Kayla's Story
| Providing the gift of independence & love… one dog at a time® |
Things Happen for a Reason
Janette Thomas
In October 2005 I got an e-mail from a producer of the NBC Show, “Three Wishes” inquiring if
CST had a Labradoodle for a potential placement with a 9 year-old girl. I enthusiastically
responded “YES” as we had a dog in the Prison Pup Program at CIW in the advanced training
program.
As I clicked the “Send” button, I crossed my fingers hoping my response would initiate further
discussion for participation in the show. A few days later I received a response requesting more
information about the status of Cadet’s training and a need for some photos. We promptly
supplied the requested materials and anxiously held our breath.
Naturally, everyone at CST and CIW was excited about the prospect of participating in a TV
show. More importantly, we wanted to make Kayla’s dream come true. You see, Kayla was born
into this world to face a lifetime of challenges. She was born without legs and only one arm that
does not bend.
Janette Thomas
In October 2005 I got an e-mail from a producer of the NBC Show, “Three Wishes” inquiring if
CST had a Labradoodle for a potential placement with a 9 year-old girl. I enthusiastically
responded “YES” as we had a dog in the Prison Pup Program at CIW in the advanced training
program.
As I clicked the “Send” button, I crossed my fingers hoping my response would initiate further
discussion for participation in the show. A few days later I received a response requesting more
information about the status of Cadet’s training and a need for some photos. We promptly
supplied the requested materials and anxiously held our breath.
Naturally, everyone at CST and CIW was excited about the prospect of participating in a TV
show. More importantly, we wanted to make Kayla’s dream come true. You see, Kayla was born
into this world to face a lifetime of challenges. She was born without legs and only one arm that
does not bend.
I was convinced we had the “perfect dog” and began calling my contact after things went quiet for two weeks. Although the network was
excited they had identified three potential candidates, they were less enthusiastic about
Cadet because his coat was black, and they said the family requested a beige dog.
With the holidays quickly approaching, Kayla told her parents that her Christmas wish was for an Assistance Dog which could help her
with her daily needs and activities. She wanted a Labradoodle because some members of her family suffered from allergies and her
family had already done quite a bit of research on the breed.
When the producers went quiet, I was determined to get an update. One of the assistant producers confirmed their selection of another
dog because of coat color, but promised to contact me if things changed.
Although disappointed, I refused to give up hope because I knew that Cadet was the right dog for Kayla. Not only had he been trained
to turn lights on and off, open and close doors and pick up dropped objects, he was also being trained to help Kayla with her specific
needs, i.e. removing her clothes, getting the telephone and alerting adults when Kayla needed help.
Just before Thanksgiving, I called my NBC contact and learned that they were not going to be able to provide Kayla with a dog because
family health issues conflicted with their production schedule and the show was not being renewed for another season. Before ending
our conversation, I secured the necessary contact information with hopes of making Kayla’s wish come true.
Subsequent conversations with Kayla’s parents and a trip to Washington provided the information we needed to participate in a
Christmas miracle!
The day after Christmas, Cadet and I traveled to Washington so that he could begin his new life of service for Kayla. After a warm
reception and an enthusiastic romp around the house, Cadet eagerly began taking everyone’s socks off as we watched the evening
news!!! He found his true purpose in life and seemed to smile as he lay contently at the foot of her wheelchair.
After an intense one-on-one Team Training program, which included accompanying Kayla to school and participating in her busy daily
activities, they passed their Public Access Test with flying colors! Tears flowed from everyone who witnessed this amazing Team as
they confidently performed all the test requirements. Kayla and Cadet were all smiles and extremely proud of their accomplishment as I
issued their new ID card and dressed Cadet in his new CST jacket. (It was my privilege to participate in this miracle.)
Life has a unique way of changing unexpectedly and we have the opportunity to choose an appropriate response. Working with Kayla
and her family touched my life and inspired me to challenge myself and appreciate the things I have taken for granted.
excited they had identified three potential candidates, they were less enthusiastic about
Cadet because his coat was black, and they said the family requested a beige dog.
With the holidays quickly approaching, Kayla told her parents that her Christmas wish was for an Assistance Dog which could help her
with her daily needs and activities. She wanted a Labradoodle because some members of her family suffered from allergies and her
family had already done quite a bit of research on the breed.
When the producers went quiet, I was determined to get an update. One of the assistant producers confirmed their selection of another
dog because of coat color, but promised to contact me if things changed.
Although disappointed, I refused to give up hope because I knew that Cadet was the right dog for Kayla. Not only had he been trained
to turn lights on and off, open and close doors and pick up dropped objects, he was also being trained to help Kayla with her specific
needs, i.e. removing her clothes, getting the telephone and alerting adults when Kayla needed help.
Just before Thanksgiving, I called my NBC contact and learned that they were not going to be able to provide Kayla with a dog because
family health issues conflicted with their production schedule and the show was not being renewed for another season. Before ending
our conversation, I secured the necessary contact information with hopes of making Kayla’s wish come true.
Subsequent conversations with Kayla’s parents and a trip to Washington provided the information we needed to participate in a
Christmas miracle!
The day after Christmas, Cadet and I traveled to Washington so that he could begin his new life of service for Kayla. After a warm
reception and an enthusiastic romp around the house, Cadet eagerly began taking everyone’s socks off as we watched the evening
news!!! He found his true purpose in life and seemed to smile as he lay contently at the foot of her wheelchair.
After an intense one-on-one Team Training program, which included accompanying Kayla to school and participating in her busy daily
activities, they passed their Public Access Test with flying colors! Tears flowed from everyone who witnessed this amazing Team as
they confidently performed all the test requirements. Kayla and Cadet were all smiles and extremely proud of their accomplishment as I
issued their new ID card and dressed Cadet in his new CST jacket. (It was my privilege to participate in this miracle.)
Life has a unique way of changing unexpectedly and we have the opportunity to choose an appropriate response. Working with Kayla
and her family touched my life and inspired me to challenge myself and appreciate the things I have taken for granted.
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| "Changing the way the world thinks about disabilities, one dog at a time" ® |
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