-year-old Golden Retriever service dog.

From birth I’ve had severe orthopedic complications that called for various medical interventions, including multiple surgeries, traction, braces and crutches. For much of my adult life I have also walked with a cane and trekking poles in addition to needing crutches again from time to time. Three years ago it became apparent I could no longer work because of pain, balance and mobility problems. Presently I work a little, teaching Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement public classes. Most of my time is spent taking care of our home and large vegetable garden, making art and photography and walking, as much as I am able, in the woods near our home.

Despite my physical limits I had always been active and not the type to rein myself in from experiencing life. As mobility became more difficult and more painful, I had to really think about what I did and how I did it.

Thaddea encouraged me to look for a service dog. Leigh, our older-ly dog concurred. Canine Companions for Independence agreed that I was a good candidate but they had a long wait list. What to do?

I did what I said I would not do: cruise the web for a pup. I was looking for a young dog that was already crate-, leash- and house-trained. As I knew that level of training would be beyond my physical ability.

On my quest I met some wonderful breeders. Yet, when I mentioned that I needed a dog that could think and that enjoyed learning and doing, they often weren’t too sure what I was describing or what they could do for me. Florence Mattiaci (Mattiaci Golden Retrievers in Garrison and Bozeman, Montana; www.mattiaci.com) seemed to know just what I needed. We had several helpful phone conversations and she sent emails, pictures, and answered my questions. Then she picked out a young dog for me: a 6month-old Golden boy named Tango.

Tango arrived the week before Thanksgiving 2008 and we knew from the start that he was the right pup. He came out of his travel crate tail wagging. He was a bit shy, yet also self-assured and interested in all of us and his new surroundings. Leigh welcomed him and Tango became a family member immediately.

The next step was to transform Tango from a wonderful pup to real service dog. Through the East Bay SPCA, I learned of Rita Martinez of Clickin’ Canines. Rita met us in January 2009 to evaluate Tango. She found him to be a good candidate for public access work and very trainable for assistance work. We have been training weekly with Rita ever since. We do our homework: practice, practice, and practice, everyday. And we play lots of learning games.

Tango has learned many tasks. He undoes the Velcro on my sandals and pulls off my socks. He helps in the kitchen by pulling open low cabinet doors and pulling out shelves (see the movie clip). Tango hands me anything I drop and he carries whatever my essentials are in that moment; things like a small paintbrush, water bottle, camera or wallet.

Tango loves to garden, carrying the tools and hopping up to look into the 3-foot-high raised beds. He rewards himself with a strawberry or three! Tango even enjoys doing the laundry with me (see movie clip). He tugs the laundry down the hall and puts it in the washer or the dryer. Then takes it out when it’s done. He does everything but fold!

On the street, Tango carries a knapsack for our stuff and helps me stand steady if I’m wobbly. He enjoys learning and is very willing. That’s good because we still have more to learn as the Assistance Dog Public Access Certification test is quite exacting.

A big part of the training is for both Tango and me to adhere to a standard of conduct that allows us the freedom to go where I need to go whether that is airplanes, stores or offices. For example, Tango has to be self-contained in the grocery store: no sniffing the meat case! In a café he has to sit quietly under the table and not “floor surf” for food morsels, which is not easy for a dog.

Training a service dog isn’t like training a family pet, a show dog or a hunting dog. Tango has to be alert to our surroundings and to me and my needs. He has to be quiet in the library and he has to watch out for a slick sidewalk or steep steps. To get to that point the trainer has to understand my needs and to train both of us to meet those needs. Many trainers are very good with dogs but don’t necessarily have the understanding to note my abilities and what I physically can’t do in the actual training. Rita is able to focus on what I need and how to make that fun for both Tango and for me.

Out in public, people we meet often don’t know what a service dog is or what one does. Many people have only seen guide dogs for the blind or dogs helping people in wheelchairs. So, we are asked many questions: What does he do? Can he make dinner? Can I give him a cookie? That last one is Tango’s favorite because the answer is “yes.”

I like to answer these questions when I can because I believe it’s important for people to meet dogs that help people with mobility limitations, seizures, diabetes and other conditions that benefit from service dog assistance. If I’m not feeling well or we have a lot to do, I will say that we can’t talk right now.

Over time, Tango has built up his own friendships in the community. The local jeweler invites him in for a cookie; the librarian comes around the desk and shakes his paw or high-5’s him. That brings children and adults over to do the same. And they all learn not to engage with him when he’s working and to check with me first.

In the end, I’m Tango’s priority and he is mine.