Solana Beach-based Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) has developed a specialized training program that offers hope for children with disabilities. When Riley Pathman, an 11-year old boy with cerebral palsy was paired with Libby, a three-year-old Golden Retriever in August of 2008, it transformed Pathman’s world. At the time, he was confined to a wheelchair and disinterested in dogs. After many early morning walks and numerous outings together, the bond began to build.
Libby became an integral part of Pathman’s physical and occupational therapy sessions. Libby helped him tackle daily tasks as simple as learning to walk up and down stairs while holding onto Libby’s vest handle. After a few months passed, Pathman decided that he would no longer use his wheelchair but would use his walker exclusively, with Libby walking beside him. This opened up a whole new world for Pathman, allowing him to visit movie theaters, toy stores, and theme parks. Pathman has even walked across a room without the walker, holding onto Libby’s harness.
Today, Pathman has been mainstreamed into a regular classroom with Libby by his side. According to Libby’s trainer, Jan Uhlman, “His whole world has expanded — [his parents] are amazed at how much Libby has added to Riley’s life and how fast he has progressed.”
TLCAD is a volunteer-run nonprofit organization that provides custom-trained assistance dogs free of charge to people with limited disabilities in San Diego County. (858/461-6827, www.tenderlovingcanines.org) JANE SHIOMI
