Sarah + Edison – 365 Days

Sarah was matched with NEADS Service Dog Edison in 2016. Since then, the two have been inseparable. Edison goes to work and medical appointments with Sarah, they spend time in New York City, and they visit friends from coast to coast. And everywhere they go, Edison demonstrates his impeccable Service Dog training and his devotion to Sarah.

Now, Sarah is chronicling her life with Edison and sharing daily photos on Instagram. We’re pleased that she’s agreed to share them on the NEADS blog, too. We’ll update her pictorial voyage every two weeks, so be sure to check back from time to time and see where life takes this duo. For daily updates, follow them on Instagram, @edison_365_sd and see the full series here.

January 1 - 14, 2019

Happy New Years Day all! Today starts the 365 photo stream! Here’s the first one. Yes, it’s a cute picture but Edison is actually doing an essential trained task. This was after I told him to fetch his leash so we could continue with our day after it had dropped out of my hand. #day1of365

Going back in time a bit. When Edison was in training, he visited with the Easter Bunny. A majority of his training was done by a inmate in a correctional facility but this picture was taken when he went into the community on the weekends with his Weekend Puppy Raiser (WPR). The WPR took him into the public and introduced him to new sounds, sights, and textures. It’s very important that he be comfortable around anything and everything anywhere I go. #day2of365

So it’s around 5PM as I’m writing this post and Edison is staring up at me. 5PM is his dinner time and he knows it. He will sit and wait to take the food until I give him permission to take it. This is especially useful because if we’re out in public so he won’t take food from the floor that he is not supposed to. #day3of365

In order for Edison to be able to come into public with me he had to learn how to be out of the way when not working. Here he is lying quietly under a chair while we were in a restaurant. #day4of365

During training, NEADS dogs spend a lot of time making sure the dogs are comfortable around and on all textures. If they are nervous it can be a quality that disqualifies them from advancing in #servicedog training. Here Edison is lying on a wooden platform. #day5of365

All NEADS dogs have to be comfortable on all modes of transportation. Edison has definitely passed that test! Planes, trains and automobiles, oh boy! #day6of365

It’s not all work! Edison loves hanging out with friends. At that time he’s “off the clock” and can enjoy time just being a dog. In a fenced in area, of course! #day7of365

Yesterday I went for a chiropractic adjustment and Edison was there by my side - it was so sweet. 🙂 He sure is my pal and he and I share so much love! #day8of365

Today Edison had a grooming appointment. It is very important to keep him groomed and looking good. It also keeps him used to being handled by someone else other than me. #day9of365

A moment of connection between me and Edison. Sometimes it’s nice to just enjoy time together. #day10of365

One of Edison’s commands involves pressing the automatic door buttons for me when we are out in public. It is so helpful and he does an awesome job! #day11of365

Even working dogs can be silly sometimes. Here he is sleeping on his back! . When I’m busy doing something, he’s on standby. #day12of365

This is one the first times I took Edison on the train to New York City with me, just a few days after we got back from training at NEADS. Since then he and I have been on so many adventures. With him by my side I feel so confident. Here’s to many more adventures with my sweet boy. Photo credit: @megreg203 #day13of365

Here I am doing my exercises. Edison is always nearby if I need help. Even with his vest off he is on call. He can fetch objects I drop and in an an emergency he can bark on command to signal that I need assistance. Plus, he makes a great supervisor...no judgment, just a cute face to look at for encouragement! #day14of365