LILLY

Hi Liz,

It’s been a bit since we spoke.

We go three to four times a week to class for service dog training. We were accepted into an official program in April and it has been a lot of work but life changing to have her with me.

We are also official members of Furry Friends. It’s an organization who does visiting dogs, cats and mini horses as therapy in nursing homes, hospitals etc. I stay close to home and we go monthly to visit the adult

daycare here in Gilroy. They love seeing her and I often dress her in costume which makes them happy. Lilly goes from person to person and is so good while they live in her. In November we are taking a class for reading buddies so we can go to the library and kids can read to her. (hope they don’t make her much smarter or I won’t be able to keep up with her) lol.

I have learned to do much of her grooming myself. She is high maintenance when her hair is longer but I really prefer it that way. Daily brushing at night prevents the matts. Plus it’s great bonding. She loves it. When she gets too long I have a clippers and scissor kit and just have s beauty parlor day.

Lilly has turned out to be the most special thing in my life. She is with me always and never leaves me. She won’t even let me go to the bathroom alone. Lol. When I shower she closes the door and lays down in the same spot each day till I finish. When I let her outside, she stays for a bit but when done she opens my door and lets herself in. If only she could close the door behind herself.

She was evaluated for service work and turned out to be the best. When she is working she is the perfect lady. Listens and follows commands on cue. I was diagnosed with PTSD quite some time ago and she is my lifesaver. She has changed everything for me even though we still have much to learn together. The program is supposed to take about 48 weeks till you are certified as a team but you are really training for life.

Lori