By Liz R. Kover
Animal-Assisted Activities Director
Fred-Courage Rogers
It's a Dog's Life
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Fred is the beautiful yellow lab I raised and trained to be a service dog two years ago through Good Dog Autism Companions, while simultaneously working as Animal Assisted Activities director for Marley's Mutts Dog Rescue. Fred, named after Mr. Rogers, is now called Courage; because when asked what he wanted a service dog to bring to his life, thirteen year-old Caleb replied, "courage".
Last Saturday, Good Dog Autism Companions held their inaugural ceremony to celebrate graduating service dog teams. Caleb and *Fred-Courage Rogers* were among those recognized.
* * *
Caleb and his mom Deanna come through the door with Fred-Courage trotting calmly and obediently on the leash between them. I waited for Deanna to wave me over before approaching to greet Fred, careful to respect Caleb's space and privacy. With Deanna's permission, I pet him a bit, impressed at how composed he remained, and also with the way Deanna handled him. She's a natural, and the two of them have a bond that I trust implicitly.
Fred-Courage's relationship with Caleb is also very tangible, but beyond my ability to describe it. I felt it most strongly as I held onto Fred during the ceremony until the official "handing over" of the leash at the end. For a couple of minutes, it was as if Fred hardly knew me. He simply couldn't take his eyes off of Caleb. A complex blend of surprise, sadness, and awe came over me. This, I thought, is exactly how it's supposed to be.
For those few brief but everlasting moments during the ceremony, Fred and I reconnected at the depths of...us. As if the confusion of this unusual circumstance had suddenly lifted, Fred looked up at one point and very purposefully met my gaze. There was profound recognition in his eyes.
In that moment, my heart broke open. Love rich with pain rained down, a savage but silent storm, and formed droplets on Fred's fur. To the soundtrack of Caleb's mom speaking at the podium, I ran my hands over him from head to belly to tail, telling him through tears how very proud of him I am, and holding on as long as I could.
Deanna talked about the living, breathing miracle that, today, sheds dynamic, healing light on her and her son's once-much- darker and more isolated world. As each new day with Courage dawns, Caleb comes out more and more, and shines.
And with that, my own pain about having to let Fred go dries up. Joy and gratitude and Grace form the colorful spectrum that reminds me of why...and brings it all...brings us all...back together.
When it was our turn, I handed the leash to Caleb, a very special young man for whom standing up in front of a crowd would never have happened... had any of us not been blessed with the gift of Courage.
Dog Speed,
Liz R. Kover
Animal-Assisted Activities Director/ Marley's Mutts Dog Rescue Service Dog Trainer/ Good Dog Autism Companions
