with a rare genetic disease called Denys-Drash Syndrome. This is a kidney disease that causes scar tissue to form in small blood vessels in the kidneys. Eventually, this causes kidney failure in childhood. Medline Plus says that only “150 affected individuals have been reported in the scientific literature” (Denys-Drash Syndrome, 2013). Grayden spent over a hundred days in the hospital, including his first four birthdays, and he had over 30 surgeries before the age of six. So I’d say that Grayden has had his fair share of time in the hospital environment. During Grayden’s hospital stay after surgery, one of the most memorable and uplifting moments came when a therapy dog named Max visited his room. Grayden was feeling tired and a bit overwhelmed, but as soon as Max padded into the room, everything seemed to brighten. The golden retriever sat patiently by Grayden’s bed, gently resting his head on the blanket, his big, soulful eyes offering comfort and support. At first, Grayden was a little hesitant, but with the nurse’s encouragement, he reached out to pet Max. Almost immediately, you could see Grayden’s mood lift. Max’s calm presence brought a sense of peace to the room, and soon, Grayden was laughing and talking to the dog as if they were old friends. This connection wasn’t just heartwarming, but it became an important part of Grayden’s emotional recovery. Those visits from Max gave him the confidence to tackle each new day with a little more strength and a lot more hope. Watching Grayden’s experience with the therapy dog has encouraged me to advocate for more of them everywhere. As the nation’s oldest and largest professional pet organization, the Missouri Pet Breeders Association is essential to the future of therapy dogs. Without the structured support
that MPBA offers, we simply wouldn’t have the resources or training necessary to produce high-quality dogs. This organization ensures the highest standards of animal care and responsible breeding. Therapy dogs require specific temperaments and traits, which come from intentional breeding practices supported by the MPBA. By upholding these high standards, they help produce dogs that can thrive in environments where they bring comfort and companionship to many individuals. Thanks to the pet industry and organizations like MPBA, we can rely on a steady supply of service and therapy dogs that meet the growing demand in schools, hospitals, and homes. Without Missouri Pet Breeders, we would have no puppies to train as future service and therapy dogs, and kids like Grayden and Vincent wouldn’t have gained the heartwarming and life-saving experiences that they did. However, I believe that the MPBA can do more for service and therapy dogs. Because dogs are their focus, I believe that we can work with the MPBA to advocate for better access to service and therapy dogs. This can be done by utilizing their website under the “Training and Education” section and providing resources for training centers here in Missouri (Missouri Pet Breeders Association). It would also be helpful to supply resources for grants and financial aid, as it is an extremely extensive task to acquire a service or therapy dog. Looking forward, the support of the pet industry will be crucial to expanding these services. Now if you haven’t guessed yet, Grayden is my younger brother, and his story, like those of many others, is a testament to the life- changing effects these animals can have. Witnessing what he went through first-hand has encouraged me to advocate for the pet industry.
The impact of therapy dogs, both historically and in modern-day environments, cannot be overstated. From their origins in helping soldiers heal to their presence in classrooms and hospitals today, therapy dogs have proven to be valuable companions for people facing emotional and physical challenges. The Missouri Pet Breeders do so much for the advancement of all companion animals. As we look to the future, it’s clear that therapy dogs will continue to play a vital role in healing and supporting individuals in countless ways. References 4 Paws For Ability. (n.d.). “It Was Nothing Short of Amazing” | Vincent and Acorn’s Story. 4 Paws For Ability. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://www.4pawsforability.org/ service-dog-stories/it-was-nothing- short-of-amazing-vincent-acorns-story/ Denys-Drash syndrome. (2013, March 1). MedlinePlus. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https:// medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/ denys-drash-syndrome/ How Service Dogs Help the Disabled - ECAD Service Dogs. (n.d.). Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://www.ecad1.org/ index.php/resources/how-service- dogs-help Membership Applications. (n.d.). Missouri Pet Breeders Association. Retrieved October 31, 2024, from https://www.mpbaonline.org/ membership/ Missouri Pet Breeders Association - Pet Professionals of Missouri. Retrieved November 13, 2024, from https:// www.mpbaonline.org/ WHERE DID SERVICE DOGS COME FROM? A BRIEF HISTORY. (2021, February 19). New Life K9s. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://www.newlifek9s.org/post/ where-did-service-dogs-come-from-a- brief-history
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