Kurtiss & Queso

Kurtiss had a stroke in June 2020 that caused him to lose much of his mobility and begin using a wheelchair. Queso helps Kurtiss conserve energy by assisting with tasks that can be difficult for him. Queso also offers Kurtiss a lot of joy and companionship. Kurtiss and his wife love to travel and see movies together and are excited to bring Queso on many adventures with them. 

Sam & Quilcene

Sam is an illustrator, writer, and graphic designer who has Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Psoriasis, which affect their joints, eyes, skin, and spine. The pain and inflammation can make it very difficult for Sam to walk or use their hands. Quilly helps Sam by picking up dropped objects, opening and closing doors, and pushing hard-to-reach door buttons and light switches. “Having a service dog to help me with public access and to take over some of the tasks I find painful or draining is extremely helpful.”  

Philipe & Quantum

Philipe has paraplegia and has used a wheelchair for the past 24 years. He plays for the Seattle Kraken sled hockey team with another Summit client, Brian, who introduced him to Summit. Quantum is a loyal, intelligent yellow lab that is the perfect partner for Philipe, who spends a lot of time outdoors and on the ice. “Quantum is so smart,” Philipe says, “He is easy to work with and eager to please. He just wants to make me happy.”

Abby & Robbie

Abby has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that causes joints throughout her body to dislocate or pop out of place, and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, which often causes dizzy spells. Abby uses a wheelchair and has a very limited range of motion in her arms leaving her unable to pick up objects heavier than a pound. She is taking a gap year and hopes to head to college with Robbie at her side soon! "Robbie is a cuddly homebody who will also make outings less intimidating.”

Melissa & Leroy

Melissa was born with cerebral palsy, a condition that affects her movement and coordination. She uses a motorized wheelchair to get around with ease, and Leroy helps her open doors, pick up dropped objects, and so much more! Leroy is Melissa's third Summit dog succeeding Shiloh and Tanner. Melissa is not only a Summit client but a Summit staff member as well! This makes Leroy an ‘adjunct’ staff member as he attends work events and staff meetings with Melissa.

Alex & Wilson 

Wilson is Alex’s second Summit dog, following the retirement of his first service dog Baylor. Alex has a neurological disorder that affects his vision, fine motor skills, and balance. Wilson has been trained to utilize a walking harness which is crucial in providing Alex stability and assisting him up staircases and steep inclines. Wilson also helps Alex navigate by steering him around obstacles and helping him ride the bus.

GJ & Kelly

GJ and Kelly were matched in 2022 following the passing of GJ’s first Summit dog Zoey in 2021. GJ was born with phocomelia, causing her to have shortened arms. She cannot pick things up off the ground and has difficulty with switches, buttons, and door handles. Kelly helps GJ feel more confident when she is out in public and allows her to rely less on her roommate when at home. GJ is looking forward to spending time with Kelly while traveling and gardening. GJ says that Kelly “is learning to bring me my knee pads,” and she is planning to teach Kelly “to tip the bellhops with two-dollar bills.” Kelly helps GJ in many ways, from retrieving dropped keys to alerting GJ’s housemate if there is an emergency to easing GJ’s anxiety and giving her a new sense of purpose.

Anya & Baily

Anya has Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition that reduces the amount of blood that returns to her heart when switches from standing to sitting and vice versa. "Having Baily with me has made me feel so much safer and grounded while out and about, which has been huge for gaining independence. She’s also improved my mental health a ton by making sure I spend time outside daily and providing company when I’m too sick to get out of bed. My health has improved drastically because of her. She’s honestly the best dog ever!"

The Staudenraus Family & Patterson

Patterson is a Therapeutic Home Companion, providing the Staudenraus family with a well-suited family companion dog as they continue to await an individually trained service dog for their daughter, Jana. Jana has spina bifida, which makes balancing, opening heaving doors, and bending over to pick up objects difficult. Jana is able to practice her dog handling skills with Patterson, better preparing her for life with a full-fledged service dog down the road.

Lynne & Kaimana

Kaimana is a facility dog and goes to work with Lynne at an alternative high school. There he cuddles with students and helps cheer them up if they are having a bad day or helps them destress after a difficult test. The whole school loves Kaimana, and he has already helped so many people. “He is happy, calm, safe, and accepting, and always eager for a walk with a student around the hallway or to sit in a student’s lap to help them with their schoolwork.”

Colin & Lando

Colin was born with a genetic neurological condition called Alternating Hemiplegia, which causes episodes of temporary paralysis as well as cognitive delays. He and Lando are the best of friends and spend every moment in each other’s company. Lando not only helps Colin with physical tasks like picking up dropped objects but also helps Colin feel more confident and independent."Lando is always there for me. I can depend on him to help me when I need it. He is my best friend!"

Lisa & Kramer

Kramer is a successor dog to Lisa’s first Summit dog Togo, who passed away in 2022. "I was blessed to be matched with Kramer a little over a month after my previous Summit partner, Togo, had passed away. The love and comfort he gives are beyond compare. I often find a paw on my chest, shoulder, or arm, just letting me know he’s got me through it all." Kramer is a Therapeutic Home Companion dog.

Kris & Jazz

Kris has a condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy, which is a genetic disease affecting the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and voluntary muscle movement. Kris runs his own online apparel design company, Snappy Clothing, and loves going to music and sporting events in his free time. In these first days of their partnership, Jazz has already shown a great eagerness to be of help. Kris shares that "Jazz constantly makes me happy! From her eagerness to perform tasks, to the excitement she gets playing with her toys, and her sweet demeanor when giving kisses or snuggles...she's always making me smile and laugh. She's also been giving me a good excuse to get away from work and get outside and enjoy the weather."

Brian & Jacques

Brian has a Hypermobility Syndrome that can cause joint and ligament injuries, pain, fatigue and other symptoms. When he began using a wheelchair, he realized how many more barriers there were to daily life for wheelchair users, such as a lack of automatic door openers and adequate sidewalks. Brian is very active in his community as a volunteer and disability advocate and now, with amiable Jacques by his side, they are a dynamic duo. Brian says that "having Jacques has changed more than just the ability to get things off the ground and open a door. I've never had a dog that was a better companion. And being older, I am finding this more important than ever."

Joe & Jamon

Joe was born with Cerebral Palsy, which is a condition that affects his muscle function, dexterity, and walking. Joe’s reading and writing abilities are also impacted, along with his vocal chords. Service dog Jamon assists Joe with picking up dropped items, retrieving Joe’s clothing from the dresser, turning light switches on and off, and pushing and pulling doors. Joe says “Jamon has uplifted me in a lot of ways. He gives me purpose each day. I get up and have something to look forward to. He’s made me more active, creative, and adaptive.”

Jill & Toby

When Jill met service dog Toby at their matching assessment, she “kind of fell in love with him right away.” Partnered in 2020, Jill said that having Toby by her side is really reassuring. Jill is a recent breast cancer survivor and has a few autoimmune diseases that impact her balance and cause gait changes, dizziness, fatigue, and pain. Toby assists Jill with balance, retrieving items, and alerts, which also helps decrease her fatigue. Jill is an avid crafter and enjoys sewing, knitting, and rock painting.

Michelle & Sailor

Michelle was partnered with Sailor in fall 2020. Michelle's last service dog, Fritz, greatly enhanced her independence, so she applied for a successor because she knew that a Summit dog could help her with her needs as her Multiple Sclerosis progresses. When Michelle first met Sailor, she knew he was the dog for her. He has already become a great help, especially with retrieving dropped items and tugging doors open and closed.

Alex & Cooper

Alex was paired with his second Summit dog, Cooper, in February 2020. Alex first became a Summit client when he was partnered with black Lab Fraser in 2006. Alex, who has cerebral palsy, is an avid traveller and knows first-hand the difficulties of travel abroad for students with disabilities. He set out to overcome those difficulties, traveling to South Africa with Fraser in 2011 on an internship to help their government establish disability programs. Alex also served on the Summit board of directors and held a Summit staff position for multiple years. With the professional and leadership skills he gained both in the U.S. and in South Africa, in 2019 Alex began his own non-profit, The Amandla Project, to create travel abroad opportunities for students with disabilities. That means Cooper will be getting his first shot at international travel with Alex, following in Fraser’s pioneering pawprints.

Deb & Ilo

Deb was partnered with her second Summit dog, Ilo, in November 2019. Deb is deaf and was partnered with her first hearing dog, Murray, in 2008. Murray died in 2013, leaving Deb without a dog to alert her to smoke alarms, the telephone ringing, her name being called and other sounds. Attentive Ilo will now serve as Deb’s “ears” and life-time loving companion.

Linda & Irene

Linda was partnered with her second Summit dog, Irene, in September 2019. Linda has had Multiple Sclerosis for more than 30 years, and it has progressed and given her more challenges. Irene is now her working service dog while her first service dog, Phoenix, enjoys a well-earned retirement as a family pet. Linda says having a service dog has enriched her life in many ways, including making people notice her scooter less and her sweet dog more.

Michelle & Theo

Michelle was partnered with her second service dog from Summit, Theo, in September 2019. Theo is a gentle soul and, in addition to being an excellent service dog, is also the father of Summit’s J Litter. When she applied for her first service dog, Michelle knew she would enjoy the support, but she had no idea how unique the relationship would be. “You are totally reliant on the dog, and the dog is totally reliant on you for care, feeding and love. It’s so much more rewarding than just getting help from other people!”