Woodgrove junior, Shaelyn Wheeler, was matched with her golden retriever service dog, Ivory, and took her home in October 2023. Since then, life has been a new adventure for Shae and her family. Ivory is Wheeler’s mobility dog, which means she helps her on a daily basis with mobility related tasks. Ivory’s skills are a wonder to witness, and life changing to a Woodgrove student.
4 Paws for Ability, the training center that trained Ivory, is located in Xenia, Ohio. Their mission is to train and match dogs to assist children and veterans. They train dogs for many purposes, including but not limited to, epilepsy alert, blood glucose detection, and physical disability help. The organization places over 120 service dogs annually. 4 Paws For Ability offers two training options, a two unit team or a three unit team. The two person unit consists of a child or veteran, and their dog. These teams are designed for people who are able to guide the dog’s care themselves. A three person unit consists of two people and the dog, the third person serves as an assistant, to continue the dog’s care and training.
Shae’s journey to Ivory started back in 2020. To begin the process of finding a match, Wheeler and her family had to pick a service dog organization that would fit them the best. After researching many programs, they settled on 4 Paws For Ability. The next step was filling out an application, to be approved for a service dog. Working with her parents and her doctor, the application was completed and approved in January 2021. However that was only the beginning, service dog training is expensive, and the Lincoln Wheeler family was responsible for paying $17,000 towards Ivory’s training. Wheeler’s mom, Lindsey Lincoln started an online fundraiser. The goal was met within 72 hours. Now began the 2 year wait to meet her pup.
On June 13th, 2023, the first email came. Shae had been placed into the 9th class of 2023, Jordy Blue. Her training date was set for October 2023. In September 2023, Wheeler saw the face of her new service dog for the very first time. She received an email containing a picture and lots of details about her very own service dog. She and her family traveled to Ohio, to meet her Ivory and begin training, “The first day, October 11th, was the best day ever. That is when I met Ivory.” The training was much like school, with different lessons than you would see at Woodgrove. Wheeler and Ivory got to know each other, began to trust each other, and on the second day of training, Ivory spent the night with Wheeler and her family for the very first time. Nine other families were also in the 9th class of 2023, training with their dogs for all different purposes. An average day would consist of overall training sessions with all the families, as well as individual lessons with just one family and a trainer. Wheeler comments, “Service dog training was exhausting. People have to remember it’s a lot of work. You are not getting a robot, they are still dogs, and allowed to make mistakes.” At the end of the 10 day training, Wheeler and Ivory were put to the test. Two public outing tests, as well as a written exam. They passed with flying colors. The Lincoln Wheelers were headed home with a new member of the family.
Ivory now goes on outings with Shae every week. They go grocery shopping together every weekend among other errands, Ivory also attends family sporting events and honor society inductions. Ivory has other skills as well, she retrieves items, opens doors, and hits elevator and handicap buttons. She also provides a unique skill called Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT), which provides Wheeler emotional support when needed.
Service dogs are a special type of animal, the good they can do is unmeasurable. However there are some things to remember when around a service dog. It is okay to ask to pet a service dog, but do not be offended if the owner says no. Petting service dogs excessively can affect their mindset when performing service tasks. Service dogs have a job to do, “This is not us being mean, even my parents try not to show her too much affection so she knows she’s my service dog, not a pet,” says Wheeler.
A long wait was worth it in the end for Shae and Ivory, the pair are the perfect match and continue to bring awareness to service dogs and how to conduct oneself around them. “She truly makes me happier and feel safer whenever I need extra help whether it’s physically or emotionally. She is the best dog daughter and best friend I could ever ask for.”
