Why Service Dog Education Is Important......What Every Service Dog Handler Wants You To Know
Did You Know?...
...That service dogs are specially trained to assist people with all types of disabilities (including invisible ones, such as traumatic brain injury)?
...That these dogs can do many things to make the lives of their partners more safe and independent? Tasks such as retrieval, opening/closing doors, turning on lights, taking clothes out of the dryer, getting a drink from the fridge, alerting to seizures, and blood pressure/sugar levels, and many more can be accomplished by these very special canines.
...That because service dogs are specially trained and recognized under local, state, and federal laws, they are permitted to go where most dogs can not? Stores, restaurants, movie theaters and other public businesses must accommodate these dogs according to law.
...That many businesses do not take the time to teach their employees about service dog access; and/or do not know about the laws that apply to their businesses? This lack of education leads to access denial and rude behavior for service dog teams all over the country; every single day.
...how to teach your children about people who are differently Abled or how to act around a working dog?
...Canine and Abled is committed to ending access denial and rude behavior by educating the general public about the wonderful benefits that service dogs provide.
...Canine and Abled is committed to inspiring audiences to believe in the beauty of their dreams through inspirational education.
Click on one of the links at the bottom of this page and find out about Canine and Abled, Inc. programs, read the incredible story of how this program began, and learn all about service dogs--and much more!
Canine and Abled founder, Kimberly Carnevale, was living her little girl dream. She was competing professionally in the illustrious world of Show Jumping; and had aspirations of the United States Equestrian Team...
... She learned the hard way that even the best of dreams are not immune to disaster. In July of 1998, she was involved in a car accident that left her with multiple, permanent injuries; the most devastating being a traumatic brain injury.
She wanted to give up, but something wouldn't let her. That "something" was her first service dog, Dewey.
He pulled her wheelchair, alerted to her seizures, taught her how to walk again; but most importantly, he taught her how to LIVE again!
Kimberly faced numerous access denials and rude behavior after being partnered with her service dog. After learning that access denial and rude behavior effects teams all over the country on a daily basis, her athlete mentality kicked into gear and Kimberly set out on a new dream....to promote awareness and acceptance of service dog teams everywhere through inspirational education.
On July 2, 1998, Kimberly lost a big dream; but with the help of her canine companions, she created a bigger, better dream through Canine and Abled, Inc. This award-winning program has taken the Eastern seaboard by storm--and due to popular demand, is now available nationwide.
Since 1998, Kimberly has lost a lot: her lifelong dream, becoming permanently disabled and forced to relearn to read, write, walk and talk all over again. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis years later, and now is raising her five year old daughter alone without support. In 2006, she became homeless with her child and dogs...but still, she refused to give up.
While Kimberly has lost a lot, she wants the focus to remain on the fact that through her adversity, she has gained so much more. She's gained confidence and independence through the devotion of her service dogs, she's created a program that helps others, she's written a book about her incredible story, she's helped others believe in the beauty of their dreams; and she's planning on creating a training/provision center in the future in order to provide others the same freedom her own service dogs have provided for her.
Kimberly has faced many obstacles in her life, but she'd be the first to tell you that she wouldn't change a single day of her life...even July 2, 1998. Throughout it all, Kimberly pressed forward, not letting life's challenges get in the way of the creation of her new dream. She's allowed adversity to teach and mold her, and has composed incredible, motivational speeches she shares with others to help others become champions in their lives; all the while demonstrating the tremendous benefits that service dogs provide for their partners with disabilities.
There have been many changes and challenges in this former athlete's life; but the one thing that has remained a constant is her commitment to this program, and commitment to help others by sharing her story. Read on to learn more about this award-winning program, and the incredible tragedy to triumph story that started it all....
