Testimonials

I have schizophrenia. I have a service dog and his name is Nick. He is my best friend. I have never felt such a bond before with anyone, including humans. It is amazing what this relationship has done for me. At first I was so phobic I could not go to the grocery store by myself. I would call the store and pay them to shop for me. I hated it because they always picked out the wrong items. After getting Nick and using him as a service dog, slowly things changed. Not only did my parents notice a change in me but I started to go shopping - alone with NICK!! Suddenly I had a change in my condition - almost a total remission. I began to function so well that I could now do things on my own. It was at this time I began to retire Nick. I remained stable for over a year.

Suddenly once again my symptoms emerged. I really began to suffer with paranoia, voices and panic attacks. I started taking a lot of Valium and Haldol. Despite the medication I began to suffer and considered suicide. The only thing that kept me alive was my loving bond with Nick. It was at this low point that my psychiatric nurse suggested that I un-retire Nick. I don't know where to start. But my trainer, Susan, suggested that I take Nick to a pet store. So one day a friend and I began the walk uphill to getting Nick back in shape.

Almost instantly a calm came over me. Nick was better than valium and Haldol. Even my psychiatric nurse noticed the change in me. Now, I am doing well again.
But this time I think I will keep Nick in my life - ALWAYS!!

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Colton's teachers say, "I just see a lot more confidence in Colton and also a lot more motivation to go out and experience new things and experience his class."

Colton's mom says, "At school he was very tense very nervous and he would get sometimes very aggressive. We tried different medications and nothing really worked."