Success Stories
Sharon and Hope

My name is Sharon Mounce. During my high school years I had a lot of trouble with my knees and back. My mother took me to several doctors, but nothing could be found. I became pregnant in 1967 and had a really difficult time with my health. I had a big boy breech, weighing 7 lbs. 14 oz. What a time! Several years after that the doctor diagnosed me with rheumatoid arthritis. In 1978 I had a total hip replacement. I was in the hospital for a month. My son was in fifth grade and I felt extremely guilty about being away from him, but he survived. In 1985 I found out that I had arthritis in my eyes. I had several eye surgeries, which left me without peripheral vision. This was extremely hard to adjust to. My life had changed so much already. Little did I know that the biggest and most hurtful change was yet to come.

In 1993 my husband of 26 years decided to leave. He wasn't happy. He broke not only my heart, but also those of my son and family. I would hide my pain from my son, but I thought I could count on my husband. I was wrong. He thought there was nothing wrong with me.

In 1995 I had to have my left hip replaced. My family was by my side. I always depended on my mother and sister for support and care. In 2000 I lost my mother very unexpectedly. I truly did not know how I was going to make it without her. Again, I did not realize that I was about to face yet another gigantic change.

In September of 2002, I had to have my right leg amputated. While I still cannot believe it, I am making every effort to adjust. I have made a tremendous amount of progress. I've never asked, "Why me?" I see so many people who are much worse off. I thank God that I wake up every day.

I now have terrible balance and feel that an assistance dog would be able to help me through the many challenges I face each day. The dog could help me walk, retrieve things that I drop, bring the cordless phone to me if I fall and need help, and provide me with constant companionship. I have good friends and family whom I hate to bother with my needs.

My son and daughter-in-law would do anything for me, but they have three small boys to care for and I hate to depend on them. I want my grandsons to see their Nana as an independent, self-sufficient woman whom they can look up to. I want them to look at me and realize that though life may deal us hard blows, if we stick to it, keep a positive attitude, and receive a little help from others, we can make it through just about anything. With an assistance dog, I can be that independent self-sufficient woman.

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Sharon Mounce graduated with Hope in March 2004. Now with Hope's help, Sharon has much better balance. Hope eagerly gets Sharon's prosthesis leg every morning and brings it to her.

Thanks you to the Rick Chatham family for donating Hope to us as a puppy. Also big thanks to Jim and Sue Taylor for being Hope's puppy home.