Building confidence and independence after getting my new service dog

About a week ago, I sat in my husband Dave’s car with butterflies in my stomach. My new service dog, Fresco, sat calmly in the back seat. Fresco and I were about to take the public access test for service dogs.

I didn’t want to do it. After only two weeks of training, I felt as if I could have used another week or two. Now that we have passed, though, I can already see how much it will change things for both Fresco and me. It is not just a piece of paper or a box checked off a training list. It is a quiet kind of proof that we are learning how to move through the world together as a team.

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For me, the biggest benefit is confidence. Before the test, every public outing carried a layer of worry. I wondered whether I was giving clear enough cues and whether I would know what to do if something unexpected happened. To be clear, Fresco is well trained and knows what to do with a trainer. My worry was different: Could the two of us work together as a team?

Passing the public access test does not mean every day will be perfect, but it gives me something steady to stand on. It tells me that Fresco and I can handle distractions, busy spaces, doors, people, carts, noises, and all the little surprises that come with ordinary life.

That confidence matters because it opens the door to more independence. Instead of planning my life around what feels manageable, I can continue planning around what is possible.

Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) has taken many of my physical abilities from me, and a service dog helps me function more independently. Going into a store, keeping an appointment, traveling, sitting in a waiting room, or being in a crowded place all feel different when I know I have a trained partner beside me, just as I did with my first service dog, Wendy.

Fresco benefits, too. Passing the test shows that he understands his job in public and can do it successfully. He isn’t being thrown into situations before he is ready. He has proven that he can stay focused, respond to me, and settle when needed. It helps protect our bond because I can trust him without constantly second-guessing him, and he can trust me to guide him clearly.

What I keep coming back to is the partnership. The test was not only about Fresco behaving well; it was about us communicating under pressure. It showed me where we are strong and reminded me that training is not finished just because we passed. We will keep practicing, keep learning each other’s rhythms, and keep building the trust that began before test day.

Still, passing marked an important turning point. It gave me permission to feel proud of him and proud of myself.

The public access test doesn’t cover everything Fresco knows. It covers only what we need to be safe and appropriate in public. Skills like retrieving items I drop because of the poor motor control caused by FA, or tugging open a door for my wheelchair, are important to me, but they are not part of the test. We still need to keep practicing those skills, too.

One thing I learned from Wendy is that the more I bring my dog with me, the stronger our team becomes. I did that with Wendy, and I will do it with Fresco.

Finally, many states, along with the federal Air Carrier Access Act, are trying to reduce the confusion caused by fake service dogs and emotional support animals, which are not the same as psychiatric service animals. Because the agency I got Fresco from is accredited by Assistance Dogs International, and because we passed a test showing that we are safe for ourselves and others and unobtrusive in public, I can move through the country with more confidence.

When I think back to sitting in that car with butterflies in my stomach, I realize how much changed in such a short amount of time. I started the day unsure if we were ready. I ended it knowing that we had taken a real step forward. Fresco and I passed together, and now we get to carry that confidence into the places we go next.

Some jealousy still lingers between Fresco and Wendy, and Dave and I are doing everything we can to make sure Wendy knows how beloved she is. That is part of this transition, too — honoring the dog who helped me before while learning to trust the dog who will help me now.

Note: Friedreich’s Ataxia News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Friedreich’s Ataxia News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Friedreich’s ataxia.