Stories to Inspire

Facing the Challenges Together

By Sharon Bosch

My story started some 25-plus years ago. I was 28 when I was officially diagnosed with
multiple sclerosis in 1999. I grew up in a middle-class neighborhood in Brooklyn, and I had a very normal childhood, always outside playing, every mom knew each mom on “our block,” and basically you weren’t getting away with anything.

It truly was a great time to grow up. However, I was often sick as a child. For years I would have strep throat twice per month, and often, for no reason, I just didn’t feel well. Finally, when I was 15, my family doctor tested me for the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). I tested positive for having chronic and acute EBV. Studies suggest that this virus could be involved with the development of MS.

Sadly, your body begins to expect those bad days with fatigue and pain; you simply learn to press on. But I had no time to stop living. At 18, I was attending a university and busy being 18! By 22, I had graduated college, started working in the ER of a hospital, and I became engaged – everything was going so well!

Then, “Screech, halt, go no further, STOP! What’s this? Why does my hand go numb when I’m in the shower, and why do I feel like I’m going to pass out? No. No, no, this can’t be happening to me.” I chalked it up to being overstressed, overworked, overtired, etc. Just a few months after getting married, my fatigue was getting worse, and I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, my first autoimmune disorder.

I continued working some very stressful and long days at the ER, and I began to feel as though all of my symptoms were bursting through the flood gates. I consulted my general practitioner (GP) and explained my symptoms of fatigue, reduced arm and leg strength, gait and balance issues, difficulty finding words, and short-term memory loss. My GP referred me to a neurologist.

An MRI, a spinal tap, and a visual evoke potential (VEP) test, were ordered. My brain lit up like a Christmas tree when they added the contrast to my MRI, I had O bands in my brain stem, and was negative for the VEP. I was diagnosed within one month. Soon after, a flare-up caused a terrible case of optic neuritis. That’s how quickly things can change for a person with multiple sclerosis.

No longer able to do my job effectively or safely, I had to leave a job I loved. Relapse after relapse took a significant toll on my body. Then one day, while doing my own research on new MS treatments, I came across an article about Canine Companions. I was in awe of what these highly trained service dogs can do.

I contacted Canine Companions in 2002, and after completing an application, I was accepted into a training program in 2004. My dad and I drove from Brooklyn to Farmingdale, Long Island every day for two weeks. Within a day or two, I met the dog I was going to be paired with – his name was Richie, a lab/golden retriever mix – and (lol), we didn’t like each other at first.

However, I never had a dog. I didn’t know that dogs pick up on our mood. If I didn’t like something, Richie knew and reacted negatively. One of the trainers explained how dogs react to our feelings. Once I understood, we were able to mend our connection, and Richie and I went on to work very hard together on the commands. I would say, “side,” and he would go to the right side of me, and “heel” brought him to the left side of me. I could tell him to “push” or “pull” a door, “open” a cabinet, or “get it,” to retrieve anything from shoes, socks, or a basket of laundry, to keys, a pen, or even a credit card.

Richie and I graduated after passing our tests and receiving our ADI certifications. What a difference Richie made in my life! We traveled the country and used those commands daily. Richie was always there for me, always right by my side. When Richie passed at the age of 13, I was heartbroken. I mourned his death for nearly 10 years.

Then one day my son went to the car show in New York City where Canine Companions had a booth. He told me that I had mourned Richie long enough, and gave me an application to apply for a “successor dog.” A year later, I was accepted into a Successor Service Dog class.

Not until I walked onto the Canine Companion Campus and spoke to others, could I finally let go of the pain I had. As soon as I met “Taffy,” I knew she was my girl. As with Richie, we worked hard together to build our bond and learn the commands.

Service dogs are amazing. They are not pets, but rather an extension of our bodies. I am so grateful to everyone at Canine Companions. I’ve been given a new lease on life. Taffy and I are ready every day… and we face the challenges together.

---

Back