How Rehab Medical Supports Independence Through Service Dog Training
Every September, we recognize the remarkable contributions of service dogs and the life-changing support they provide to individuals with disabilities. From hospitals and rehabilitation clinics to home health and skilled nursing facilities, these highly trained dogs help their handlers navigate daily life with greater confidence, safety, and independence.
During Service Dog Awareness Month, we celebrate the extraordinary role these dogs play in helping their handlers overcome daily challenges and live more independently. For Rehab Medical employee Chris Oder, the role a service dog plays became personal when he and his wife welcomed Bougie, a service dog in training, into their home.
Turning a Love for Dogs into a Purpose
Oder’s involvement with training service dogs began after he and his wife, Sarah, lost one of their two dogs. Initially, they weren't ready to welcome another dog into their home. However, their remaining dog, Molly, had never known life without a canine companion. This led the Oders to foster Bougie, an 85-pound goldendoodle service dog in training.
What began as an opportunity to foster a dog quickly grew into a deeply rewarding experience, providing a front-row seat to the transformative relationship between service dogs and the people they serve.
Quickly falling in love with Bougie, they spent all their free time training her and getting her prepared to care for her future handler.
Training for Mobility Support
As volunteer service dog trainers, the Oders played an important role in preparing Bougie for a successful future with her eventual handler. Her training journey has included exposure to a wide variety of environments, people, and situations designed to build her confidence and adaptability. Bougie would often go on everyday outings to get more comfortable in public spaces and around new experiences.
However, while training Bougie, the Oders believed they could make a greater contribution to service dog training if they could add a wheelchair to their training regimen. Recognizing that Chris had access to old wheelchairs by being an assistive technology professional (ATP), he reached out to Rehab Medical’s president Kevin Gearheart to request an old wheelchair for training Bougie. Within a week, Chris received an ultralight rigid manual wheelchair.
Reflecting on the donation, Chris shared:
“We suggested a rigid frame ultralight chair because if the person is wheelchair bound, all day long, they need to be in the lightest possible equipment. For the sake of familiarizing not only Bougie but also future service dogs, it was the best possible solution for training.”
Continuing the Cause
Seeing firsthand how service dogs can improve independence, confidence, and daily life for someone living with a disability has reinforced the Oder’s passion for service dog training.
When asked about their experience training Bougie, Chris mentioned:
“It’s been extremely fulfilling. We're absolutely going to miss Bougie after she gets adopted by a handler, but with every day that passes, we know she is going to make a difference in someone’s life, and it's wonderful knowing we had a small part in that.”
Through their support, the Oders are helping create opportunities for greater independence and mobility for wheelchair users. It's another example of how Rehab Medical employees continue to improve lives, both inside and outside of the workplace.
How to Participate in National Service Dog Month
Just as the Oders are helping prepare future service dogs for success, everyone can play a role in supporting these life-changing partnerships. National Service Dog Month is the perfect time to learn more about service dog programs and find ways to contribute to their mission of empowering individuals with disabilities. Check out these organizations to find out how you can get involved.
National Service Dog Organizations:
Canine Companions - Provides highly trained service dogs to adults, children, and veterans with physical, cognitive, or psychological disabilities completely free of charge.
K9s for Warriors - Rescues shelter dogs and train them as service animals for military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or military sexual trauma at no cost.
Paws with a Cause - Places custom-trained assistance and facility dogs with individuals and families across more than 30 states.
Local and Regional Service Dog Organizations:
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