Amy B and Smoke

Amy’s disabilities make normal activities nearly impossible for her to do. Partners for Patriots matched Amy with Smoke, a German shepherd who quickly bonded with her and helped give her the ability to live on her own. Smoke keeps Amy safe from falling and provides her with the comfort and safety that she needs.

Amy’s disability put her at high risk of falling, and Smoke had the size, strength and intelligence to be the perfect helper for her. Amy says “Smoke was trained to push those heavy doors open and hold them open for me. He walks beside me and if I start to lose my balance he braces me. If I actually fall he gets under me and does not let me hit the ground - no more concussions! If I have to stand like at a checkout counter, he stands beside me (so I can keep my balance). (He even helps me) on the bed, so I can turn over or get up if I need to. He doesn't let me fall, and holding his harness I can be pulled gently to where I need to be. He wakes me up if I am having trouble breathing or a really bad nightmare.”

Amy summarized the positive impact Smoke has had on her life by saying “It is hard to express just how important a well-trained service dog is to provide the independence, companionship, and confidence to let someone like me be able to do things most people take for granted as normal everyday living.”