Roberta Hockenberry shares how Syd, her extraordinary Golden Retriever, became an intuitive service partner and life-changing companion.
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Roberta Hockenberry: I had foot surgery in the middle of June 2024. Everything was good till three weeks later when I got very sick and ended up in the hospital. I had gotten MRSA in the hospital and went septic. Long story, but it was three weeks till I got home. I had a rod in my left leg to keep it straight. If all went well, I might get a new knee. Through all that, Syd was by my side, as were the three other Goldens I had. They were always near me. Then, in October, I had my left leg amputated above the knee as the infection in my body from the MRSA couldn’t be controlled. I came home three days later. Over the next couple of weeks, I noticed Syd was rarely more than two feet from me. She seemed to even want to get in the shower with me! I was using a walker and having an occasional fall. Syd was always there, trying to figure out how to help me up. Then she started picking things up for me, without being asked. From there, I just started relying on her to help me do everyday things. She helped with laundry and carried things. Anything that needed to get done, she did it.
Roberta Hockenberry: I train dogs, and some have major issues. I learned, when Syd was about nine months old, to trust what she was telling me about new dogs coming in. She’s the first to welcome new dogs into my home or training facility. Syd is aware of everything going on around her. I’ve seen her go and sit with a crying child at a park (I did not know them). She will do anything for anyone. The young girl that helps me here takes her outside to pick things up. Syd raised a Belgian Malinois with a litter of hers. When I was asked if she could, I was 99.9 percent sure that she would. I took the introduction slowly and she accepted the pup. Syd’s puppies were three days old, the Mal just one day old. She raised her as one of her own. I could go on and on…
Roberta Hockenberry: I guess I’ve answered that!
Roberta Hockenberry: I have trialed in Obedience, Agility, Hunt Tests, and Field Trials. I have my Goldens shown at Regional and National Specialties, so judges can put their hands on working Goldens. Syd is an OTCH, OM5, UDX3, MH14, WCX, RA, CCA, and Field Trial Qualifier. She has won and placed in Field Trial classes at the Specialties. She will hopefully be running Agility with a friend this summer.
Roberta Hockenberry: Without Syd, I couldn’t get out of my house. She carries my crutches (sticks) up the steps. I have a bag that she’ll carry up when we leave. Anything needing up or down, she’ll do it. She helps with the laundry by getting things out of the dryer. I have kennels here for boarding and training, and she’ll go in and pick up the bowls if I can’t reach them.
American Kennel Club (AKC)
