by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
“Rookie helps me feel better and calmer,” Max shares as he reflects on his partnership with his service dog, Rookie.
His mom, Susan, adds, “Rookie gives Max the confidence to take on tasks, and that allows us as a family to access more opportunities.”
Max and Rookie have been partners for seven years. Rookie, a service dog from W.A.G.S. 4 Kids (Working Animals Giving Service 4 Kids), was just six months old when he was matched with Max. W.A.G.S. 4 Kids trains both mobility and autism service animals.
Service dogs help support positive social interactions, provide visual and tactile stimulation, foster self-motivated behavior, and encourage emotional bonding. They also provide assistance to individuals who need mobility, sensory, medical and mental health services.
Max lights up as he refers to Rookie as “sensory material,” noting how much he loves Rookie’s fur, weight and cuddles.
Rookie’s journey began as a puppy raised by a group of inmates in Ohio correctional institutions. The W.A.G.S. trainers visit weekly to train the inmate handlers, who work closely with the dogs. In contrast, many other service dog organizations rely on community volunteers to raise pups until they are old enough for formal training.
W.A.G.S. 4 Kids notes that the wait for a service dog through its program can be up to two years — a timeline echoed by many similar organizations.
Listening to Max and Susan talk about Rookie’s impact makes it clear: this partnership has been life-changing — for both Max and Rookie.
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