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By Victoria Dahlin
When you knock at Holly Zellmer’s door you are greeted not only by Zellmer, but by her service dog Gibson, a friendly tail-wagging yellow Labrador Retriever.
 Holly Zellmer’s service dog Gibson waits attentively by her side. The pair graduated from training in November. Having a service dog has given this North Branch woman, who has MS, back her independence. She can even garden once again. Zellmer recommends that anyone who needs assistance look into getting a service dog. Photo by Victoria Dahlin
Zellmer has multiple sclerosis (MS) a chronic neurological disease that affects the central nervous system. When the symptoms of MS began limiting Zellmer’s active life style, including her favorite hobby gardening, her aunt suggested that she look into getting a service dog.
Zellmer then attended the annual MS Expo and talked with volunteers at the Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota booth. At first she thought she would not qualify since her medical condition was not at a more advanced stage.
But, she was told that getting a dog now, rather than later, was actually better since the dog would learn along with her how to deal with her illness as it progressed. So she applied for a dog.
Zellmer was paired with Gibson, a two-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever. Zellmer and Gibson quickly developed a strong bond during the training sessions at the Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota’s facility and easily caught on to the commands and skills they would need to become a great team.
Gibson can perform many amazing skills. If Zellmer drops something, even an object dogs normally don’t like to retrieve, Gibson will pick it up and give it to her. He is so good at this, that if Zellmer’s husband or a guest at the house drops something, Gibson will pick it up for them as well.
He has even returned a pacifier to a visiting baby.
Most amazing of all, he has a designated phone he brings to Zellmer when she uses the “phone” command. Should she ever be unable to get to the phone herself, Gibson will go to the room that phone is in and carry it back to her.
Another amazing feat to see is Gibson opening a door. With the use of a rope attached to the handle of a door (equipped with a pull-down handle) Gibson takes the rope in his mouth, pulls the handle down and opens the door for Zellmer. Gibson’s list of commands and skills is long. He is rewarded with pats and treats from Zellmer.
Gibson is extremely attentive. He stays close by her side and watches her every move waiting for her command. He almost seems to be able to foresee her needs. Everyday living has become easier.
“It’s great having Gibson to pick up things I’ve dropped, especially in the morning or when I’m fatigued,” said Zellmer. She has also been able to resume gardening. “When I’m outside, Gibson stays right by my side,” she said. “He is there to help me balance and get up when I’m on my knees. I’ve already become a lot more independent, and I know we’ll be discovering more and more things he can do to help me.”
Gibson picks up anything Zellmer drops and hands it to her.
Holly already had a pet dog, River, and a cat, Slim, so Gibson is not the only animal in the Zellmer household. Gibson is buddies with River and gets along fine with Slim mostly due to his training.
Zellmer encourages anyone interested in getting a service dog to learn more about the program. “If you want to increase your independence and are committed to taking care of your dog, the dog can be a great help,” she said.
Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota has been helping people with disabilities through the use of assistance dogs since 1987. They work with individuals who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or physically disabled and pair them with dogs specially trained to alert them to important sounds or assist them in the activities of daily living. Service Dog clients have a wide range of disabilities including spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis (MS), muscular dystrophy (MD), cerebral palsy (CP), osteogenesis imperfecta, fibromyalgia, severe arthritis, and seizure disorders like epilepsy. They recently added service dogs that specialize in signaling people with uncontrolled diabetes and in helping children with autism.
The dogs are donated or adopted from an animal shelter. They are then raised in foster homes as they are trained. The dogs are acclimated to other pets, including cats, and trained to go in public, even out to restaurants. The cost of raising, training and vet care of a dog along with instructing the new owner totals $20,000-$25,000. All services are provided to clients free of charge, since the organization is supported by contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations.
Zellmer and Gibson graduated from the Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota program in a celebration Nov.1 at the Anne Sullivan School in Minneapolis. A crowd of more than 200 friends, families, volunteers and benefactors attended the graduation of 16 teams who received their “diplomas.” These unique graduate teams had just completed an intense one-on-one training and certification program lasting from a few weeks to several months.
As each team progressed through the training, their skills and their bond increased. Each graduate’s story was told through words, video and a sign language interpreter as they took the stage. They waited with great excitement as their volunteer puppy raiser or trainer formally presented them with their dog. Graduates were presented with their paper diploma from Hearing and Service Dogs while each assistance dog was presented with a “nyla bone” diploma and a specially designed mortar board graduation cap.
Laurie Carlson, Volunteer Coordinator for Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota stated, “This is the culmination of many, many hours of hard work and dedication on the part of the volunteers, staff and most of all the graduates and their families. It is the best celebration of what we do – our dogs fetch amazing things!”
Zellmer has stayed in touch with some of the people she met through this program. She is keeping in contact through e-mails with the little girl who grew attached to Gibson when he was a puppy. Zellmer also told of a couple and their child with autism and how their story brought tears to her eyes at the graduation ceremony.
She is very grateful to the organization and supporters for Gibson, especially Kim Hyde the director of training. “Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota is a great organization,” she said. “I’ve recommended it to several people. I feel privileged to have Gibson. I am very grateful for the independence he’s giving me.”
To learn more about getting a service dog or to donate to Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota visit their Web site at www.hsdm.org.
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