In 1975, Gerald Ford was president, the Vietnam War ended, “Jaws” was the #1 movie, and the Cincinnati Reds won the World Series. It was also when people with disabilities gained a new tool in life-changing independence through Kerry and Abdul, the first Canine Companions service dog team.
Kerry was working at the Sonoma Development Center when a call came in asking to speak to the CEO about a novel idea—partnering to train dogs that would help people with physical disabilities. Unbeknownst to the caller, Kerry had congenital muscular dystrophy and volunteered immediately to partner in training the world’s first service dog.
She had visions of an entirely different life than she was living—of going to the mall and having a dog pay for her items, opening doors in public places, ensuring she could do anything and no longer needing to ask for help.
In an early Canine Companions publication, Kerry wrote, “I used to feel that being physically unable to do things made me somehow inadequate. With Abdul, I realized I needed to find other ways of accomplishing those things. Abdul is one of those ways.”
Thanks to Abdul, whose name is derived from “to serve” in Arabic, Kerry’s vision came to fruition and her life was changed forever.
Soon, Kerry joined the staff of Canine Companions, helping others partner with their own service dogs to increase their independence.
Kerry had the help of three life-changing service dogs, Abdul, Petunia and Nancy, before she passed away in 2020. We’re grateful Kerry took a chance to better her independence, helping thousands of service dog users who followed.