Ryan Honick smiles beside his service dog Lovey, a yellow Lab in a blue Canine Companions vest, with green foliage in the background.
Three months in, and I still catch myself smiling at the little things.
Canine Companions® Lovey bringing me socks I didn’t ask for. Trotting proudly with the leash in her mouth like she’s the one taking me for a walk. That perfectly timed automator button press when my hands are full.
We may have only just started, but the rhythm? It’s real.
The truth is, I didn’t know what this next chapter would feel like. New dog. New bond. New routine. But from day one, Lovey made it clear: she was ready. And I had to catch up.
Hardworking. Hilarious. The kind of dog who brings me clean socks—unprompted—like she’s running her own little Target. She followed me into the bathroom the first night like it was her job (spoiler: it kind of is). And one evening when I collapsed on the dorm floor in sheer exhaustion, she pounced on me like a 50-pound reminder that rest is okay—and also apparently playtime.
That’s when I started to feel it. Not all at once. But slowly. One command at a time. One tail wag. One moment of “Oh—you get me.” And she did. She does.
Graduation was a blur. I didn’t get handed Lovey’s leash by her puppy raiser—but their close friend passed it to me with the same intention: “She’s yours now.” And I felt that weight. That privilege. That joy. Because being matched with a service dog isn’t just about tasks. It’s about agency. It’s about trust.
And Canine Companions doesn’t just train dogs—they build partnerships. They saw something in me worth investing in. Again. Ten years after they first matched me with Pico, they did it all over—with the same care and commitment. All at no cost.
I take that seriously. Because Lovey isn’t a mascot. She’s not an emotional support animal or a pet in a vest. She’s trained. She’s focused. She’s the reason I can show up to policy briefings, comedy clubs, and day-to-day life without apology.
We’ve already changed how people interact with me in the world. Now, together, we’re going to change that world.
To the volunteers, trainers, puppy raisers, staff, and donors at Canine Companions—thank you. For trusting this match. For sharing our story. For ensuring that disabled people like me don’t just get access—we get partnership.
And to anyone wondering how to help? Support organizations like this. Elevate their work. Ask better questions. Fund the future.
Because when we say “service dogs change lives,” we mean it. I live it.
If you’ve worked with a service dog, what did they teach you?