OurJourney

Kimberly was a professional athlete vying for a spot on the United States Equestrian Team when a horrible car accident left her with permanent, multiple injuries; including a traumatic brain injury. Kimberly was forced to 'relearn' what most of us take for granted, such as reading, writing, walking, and talking. Sometime later, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She wanted to give up...but something wouldn't let her.

That "something" was Dewey. Just four years after Kimberly rescued him, the dog that nobody wanted rescued her right back. Dewey was one of the talented and rare individuals that could detect and alert to impending seizure events. Kimberly grew to rely on Dewey's calming presence during her seizures; which had always been a very frightening experience for her. She drew comfort in his large body, snuggled up next to hers while she slept off the exhaustive effects of the episode; and she knew that as long as Dewey was by her side, everything was okay.

After watching a show on Animal Planet, Kimberly learned about service dogs, and the amazing things the are taught to do for people with all types of disabilities. She researched training centers, and gained a sense of hope for the first time since her accident, that life had more in store for her than just the prison her disabilities had confined her to. She learned that dogs who had the ability to alert to seizures could be specially trained to become service dogs. She discovered that they could be taught to do other tasks and were permitted in public places. She signed Dewey up for service dog training and in January of 2001, Dewey became a full-fledged service dog.

He pulled Kimberly's wheelchair, he alerted to her seizures, he taught her how to walk again; but most importantly, he taught her how to live again.

With this amazing dog's selfless assistance, Carnevale was able to rebuild a life out of the rubble of her old one. She thought her troubles were over; little did she know they were just beginning...

Shortly after being partnered with her service dog, Kimberly started experiencing access denial, the illegal refusal of an establishment to grant entry to a service dog team. At first, her slurred, dyslexic speech refused to cooperate, and Kimberly was forced to return home, defeated by the illegal harassment. But soon, she found her voice again. Armed with an arsenal of knowledge of service dog law, and sheer athlete determination, Carnevale founded Canine and Abled, Inc. and set out on a mission to end access denial...one door at a time.

Kimberly lost her beloved Dewey on September 27, 2005 to cardiac failure. She was devastated by the loss, but became proactive in honoring her very special friend's memory. Not knowing how to cope with Dewey's death, Kimberly decided to think positively and with even more zest and determination than before, she announced a month later that Canine and Abled program was to be expanded Nationwide in memory of the work of the incredible dog who had saved her life and created a program that would touch many lives.

Dewey's protege, Dawson took over the backpack in 2002 after Dewey's retirement, and after Dewey's death he seemed to sense the extra importance of the commitment to Canine and Abled. Dawson traveled by Kimberly's side; a faithful partner on stage, and in life.

Today Dawson, Kimberly, Nadja and Gracie travel the country; continuing the mission in Dewey's honor. His picture remains on every Canine and Abled promotional piece, and his spirit lives on in this program that he created.

Kimberly has faced challenges that most couldn't even begin to imagine. From recovering accident survivor, to advocate, to becoming a single, disabled Mom, to becoming homeless, all the while, striving to continue the commitment she made to Dewey; and finally finding her way back to success. Her athlete training and determination continue to drive her, yet her definition of success is different these days. "It's not about money or fame, or about the things you have," Carnevale says. "At the end of the day, when you can think back on what you've accomplished, success should be measured by making a child smile, or lifting a friend's spirit, providing hope to the hopeless and sharing with others the love in our heart...it is then that we discover that by giving to others, we are actually giving a gift to ourselves... That, is success."

Today, Kimberly shares with her audiences her inspirational message of hope and fostering a never-give-up attitude. Through her tale, she teaches how to use the challenges in our lives to make us stronger. Her story is a miracle in the making; and hearing her tell it is magical.

So where do they go from here? Kimberly chuckles a little. She looks up for a moment and with tears shining in her smiling eyes, she replies, "I have trusted Dewey to lead me from the very start of this journey. I had been so lost, and he made the perfect co-pilot." She twists a white bandanna that Dewey wore often as she takes a ragged breath and continues, "It was Dewey that found the real me... and it was with his guidance that I was able to embark upon a dream that is nothing short of a miracle. He may not be here in body, but his spirit lives on forever in this program he's created. Where do we go from here? Well, I'm going to do what I've done from the start...I'm handing over the map to my co-pilot; I'm going to trust him to continue to lead me where I'm meant to be...after all, he's done a fantastic job up to this point, and he's got a much better view from where he is now."

The following is a poem that Kimberly wrote for Dewey when he first became her service dog:

I thought that I was saving him,

in what seems so long ago.

Yet he'd be the one to rescue me,

little did I know.

This "mutt", he stole my heart,

left there all alone.

For eighteen months, he knew no love,

chained to the porch that was his home.

I gave him love and shelter,

fixed his wounds and kept him fed.

Gave him toys and Milk Bones,

a family and a bed.

He fit right into my lifestyle,

went to work with me each day.

Filled my life with fun-filled memories-

ones I cherish most today.

The crash changed who I am today,

I'm not the same old "me".

Chained to my own aggressor, this time it was the "mutt" who set me free.

Dewey waltzed right through my fears

and put his needs aside

to fill my world with light again

and fill my heart with pride.

This once abandoned pup

is now my closet friend.

He escorts me through the game of life

and shows me there's no end.

No end of life, of victory;

just a shadow of a doubt--

took me beyond the darkness of disparity

to the land I'd heard about.

This four-footed angel was sent to me,

of that, I'm almost sure.

He opened my eyes to the beauty inside,

little things I'd never noticed before.

Four foot devotion was sent onto me,

to strengthen and raise my soul.

He helped my body start healing,

my heart to start feeling

and made my spirit whole.

Each day when I reflect

on who I was back then,

I see the master plan unravel

to bring me my closest friend.

A friend on which to lean on,

who'll never turn his back on me;

a friend who showed up just in time

to set my spirit free......

I love you, Dewey