JoJo
Karen and JoJo
Just when I was ready to give up JoJo a black lab mix came into my life. Relocating and job hunting rejections were taking their toll on my self worth. I battled depression. I have been a dog trainer for over thirty years and was asked to pick a puppy out for Teagan, a young man in our church with Cerebral Palsy. JoJo tested as a good candidate for a service dog and was introduced to Teagan. They bonded immediately but the task of raising a puppy was overwhelming for the family so I volunteered to take him home and train him. This dog changed my life. I had a purpose again. Slowly my depression lifted. I had something to do with my time besides looking for a job. His funny antics made me laugh. His response to training encouraged me. He made me get up in the morning and take walks. Best of all, I was doing something productive and helping someone else. I am now in the process of starting a nonprofit service dog organization so I can help even more people.