2008 Woodie Awards
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News Student, dog make team for life Cathy Carver's golden retriever is more than a pet to her.
Lori Robison
Issue date: 11/14/96 Section: News
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They can be seen on campus, an inseparable team,
traversing their way through throngs of students on the way
to their destination.
Casual observers may glance up and see only a woman in
a wheelchair with her pet, a loveable golden retriever
called Cappuccino, cruising through campus.
But this duo is much more than that. They are an
extension of each other -- a team -- working together to
overcome any obstacle placed in their path.
For Cathy Carver, a senior elementary education major
at UNL, having Cappuccino (nicknamed "Capp") this past year
has meant a life with more independence and mobility.
"You don't get a manual about how to live with a
disability," she said.
In fact, after hiring several students to assist her in
getting around campus for her first three years here, Carver
decided that a less expensive, more reliable alternative was
needed.
After a friend suggested getting a service dog, Carver
submitted an application to Kansas Specialty Dogs, a
Washington, Kan., nonprofit school that specializes in
training service and guide dogs.
"As life goes on and things progress," she said, "I
just thought a dog might be something I might really need."
Indeed, public demand for the animals has led to a
year-long waiting list for service dogs from KSDS, the
largest breeder and trainer for the dogs in the Midwest.
Founded in 1990 by Bill Acree, executive director and
president, KSDS has placed 168 service and guide dogs in
homes across 20 states in the last five years, with only
three placements needing re-evaluation.
"We try very hard to match the dog with the needs and
wants of the owners," Acree said. "The dogs show the staff
during training what areas the animals can excel at."
Acree, along with five staff members, breeds and trains
the retrievers solely for the program. And with training
costs at $10,000 per service dog and $15,000 per guide dog,
KSDS receives all its funding from charitable contributions.
traversing their way through throngs of students on the way
to their destination.
Casual observers may glance up and see only a woman in
a wheelchair with her pet, a loveable golden retriever
called Cappuccino, cruising through campus.
But this duo is much more than that. They are an
extension of each other -- a team -- working together to
overcome any obstacle placed in their path.
For Cathy Carver, a senior elementary education major
at UNL, having Cappuccino (nicknamed "Capp") this past year
has meant a life with more independence and mobility.
"You don't get a manual about how to live with a
disability," she said.
In fact, after hiring several students to assist her in
getting around campus for her first three years here, Carver
decided that a less expensive, more reliable alternative was
needed.
After a friend suggested getting a service dog, Carver
submitted an application to Kansas Specialty Dogs, a
Washington, Kan., nonprofit school that specializes in
training service and guide dogs.
"As life goes on and things progress," she said, "I
just thought a dog might be something I might really need."
Indeed, public demand for the animals has led to a
year-long waiting list for service dogs from KSDS, the
largest breeder and trainer for the dogs in the Midwest.
Founded in 1990 by Bill Acree, executive director and
president, KSDS has placed 168 service and guide dogs in
homes across 20 states in the last five years, with only
three placements needing re-evaluation.
"We try very hard to match the dog with the needs and
wants of the owners," Acree said. "The dogs show the staff
during training what areas the animals can excel at."
Acree, along with five staff members, breeds and trains
the retrievers solely for the program. And with training
costs at $10,000 per service dog and $15,000 per guide dog,
KSDS receives all its funding from charitable contributions.