Service Dog Team Jake and Joel- LIVING...

Joel Criado worked as a mechanic and suffered a devastating accident when a bus fell on and crushed his abdomen. Joel spent 5 months in the hospital after the accident. He was a vibrant individual with a full rich life and suddenly he couldn’t walk or perform any personal care tasks by himself. It was hard for Joel and his family to accept that things were never going to be the same.

After extensive research, Joel’s wife found MobilityDog and spoke with Janie Heinrich, MobilityDog’s founder and Executive Director. Janie understood what Joel was experiencing and reassured the family the organization would be able to help provide support on his journey back to gaining functional independence. Coincidentally, Jake, a Standard Poodle puppy, was beginning his training and with his temperament and large size, had the potential to be the perfect match for Joel.

After nearly 16 months of training, Jake and Joel became an official Service Dog Team. Jake brings joy and mobility to Joel by helping him walk and bracing him for a variety of activities.

Jake also helps retrieve dropped items like keys and can bring him things such as the TV remote and his medication. With Jake by his side, Joel was able to walk for the first time after the accident. SD Jake’s current goal is learning how to help do laundry!

“When I saw [Joel] get out of his wheelchair and walk for the first time in over 3 years it made me cry...Watching Jake bond and work with his handler makes it all worthwhile.” -Lonnie Saeger (Jake’s Puppy Raiser)

“Ever since we’ve gotten Jake, he’s gotten [Joel] more out of the house, and even through his day to day life he is able to do more, and presents so much more opportunities […] he helps [Joel] do things he was able to do before, things he never thought were possible again, after the accident.” -Kelly (Joel’s daughter)