By ALISSA EATON

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Charles B. Miller of DuBoistown enjoys a “lick down” from his service dog Andy after a swim Monday at the YWCA’s warm water pool. Miller, who is wheelchair-bound, takes Andy with him everywhere, including the pool and the Gibson Rehabilitation Center, as a therapy dog. “I wouldn’t have the confidence to go out without Andy,” says Miller.

If my wife had to pick between me and Andy, I think the dog would stay,” Charles “Chuck” Miller said laughing.

Miller and Andy, a golden retriever and an Eagles Wings Service dog, are quite a pair. Miller, who has been a wheelchair for two-and-half years, has had help from Andy for about 14 months.

“I would recommend to anyone, who is in a wheelchair, to have a service dog,” Miller said.

Andy was trained by Ann Sanders and Cindy Sortman, who work at Eagles Wings Service Dogs in Eagles Mere.

Although Andy is big and playful, he also is good at doing specific chores that Miller needs him to do. He can open the refrigerator, retrieve the telephone, help Miller dress and undress and even help put laundry away.

“Each dog is trained to meet the needs of the individual recipient,” according to the Eagles Wings Service Dogs Web site.

Miller is in a wheel chair because of Spinal Stenosis, a condition that causes a narrowing of the lumbar spinal column and produces pressure on the nerve roots causing back and neck pain and usually decreasing physical activity.

“I had surgery on some of my vertebrae, C3, C4, C5 and C6 were all split open to relieve the pressure,” Miller said.

After the surgery, Miller and his wife, Sherry, spent more than $30,000 making the downstairs of their DuBoistown home more handicap accessible. The kitchen floor was raised so Miller could reach the counters, a dishwasher was installed, the porch was raised and a ramp was built. Some doors and doorways in the house also were widened so a wheelchair could fit through.

Miller decided that getting service dog might be a good idea when he spoke to a woman who attended the YWCA with him and whose daughter had a service dog.

Miller has been swimming at the YWCA for about two years because it is the only physical activity that he can do.

Eventually, Andy began joining him when he went swimming. Although Andy does not get in the water, he walks up and down the side of the pool and never takes his eyes off Miller.

Andy retrieves things that Miller might need while he is in the pool. He can pick up flippers with his mouth and give them to Miller.

“If something goes wrong, he is there to help me. He gives me a boost,” Miller added.

The Eagles Wings Service dogs wear a harness or a backpack with a patch identifying them as a working service dog. Most assistance dogs wear similar equipment, according the Eagles Wings Service Dogs Web site.

It is important not to pet a service dog when it is working. It can distract the dog from being aware of its owner’s needs and commands, the Web site also states.

Pairing up was a miracle for both Chuck and Andy. Andy came from a puppy mill in Montgomery, but was then taken to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The dog was going to be put down, but passed some preliminary tests that showed he might be a good service dog.

“He was going to be put under, but Ann thought she could bring him back around,” Miller said.

Under the American Disabilities Act, Andy is allowed anywhere in public that I go Miller said.

Although Miller does not usually have any problems when taking Andy in public, sometimes it can be a challenge.

“When I was in New York City I went into one restaurant and they just didn’t have room for my wheelchair. At another one, they said I wasn’t allowed to bring Andy in but when they realized it was a service dog they said it was OK, and we got great service after that,” Miller said.

Miller uses a green laser to point to things that Andy should retrieve. “He carries stuff through the house with me and he puts laundry away and brings it to me also,” Miller said.

Andy needs to be recertified every so often and his certification test is coming up Miller, said. Although Andy knows many commands, Miller still teaches him new ones.

Andy’s favorite command seems to be “visit.” After the command is given, Andy knows that he is allowed to visit with the people around him.

“I’m also trying to teach him to take off my jacket,” Miller said.

Andy rarely leaves Miller’s side. “Andy gives me a lot of confidence to go out on my own. I know he brings out the best in me,” Miller said.

Section: News    Posted: 11/26/2007