Empowering Independence: A Young Innovator's Journey with Assistance Dog Technology

Navigating the world in partnership with an assistance dog has always demanded creative solutions to meet the diverse needs of handlers. Today, we present the incredible story of 9-year-old Kassidy and her service dog, Tibbs, from Paws Giving Independence. This story sheds light on the ingenuity that occurs when companionship, creativity, and technology come together. The magic of Kassidy's idea lies in its simplicity—a solution that illustrates the spirit of partnership and collaboration in the assistance dog community. This story not only shows Kassidy's creativity, but a glimpse at the vast potential of integrating technology in the world of assistance dogs.

Kassidy's brilliance is shown as she shares, "I had a problem... When I needed help and no adults were around, I couldn't get the help I needed. I also needed someone to be close by at all times in case I needed help. So when I got Tibbs, my service dog from Paws Giving Independence, that's when my brainstorming really started. I have always been good at thinking outside the box. My arms and legs are weak, so sometimes I must find a unique way of doing things. Although I have Alexa set up in my room and house, sometimes it will be too far away from me, or Alexa cannot understand my voice when I am using my ventilator.” 

The path forward for accessibility is paved by those who have had to create their own do-it-yourself solutions to ensure the basic functions of technology are accessible to them. Kassidy continues: “I had thought that Tibbs could help me alert my mom or dad when they are out of the house by pushing a button that I could record my voice on." Her solution? A simple voice recording button set, programmed with her voice, empowers Tibbs to signal for help! "Most of the buttons I had found required a landline or called emergency response for a fee. I needed something that was simple, that could alert one of my parents and didn't cost a fortune to try out. I purchased a simple voice recording button set. Then I programmed a recording with my voice so Tibbs would alert and push the button, playing the recording to prompt Alexa."

Kassidy’s resourcefulness continues with some incredible workarounds to ensure that Alexa follows through with the initial request! “The button could say 'Alexa call mom (or insert person's name),” pause for 3 seconds and then "yes.” This would both call the phone number I have programmed in and alert them that I need help, also telling Tibbs he did his job so he could wait with me and help me until someone comes to assist. It took a bit of trial and error of where to put the button and practicing with Tibbs. Tibbs has gotten great at this skill and allowed me to have much more independence and the help that I need. Tibbs is trained to assist me in all kinds of activities. For example, he opens doors and drawers, and picks up items I may drop or that are out of reach. He can help carry and get items at stores, school, or places in town. He is even pretty good at picking out clothes, shoes, and socks. Since having Tibbs in my life, I have had so much independence, and we have bonded into a great team. He has helped me in so many ways and also given me the responsibility of taking good care of him and making sure he is happy, well-loved, and cared for. I must no longer wait for someone to come in and assist me; Tibbs is always by my side and ready to help! I have more ideas for Tibbs and me to work on, and am now brainstorming ways we can make them happen.”

In the words of Kassidy's mother, Kaitlin, “Tibbs has given us peace of mind that we can rest or step outside, and if a need arises, he is going to be there to alert us. He has given Kassidy so much assistance in daily activities, as well as the confidence to be independent.” As we celebrate Kassidy's brilliance and Tibbs' unwavering support, allow their story to encourage all of us to explore innovative avenues that have the capacity to enhance the lives of many. Envision a future where assistance dogs, like Tibbs, become pioneers in integrating with smart home devices, expanding the horizons of their potential support.

This dynamic duo is creating a new path through the ever-changing landscape of assistance dog partnerships, encouraging us all to embrace the spirit of innovation. With a do-it-yourself approach, Kassidy and Tibbs not only increased their family's sense of safety but also found that working together to solve problems has made their connection stronger. As we applaud Kassidy's brilliance and Tibbs' constant support, we hope their story inspires everyone to explore creative ways to enrich the lives of many.

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Nine-year-old Kassidy lives with her family in central Illinois.  She is a full-time elementary student. In her free time she enjoys adventures with her service dog Tibbs, writing stories for her blog, exploring National Parks and new places, and volunteering with Paws Giving Independence where Tibbs received his training.  

 Sydney Bolak has been involved in service dog training since 2011 and completed her B.Sc. in Animal Science with various service dogs in training in tow.  She completed a 3-year apprenticeship to become a service dog instructor and holds a CPDT-KA certification. As a subject matter expert responsible for curriculum development, Sydney was an integral part of the launch of a 2-year diploma program in service dog studies. Sydney is a college instructor and currently holds the position of Chair of the Program Advisory Committee. Sydney is establishing a service dog organization in Nova Scotia, offering program dog and owner training streams. Dedicated to continuing education, she focuses on force-free training, handler education, and cooperative care, staying current with the latest research in dog training and animal welfare.