Our Story
Dude is the friend who showed up when I needed someone most. Life was tough, filled with challenges from family to relationships, and facing it all alone felt endless. I spent years keeping busy and taking care of everyone else so I wouldn't have to deal with what hurt.
Even after breaking away, it was hard to share my story or let anyone in, so I held most of it inside. Things started to change when my friend brought home a puppy and my kids joined in to help, and from the moment I met him, something felt lighter. He manages to lift my mood and make me smile, pulling me out of that anxious place.
When my mom passed away last year, I created a memorial in the front yard for her, and Dude was always there, aware of my pain, giving quiet support just by being present and listening in his way. There were days when all I could do was sit on my front porch, feeling completely alone and with nobody to confide in, and Dude was all I had. That's when it really hit me. His presence and comfort are exactly what makes a service animal. He saved my life and still continues to do so every day.