Success Stories
Ruth and Rockie

I have been disabled about three years. The first time I went to Hanes Mall, (after being taken out of work) I realized how limited I was. Going to malls has always been my favorite thing to do. My husband would have to slow down and wait for me. I panicked, when I realized the door was so far away, the car even farther. After that I just sat at home and did only what I could around the house. I was so depressed and sorry for my self, and to add to that my Father died.

The next month I bought a Boxer. I didn't feel alone at home any more. I just sat with my dog and read the Bible, it was all I wanted to do. I read it all the way through, bought audio tapes of the whole Bible and read it through again while listening to the tapes. It changed my life. There is nothing like reading it for yourself.

By then Rockie was a year old. I was more relaxed and had more patience than I ever had before in my life. So I bought some dog training books. Then life really began to change.

I would take her out to walk but I was scared to get too far from the car. I kept thinking of the time I fell and broke my jaw bone. The more I went out with her the more confident I became. I had a strong five inch lead that actually helped my balance. Many times I leaned on her to keep from falling. It was a natural for her to help me up and down steps and off a chair.

I taught her to open and close doors, open the refrigerator, get soda and close it. She turns lights on and off, gets my shoes, my leg brace, the phone and anything I drop.

I knew that some way, somehow, I was going to make an assistance dog out of her. But I didn't know where to call. I called pet stores about it and they knew nothing. I called the vet and they told me to see Karen Brown. I was so homebound I didn't even know we had an assistance dog trainer right here in town! What a perfect name she had chosen for her company: New Life Mobility Assistance Dogs.

I have had a blast ever since I meet Karen. I have traveled to places I never thought I could go to again. I traveled along as they trained other dogs --- like Karen said, "the more the merrier." We hit all the malls and exciting places. She taught me how to train Rockie to go left or right on command, pull a wheelchair, be a perfect walker dog, exchange money at a register, and to sit-stay.

Yes, I can walk better with a big dog by my side to hold to. It gives me balance and confidence that no cane could ever do. I wheelchair the big stores and malls. When you are weak, you feel vulnerable, dependent, and insecure. Rockie has changed all that for me. I never thought a dog could do so much for me, or that I could become so attached to her.

Note: Ruth Sturgill is now the Vice President of NLMAD.