Victoria Coggsdale & Michelle

Promising careers in music, acting and business all faded to the background as Vikki’s health declined.  Migraine headaches and back injuries left her in constant pain.  Seizure disorder caused her to be unemployable and with reluctance, she accepted her disabled status.

Long before meeting Michelle, Vikki had searched for a Service Dog through existing programs.  All were either too expensive or the waiting list was several years.  Her inquiry to The Jasmine Charitable Trust was one of her final attempts to advocate for herself by finding a Service Dog who could warn her of oncoming seizures.

After wading through her medical records it was determined that a Seizure Alert/Response Dog would be of significant help to her.  Vikki met her first dog, Jolly, a 4 year old white male who began alerting for her almost immediately.  Sadly, Jolly’s life was nearly ended when he “bloated” and required lifesaving surgery that forced him into early retirement.  Jolly and Vikki hadn’t even had the chance to go home together.

The search for another appropriate Service Dog began, and as we reviewed our candidates, Michelle was almost overlooked.  Michelle had been retired from her first placement when her partner was diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer.  When she met Vikki, there was magic in the air.  On their second visit together Michelle alerted to a seizure 35 minutes before its onset.  These two partners were just waiting for each other!

Vikki and Michelle worked hard and finished their Intermediate Certification (Assistance Dog International's "Public Access" test), finally freeing them to go home together in December 2005, now functioning as an independent Service Team.  Michelle warns Vikki of oncoming seizures, helps her walk more stably and alerts to her migraines. They continue their training to become a Certified Service Team under The Jasmine Charitable Trust's more stringent guidelines, as well as more day-to-day activities such as grooming and diet for Michelle.

Michelle became a "media darling" when the pair were part of an in-depth interview for The Daily Press.  During the interview, the two were photographed while they were practicing  how to press the alarm button to contact Life Alert (a home medical security company and corporate sponsor of the Trust). Michelle will use this new skill to contact Life Alert when Vikki has a seizure, who will dispatch emergency medical assistance. Michelle will then unlock the door and take them to Vikki. Currently Vikki's method of "remaining safe" when she is alone is to call someone every hour.  If Vikki's call doesn't come in, her contact calls Vikki. If she fails to answer the phone, they then call 9-1-1. Now everyone will rest easier knowing that Michelle is on duty 24/7 and the door can be locked while Vikki is home alone. In the past it had to remain unlocked to allow neighbors and emergency medical personnel access if Vikki failed to make her hourly call.

The article was promptly picked up by numerous other newspapers, the Associated Press, and even a Washington, D.C. radio station, and then a TV station came to the kennel to do an interview. Finally the word is being spread via the media that dogs can do more than just assist the blind! You can read the articles and even see the TV interview by doing a Google search on "Jasmine Charitable Trust".