An Idea Born from ​a Partnership

Sally’s Story

A Life-Changing Injury

In 2010, I had a horseback riding accident that caused intense, burning pain in my right arm. Over the years, that pain spread throughout my body. No one could explain it until 2015, when I was finally diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

CRPS is a neurological condition that rewires the nervous system to treat all incoming signals as pain. That means even a gentle hug or a friendly dog greeting can cause pain. Things that usually hurt—like a paper cut—hurt 10 times more for me. I live with constant, full-body, burning pain every single day. Tt causes severe nerve pain and limited mobility, leaving me permanently disabled.

A Hidden Genetic Factor

More recently, we’ve learned that a genetic condition I was born with Trisomy X Syndrome played a bigger role than we thought. It affects how my bones and muscles developed and function. I’m more prone to sprains, partial or full dislocations, and tendon tears. Combined with the CRPS, this adds to my instability, pain flares, and impaired mobility. 

Turning to Service Dogs

Before I even had a diagnosis, I spent 6 months researching service dogs. Even though we didn’t yet know what was wrong, it was clear that my condition was worsening and nothing else was working.

In 2015, I adopted Robbie from a Pups on Parole program in Missouri. I worked with a professional trainer to start his obedience and socialization training. Once he was ready, I completed his task and public access training myself.

Meet Robbie: My First Service Dog

Robbie is a Great Dane/Belgian Malinois mix (as far as we know). His job was to perform physical tasks that usually caused me pain, to help prevent flare-ups. His tasks included:

• Bracing and light stability when I was dizzy

• Opening doors

• Finding people or objects

• Dragging or carrying heavy items in a pack

Robbie’s main job was bracing, which helped with:

• Getting up from chairs or the ground

• Preventing falls

• Getting dressed

• Dismounting after therapy rides

• Getting out of the shower safely

He was medically retired in July 2021, and his successor, Austin, was adopted and began training in September 2021. Robbie still does light tasks at home when he feels up to it.

Finding a New Purpose

The idea for Disabled Advantage started when more and more people began asking me about service dogs for CRPS, how I trained Robbie, how he helped me, and how they could regain some control over their lives, too.

As I got more involved with the community, I saw a real need for dog trainers who understand CRPS. Too many of us are going through this journey alone. I’ve been there.

• Doctors didn’t believe me

• My own trainer doubted I could train while in pain

• Others questioned if I could care for a dog at all

But I found a way.

From One Dog to a Mission

Years later, when Robbie retired, I faced the same doubts again. But I found the strength to train a second dog, Austin, and went through all the emotions that come with starting over.

Now, it’s my turn to share that strength and knowledge with others like me.

And that’s how Disabled Advantage was born.