Success Stories
Kathy and Cagney

My name is Kathy Hendricks and I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I was having many different symptoms at different times. I went to five different doctors, with no diagnosis. Several doctors actually thought I might be making up the symptoms or over-exaggerating what was happening! Finally, I saw a neurologist who made the diagnosis of MS.

That was 12 ½ years ago. At that time I didn't really believe that my body would actually get worse or be taken over by the disease. Oh, I was wrong!

Before MS, I was a very active person. I loved the outdoors. I planted a large garden and spent most of my summers canning food from it. My family and I loved to camp, fish, swim, and just be outdoors. We live on a farm and have horses. I used to ride and give lessons. I remained as active as possible, but with each passing year I found that I was able to do less.

I now have problems just walking without losing my balance and falling. I've fallen down out steps at home and dropped the phone, leaving myself stuck until someone arrived home to help me. Once I fell down and dislocated my kneecap and I had to remain there for quite some time until my daughter arrived home to get me up and to the hospital. I occasionally have trouble with my hands and fingers, making it difficult to pick things up. It is very difficult for me to get off the floor without help.

In the past year, I really haven't gone anywhere by myself, due to the fear of falling and getting hurt. I stay home all day and have stopped going to stores and visiting anyone. I long for the day when I can get out of the house to go places and do little things again.

With my love for animals, an assistance dog would quickly become my best friend. He would enable me to go shopping again, which I love to do! He could help me walk and get up and down stairs, and retrieve things that I am not able to. He could even get a soda from the refrigerator for me. He could retrieve the telephone if I get into trouble and pick up things that I drop. I hope that my dog will be able to lie on my legs when the pain is so great. The best part of getting an assistance dog will be the togetherness that we will have. I won't feel alone all the time and I will have help when I need it. My dog will stay with me always, even when I need to cry or laugh.

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Kathy and Cagney graduated in August 2002. Cagney was donated to us as a puppy and was brought up in the very capable hands of puppy raiser Vicki McInness and her family. Cagney loved to work and learn new things and caught on to everything with great speed. Kathy uses Cagney to help her walk and pull her wheelchair. He also has the full range of "house skills."