"Angels Amoung Us", Apr.'08, Patron reading a tribute book at TOP DOG's 20th Anniversary Celebration.
TOP DOG is a Tucson based not-for-profit organization dedicated to the idea that anyone with a disability can be taught to train his or her own service dog, doing one hundred percent of the training themselves. Stewart Nordensson, Kathy Hurst, Diann Belleranti, Mary George, and Lydia Kelley created a program that teaches more than just obedience and service exercises. Through team-building, between owner and dog, people learn how to train their own dog. Each “team” progresses at their own pace, which may involve creating a unique set of commands to enable a person to overcome verbal or physical impairments and communicate with their dog. The life-long bond that is forged between owner and dog in this process is simply profound. TOP DOG’s help increase an owner’s level of independence, self-reliance, and sense of personal dignity. They perform a range of tasks from helping someone dress, rise from a chair or bed, answer the telephone, turn lights on and off, pick up objects, or respond to an emergency. Since 1987, TOP DOG has worked with over 500 students and their dogs. For more information, visit: www.TOPDOGusa.org