Success Stories
Jaci and Jetta

Jaci and Jetta were partnered in June 1998. They currently reside in Tacoma, Washington. Jaci uses a wheelchair and a walker due to congenital anomalies, severe arthritis, fibromyalgia, and Meniere’s Syndrome.

Jetta helps her partner by being a human-like extension doing such things as helping her reach, lift, pull, brace, and retrieve. Jetta is both a walker dog and a wheelchair puller.

Because of the Meniere’s Syndrome, Jaci has no sense of balance. Jetta helps her maintain her balance while walking, getting on and off the floor, changing positions from sitting to standing and vice versa.

When the team graduated, Jetta knew 64 basic commands. As Jaci’s physical abilities deteriorate, Jetta has had to learn to take on more and more responsibilities and will continue to do so. She currently knows 123 commands ranging from basic obedience commands (head down) to assisting with laundry (up drop it in the washer) and rolling her partner over in bed every two hours at night (move me).

Jaci is the Northwest Coordinator for New Life Mobility Assistance Dogs program. She helps to educate persons with disabilities about what service dogs are, what they do and how they can make their life easier. She sends prospective recipients to the program to be teamed up with assistance dogs. She also volunteers her time taking Jetta to schools, businesses, and public functions to teach the general public about assistance dogs, what they do for their disabled partners, and how others should behave towards the team when they are out in public.

Nine months after being partnered with Jetta, two of Jaci’s dreams came true. She was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Washington 1999 and then the team went on to become finalists at the Ms. Wheelchair America 2000 pageant. Jaci has traveled extensively during her reign as Ms. Wheelchair Washington. Her platform has been public and private education concerning service dogs.

Jaci and Jetta won the 1999 Delta Society Beyond Limits Award for Service and Therapy Animals for exemplary teamwork demonstrating the power of the human, animal bond. She also belongs to the Adaptables and the Brat Pack which are groups that bring people with disabilities into mainstream life.

With Jetta by her side, Jaci will continue to fulfill her dreams and aspirations. With a long future ahead of them, the team will be a shining example of what determination, dedication, and hard work can achieve.

UPDATE: After death of Jetta, Jaci teamed with Jasmine.