Success Stories
Jessica and Abby

My  name is Jessica Szczygiel and I am 16 years old. I live in Oak Ridge TN with my mom and dad.

 I was born with a congenital disease called Arthrogryposis which affects the muscles, bones, and joints in my legs, hips, and left arm. This limits my mobility and is the reason why I would like to have an assistance dog.

I absolutely love animals. I have three dogs and they are my best friends. I have developed a very special bond with my dogs. I spend a lot of time with them every day. I like to get online and surf the web and chat with some of my online friends when I get the chance. I also love music. I listen to music all the time and I like to sing to my favorite songs. I am home schooled at this time, but attended public school for nine years.

I am a very optimistic person. I have always kept a positive outlook on life even though I have had numerous operations and have spent weeks at a time at the hospital, mostly at the Shriner's Hospital in Lexington KY. I would like to be able to be a little more independent from my parents at times, but am a little afraid to face things without them.

My dreams are to become successful later in life when I get older. I would like to be an accountant, when I am ready for college. I would also like to get married and maybe raise a family if it is possible.

[ Then Jessica was paired with Abby...]

Abby and I are doing wonderful. There are no words to describe how amazing she is and how much she has helped me over the past year and a half. It's unbelievable! We are truly best pals! I love her so much. We do so well together when we are out in public. She knows exactly what to do. I've also taught her many new commands - she is so easy to train! Some that I can think of now are: pulling my socks off for me, shutting any door of the house, she can flush the toilet (LOL!), and she will pull around baskets of clothes 'cause I ties a rope to the baskets. She is just simply amazing!

Abby is a Boxer/Shepherd mix who spent her early life tied to the corner of her first owner's home, without much in the way of food, water, or attention. She was eventually rescued and taken to the shelter where we adopted her. She has excelled in every aspect of her training.