Within a few days of our first phone conversation, Smart Dogs took Sadie on for 2 weeks of board and train. When Sadie 'graduated' and came home the day before Thanksgiving, I was greeted by a different dog. To my amazement, Sadie looked at me when I spoke and she listened to me. She sat. She stayed. She lay down. And walking her no longer felt like a marathon! During her time with the Kristi and Ian, Sadie learned how to run on a treadmill and next to a bicycle in addition to her basic manners. These skills seem to have translated well for her to learn how to best adapt to the movements of my chair when we are out and about since I have Cerebral Palsy and use a wheelchair all the time. Sadie still needs me to guide her in some cases but I trust her behavior enough to take her on her first airplane flight a couple of weeks back….something I could not have done pre Smart Dogs. She was an excellent passenger who diligently listened to me the whole flight. She sat or lay politely while people of all ages asked to pet her in the terminal. Even with all those strangers, she never barked or jumped and I was able to keep slack in the leash. Without the things that this experience taught both Sadie and I, I'm not sure I could have handled her long term. Even though we are back in Texas these days, Kristi and Ian are always a phone call away, ready and willing to give me advice as we conquer new scenarios together. My life will never be easy, and that's ok with me most of the time. I anticipated that having a dog would change my routine, but I had no idea how life changing sharing my life with Sadie would be. Ian and Kristi never questioned my desire or ability to care for Sadie and gave me the confidence I needed to be a good owner. We are probably the happiest pair you'd every meet…two kindred spirits I'm sure were meant for each other….but none of this bliss would've been possible without Smart Dogs. Go as quickly as you can to them
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