Meet Our Founder
In 2010, our founder, Janie Lynn Heinrich, was involved in a freak accident at a grocery store, resulting in a spinal injury. Janie strived for FUNctional independence! Working with her Poodle, Occupational and Physical Therapists, and Service Dog Trainer Julie Gibbson, APDT IAADP, CA State Evaluator from Assistance Dogs of the Sierra, Janie & Phoebe became a service dog dream team; with Janie spending more time on her feet and less time in her TiLite manual wheelchair. In 2017, Phoebe turned ten; it would soon be time for her to retire. Janie needed a new service dog to continue her functional independence, but met countless roadblocks and barriers in her attempts to secure a new dog because she was over 55. During this process, she learned about the numerous other individuals who encountered similar roadblocks. In January 2018, with a new puppy by her side, Penny Scott-Fox trained with Mobility Service Dogs West Coast Project, now known as MobilityDog, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising service dogs, supporting the community, and educating.
The nature of working with people is to understand it is a process; each day is different. We must accept the reality of medical conditions and step into each unique situation with the honor and knowledge they practice. A Service Dog (SD) is not for everyone, but the possibilities are endless for those with a living medical equipment/device. Each SD Team has its style and grace, living on its terms. We can only create a healthy mingling environment, a strong community. The sparkle and determination to live life make the best SD Handlers. (A handler is a person with a disability using the service dog as their medical equipment/device.)
The observations that embrace my heart and mind are that we need to listen, observe, and be as present as the SD. The SD understands their handler regardless of their abilities on any given day, as they pay attention to each cell. They intuitively know which task and pathway to follow to keep everyone safe and moving while working together. We only need to listen, pay attention, and be present, as these incredible teams flourish.
In 2024, I learned a new acronym: 🧠💡“TAB” — Temporarily Able-Bodied — is a simple, powerful reminder that ability can change in an instant. Our SD Handler, Carlos Benavides, shared this insight with me, and it stuck. Thank you, Carlos, for the brilliant perspective shift. 🙏 Let’s build a world that works for everyone, not just for the moment we’re “able.”
MobilityDog’s quest is to put the FUN in FUNctional independence. With SD Beckett at my side, I am self-reliant. -Janie
