Michael and Reid

Teamed Winter, 2002

"Prior to my diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) 8 years ago, I was always involved in sports and had a degree in Athletic Training at SDSU with hopes of attending Stanford and becoming a Physician's Assistant. I was working at the time as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in Scripps Memorial Hospital Emergency Room. Unfortunately, these plans were abruptly changed with my diagnosis. Although I was never in denial, accepting this disease with an unknown cause and cure at the prime of my life was difficult to come to terms with. I equated acceptance with giving in and ultimately giving up. My hopes and dreams hinged on a cure. After six years with my walking and balance progressively getting worse, to the degree that I now needed a cane for walking, I realized that this was no way to live and knew it was time to get on with my life! In my search for ways to improve my life, I wondered if a service dog could become a moving cane. I began searching the Internet. When I found a small local program called Paws'itive Teams, I contacted them and the pieces began falling into place, resulting in a match with a Golden Retriever named Reid ... just my size with a strong drive to please! Our intense training began in September, and Reid became my roommate by Thanksgiving. We are now a certified team, committed to each other. At the time I applied, I could only imagine what a service dog could do for me but this experience has resulted in ten fold my expectations. The combination of the physical and psychosocial benefits is unmatched by anything I imagined. Physically, Reid helps me walk and can adjust his pace to mine which is especially valuable when walking up or down hills, curbs, and stairs. My goal is to continue to walk with Reid's assistance, maintaining my muscle strength and nerve conduction, thus avoiding a wheelchair. He can also retrieve anything I need, which helps me save valuable energy needed for walking. Since we began working together, I fall less often and have avoided the need for a foot brace. Even better, with Reid I never feel alone, We go everywhere together, and his loyalty and unconditional love are my best medicine. He is truly this man's best friend. I now focus on Reid, not the MS." Michael