Dolly Pawton
Dolly Pawton
Dogs feel when we are happy or sad, when we need someone; when we just need them. When I first heard of Dolly Pawton, I wasn’t aware that her story can bring even a bigger smile to a person’s face than the sound of her name. I am smiling joyfully each time I read the following story the author Amy Sherwood shared with me. I am smiling because Dolly is the proof that dog’s heart is filled with love without conditions and dog’s ability to care and support has no limits. Amy and her puppy’s journey started on the day Dolly was born. Since that day, Amy said, “She has only been away from me 3 weeks her whole life.” Till this day, under the inspiring guidance of a strong and beautiful friendship, Amy and Dolly are continuing on their journey.
Those three little words—- I love dogs! S.M.
Dolly Pawton is my Cardiac Alert Dog trained to alert if my blood pressure drops or heart rate rises to an unsafe level. Being confined to a wheelchair due to multiple medical conditions has been difficult, to say the least. At times my body will physically not allow me to do everyday tasks. I try to remain as active as my body will allow, with Dolly’s help I am able to do that. Before having a service dog, I went out very little but, Dolly changed that. She helps me to function without having to depend on others. Dolly helps in every aspect of my life, including reducing my social anxiety. I was a victim of domestic violence which caused PTSD. I struggled to get out of bed not just because of my health but because my self-confidence was horrible. Because of my fears, it was much easier and safer for me to stay home. People have no idea the pain I was in before Dolly. Living with so many medical issues along with PTSD takes a real toll on me both physically and emotionally. I wake up with nightmares terrified to go back to bed but now I have Dolly right by my side to keep me safe.
Dolly gave me the self-confidence and inspiration to write and illustrate 2 children’s books, Pawsibly the Best Medicine which is a biography of Dolly told with a bit of humorous fiction.The 2nd book Emotional Support is Ruff a children’s book about an man that is pretending that his dog is a Service Dog when it is not about half into the book the man and his dog runs into Dolly and she invites the dog to class. In class he learns that he is not cut out to be a Service Dog but will make a great Emotional Support Animal. Dolly and I bring her book to schools to educate about Service Dogs. On Dolly’s free time she enjoys being a dog and participates in Dock diving events. Dolly loves to run and jump off the dock and show the world that Service Dogs need some time to just unleash and have fun. She is truly my most crucial medical equipment with a loving, beating heart. I don’t know what I would do without her in my life and she is my hero.
