Daughter of Niel and Lucy born 6/11/04

To: Flying W Farms
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2007
Subject: Re: Kodiak update

Fredericka, Kodiak is my mobility service dog. I have a genetic condition called Friedrich’s Ataxia. It affects my balance and speech and will eventually cause me to use a wheelchair all the time. Similar symptoms to MS, but never goes into remission and always progresses. Kodi is in the process of learning how to pull me in a wheelchair! Peyto is our 75 lb. Dalmation who is Kodiak’s best buddy. My mother-in-law and brother-in-law are in the last photo. Kodi is wearing her very festive Christmas collar! We have lots of photos. I will gather some more and see if I can find her flower girl picture and send them as well. Hope all is well, Carolyn

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To: Fredericka Wagner
Sent: Friday, July 20, 2007
Subject: Kodiak update

Dear Fredericka.

Just wanted to update you on Kodiak’s progress. She is the best thing that has happened to me! She was certified as a Service Dog (Mobility dog) at 1 year which is amazingly fast. She was hepful to me beginning at 6 months. She never lets me out of her sight and is very intuitive about what I need. I am not supposed to carry things on stairs for my safety. Without being taught, if I have something in my hands, she will lie down in front of the stairs until I put whatever it is down, then she will help me down or up the stairs! My trainer has been just amazed at how quickly she learns tasks. She taught herself how to open all the doors in the house, including our 4 foot sliding door to the deck!

She has done numerous demonstrations for Service dogs at training facilities and the Minnesota State Fair! My husband jokes that we should have cards made up with all of her information on them. She is a real show stopper! A ten minute errand can easily turn into an hour with people wanting to know all about her and what she does.   

She was the flower girl at my daughter’s wedding last summer. She is loved by all who meet her, but most importantly by me! I can’t thank you enough for my “Kodi Bear”. She is definitely my rock and the one who allows me to remain somewhat independent.

 I have attached some updated pictures for the web site. Let me know if you don’t receive them for some reason.

Thank you again for a fabulous friend!
Carolyn Carnes

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