Heather & Ruth

Heather Urick who recently graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University has Muscular Dystrophy and will not allow her disability to deter her from leading a normal life. To assist her with her goals, she has been teamed-up with Ruth, who is a service dog provided through the Capable Canine program from the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind. These specialty animals assist individuals with disabilities.

Progressively, Heather’s coordination skills have been declining; she now uses a power scooter to get around. The Naples resident is determined to continue her education by pursuing a Masters Degree in Social Work, but not without obstacles. Many of the daily activities that most people take for granted present major challenges to her.

Stephen Brown, a guide dog user, works in the FGCU Admissions Department. While riding on a city bus he met Heather, who was on her way to work at the Center for Independent Living in Ft. Myers. He suggested that GDF might be able to assist her. Discussions with Cori Whiting, FGCU Director of Adaptive Services, led to the idea that a service animal might be the key to added independence. When Michael Sergeant, the Director of Field Operations and Program Development visited the Gulf Coast campus and interviewed Heather, he said, “I was very impressed with Heather. Her upbeat attitude and determination to be independent struck a chord with me. She was the perfect candidate for an assistance dog.” Heather credits Cori as being instrumental in notifying everyone so that her Capable Canine will be viewed as “just another student.” Cori optimistically stated, “I think it is a great opportunity for Heather, as she will be able to achieve certain goals that she has not been able to accomplish before due to her limitations. It will also be a great experience for all of us at FGCU. Currently, we do not have a dog on campus. People will notice Heather with Ruth, which will heighten the awareness of individuals with disabilities, prompting those to be more apt to say, “what can I do to help.”

Originally trained at the Foundation’s Smithtown, NY campus, Ruth was prepared to serve as a guide for a blind or visually impaired individual. But upon meeting the dog, Mike Sergeant felt she would be a perfect match for Heather. He said, “She enjoys taking direction and constantly wants human approval, which is what we were looking for as far as Heather’s needs.” He added, “Ruth also has a very soft mouth, which means, she will carefully fetch and deliver items for her new handler.” After this assistance dog returned to Florida with Mike, she was required to go through a new regime of training. Paula Brown, Ruth’s trainer explains the difference in training, “Typically, guide dogs are not trained to retrieve, but with Ruth, that is what we focused on. Because of Heather's declining coordination, this special dog has been trained to identify and fetch items, such as a phone, a shoe, or a book. Ruth can also turn on a light switch and even pull an emergency cord if needed.”

Heather says Ruth has dramatically changed her life, as she emotionally exclaimed, “She is beautiful. I am overwhelmed! Ruth far exceeds any hopes or expectations that I had. My concerns are the little things that most people don't think about. She not only allows me to live independently but she is my companion; my friend.”