Sarah Holland
Northern News Services

NNSL (Apr 09/99) - Megamo, the North's first special-needs dog, has finally arrived, and owner Emily Jackson is ecstatic. Megamo arrived in Yellowknife on March 30.

Megamo is of a rare breed -- he's an over-sized golden retriever. And whether you call him an assistance dog, a service dog or an independence dog, his duties are still the same. He is here to help Emily improve the quality of her life.

Service dogs are relatively new to the disabled, although guide dogs for the visually and hearing impaired have been around for a longer period of time. Service dogs help people who have problems with mobility. Each dog is specially trained to perform the functions required by the disabled person.

Service dogs go through a number of stages to be properly trained. Most organizations require puppy-raisers who take the young dogs into their homes and integrate them into a family atmosphere as well as teach them basic obedience training. The dogs are then handed over to professional trainers who work to teach the dogs specific functions relative to the recipient. The recipient of the dog usually then takes a number of months to bond with the dog, who is still in the training process.

Most organizations get the dogs from either breeders or shelters, and rely on donations to absorb the costs of the training and raising of the dogs. Unfortunately, Emily did not get a dog from one of these groups. Megamo will cost $10,000 -- $7,000 of which has to be raised by Emily and paid within one year.

"I received an e-mail from a relative of mine who received an e-mail from someone in Peru who read the story about me on the Internet and wants to help," says Emily, with a smile.

For all of the fund-raising Emily will do, Megamo is worth it. He will carry bags and packages, pick up keys and other objects that may be dropped onto the floor, provide stability and assistance to Emily when she is walking, take off socks, open doors and more.

When Megamo is at home and not working -- just like most working people, he changes out of his work clothes (his vest comes off) -- he will serve as a playmate for Emily's son Nick.

Megamo and Emily's schedule is full for the next year or so. Megamo is in Yellowknife until November, when he then travels to Barrie, Ont. to undergo further specific training. He then returns, with the trainer, to Yellowknife to be certified. Being certified is basically being able to do all of his tasks as assigned by a grading system.

So far, Emily and Megamo are bonding together well.

"He is very loyal and patient," says Emily.

"He knows who he is supposed to be with and he's very attentive to me. I like being able to go for a walk on my own without worrying, I like the independence."

Emily is grateful to Debbie, Ted and Lindsey Fulton, who were Megamo's puppy-raisers.

"They fostered him, exposed him to noises and children so I wouldn't get my arm ripped off if Megamo got scared, and they also trained him. I owe them a lot," said Emily.

"I am also glad that everyone in Yellowknife has been understanding so far. I wasn't sure if I would be allowed in some public places because of the dog. I haven't had any problems yet, most people just say 'nice dog' and that's it."