I was initially diagnosed with CMT when I was a freshman in high school. My right kneecap was dislocating, and I had to push it back in place, but the doctor told my folks that didn't happen to girls. On either side of my family we could not trace CMT but I, defiantly, had it. I had surgery on that knee and things were kind of at a standstill for about 10 years. In that time period I met and married my husband, Roger, in 1973. It was in July of 1974 that I started having problems with my knee again. So I went to the family doctor my in-laws went to because it was much closer.

When I went in for my first appointment they x-rayed my knee and there happened to be an orthopedic doctor on hand who agreed to look at my x-rays. The other doctor in the office heard them mention CMT and said he had been in on the diagnosis of a girl about 50 miles away. He came into the room and we recognized each other right away and he has been my family doctor for the last 28 years.

Over the course of about 12 years we went through 11 operations together. Last year I had both my feet and ankles fused so they are at about 90 degree angles. It was very painful and I had to stay in bed for almost the whole time, but it was worth it because I have less pain in both my feet now. I'm dealing with my right shoulder dislocating, but not a whole lot can be done about that.

My husband worked as jail administrator to our county jail and one of his corrections officers asked if we knew of anyone who would be interested in taking in a golden retriever. The couple who owned her were getting a divorce and neither one would let the other have her so they were going to put her to sleep. Can you believe that!

What we didn't know was that she was a house dog and very well trained, although my cats didn't think too much of her! We got along great and she became very protective of me.

We'd had her for about five years when she became very sick and on the vet's advice we had to put her down. That was so hard for us but we did what was best for her.

Our next dog was a Labrador puppy who grew so fast I was no match for his playfulness. We gave him to a nephew who lives on a farm, so we still get to see him.

Now on to how I acquired Gallager.

Two of my girlfriends who were familiar with my history did some research and discovered Kansas Specialty Dog Service (KSDS). They went to a convention with their husbands and one of the other wives there had a puppy that was in training and she gave them all the information I needed to find out if I would be eligible for a service dog.

I contacted the school who sent me forms to fill out including my doctor's evaluation of me and a form for a character reference, which my pastor was happy to complete. Then I had to wait for the review to be completed which takes about 60 days. Talk about a long two months! Once you are accepted into the program the search for a suitable match begins.

When the call came they wanted to know if I could be in Washington, Kansas in about a month's time for a two-week training session on learning how to handle my new partner.
Gallager and I bonded almost instantly. In fact when they presented him to me he tried to climb up on my lap.

We live in a very small town, population around 300. I started out slowly going on walks with him and he soon became famous with both children and adults alike. In fact it became somewhat of a joke that everyone spoke to Gallager before saying hi to me. Wherever I take him he lies quietly beside me and when someone says his name he wags his tail but doesn't move. When I drop something he is right there to get it for me. His reward is a hug and telling him ‘Good boy!' I will admit he gets a little upset with me if he has to pick up the same object more than twice. It's as if he's looking at me and saying ‘Okay already, get your act together.' Only once did I have to lock him in a room away from me. I dropped a bottle of Tylenol with codeine. He wanted to help and of course he couldn't with that.

Gallager knows our schedule and if I'm late or not paying attention, he gently lays his head on my leg or arm as if reminding me. He's also great company for me when my husband goes fishing or hunting, then Roger doesn't have to worry so much about me.

Gallager is much more than a service dog. He can tell when I'm not having a good day or if I'm in an unusual amount of pain. It's almost as if he tries to make me laugh. I honestly don't know how I managed without him.

I have found that children are far more educated about working service dogs than are many adults but, generally speaking, people are learning a lot more about what these dogs do. I attribute that to many documentaries about guide dogs and service dogs.

We live in the country now, and Gallager is in seventh heaven. Roger has fenced in our whole front yard so now we can let him out where he just runs like crazy, but it's back to business when he comes inside.

I love him dearly and could go on for hours talking about him. I think he is very good for keeping my spirits up and going on one day at a time.