I have ALS and live in a power chair also. Having a service dog has really increased my independence. I'm no longer worried about dropping something, esp. my keys! She also opens and closes doors, presses elevator buttons and w/c pushplates, gets the phone, helps with positioning limbs in bed at night, alerts to my ventilator alarms, gets "help", gets things off counters, hands over and takes money in a ziploc at a check out counter, gets things off shelves for me, gets out my laundry and places it into a basket which she pulls to my side. Then she hands up each piece and puts it, folded, back into the basket. Basically she does things for me that I'd not be able to do for myself, thus allowing me to not be dependent on a person. At work she is especially invaluable as asking your co-worker to pick up a dropped item gets really old and she's thrilled to do it. I went through an organization that places dogs based on need vs. on a true waiting list so I got Skye within months of my application. They brought her to me having been already trained for all the tasks then we worked together so that I could learn her commands and she could learn that I was the "pack leader". I can't imagine her not being by my side as she has literally not left me alone in a room, etc. for the nearly two years that I've had her. Good luck in getting your dog- you will be very blessed!---Kathy ( and Skye)
