My journey to become a service dog and helped a young man heal!

I’m Tommy and my life started somewhat scary. At the age of 4-weeks I developed pneumonia and my first Mommy did not think I would make it. I was the last one and kind of small and scrawny looking. But, at my 8-week checkup, I got a clean bill of health and my first Mommy got a phone call that I was really needed. You see, my best friend and now daddy had a terrible accident. He was run over by a car while out jogging. He needed an incentive to get better, get back into gymnastics, back into school and just go on with life. My first Mommy decided that I would be a really great fit and could help with his recovery. So, on a sunny Fall afternoon, my new Mommy picked me up and we took the long ride to see my new daddy. I got really sick in the car, but nobody really cared; everyone was very sweet to me. When we arrived directly at the hospital, my mommy just put me in her big bag and carried me straight up to the room. There he was! My best friend and my new daddy. He was really banged up, there were lots of nurses, lots of bad smells, lots of hoses and cables. But, when I was laid down on the bed right in the lap of my daddy, I was not afraid. I snuggled up to him and we both fell asleep. I felt safe and I felt at home. It would take still over a week until my daddy could leave the hospital and I was at his side every second of every day. Then came the difficult part; he was in so much pain, but I knew when the pain was really getting bad. I just knew, so I woke him up and alerted my family that it was time for the medicine. Once my daddy noticed that, my real training started. After a long 10-months training, he was feeling better and I graduated a certified service dog. I’m now 20-months old and just recently went on my first plane ride. I was not afraid; actually I slept the whole time – even during takeoff and landing. I also now have a sweet 4-months old baby sister – Heidi. She is also a Mini Aussie and I have so much fun playing with her. My life is full of love, work, excitement and I love my family, but most of all my daddy that has just sworn an oath to be a US Army soldier and he made 3rd in the State of Texas Gymnastics championship. I’m so grateful.