My self,daughter Sarah & service dog, Dawson

My business partner ;-)

Hiya! ;-)  My name is Kimberly.  I am first, and foremost, the proud Mom of five year old, Sarah.  She is the child that I yearned for, yet was told would be impossible due to medical complications.  I was a professional equestrian working for a spot on the US team when a car accident left me with multiple, permanent injuries. In a cruel twist, I was later diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis; which futher complicated my cognitive abilities. I had to relearn reading, writing, walking and talking all over again; and didn't think I could do it; or wanted to...that is, until I was partnered with my first service dog.  "Dewey" gave me the desire to live again. He pulled my wheelchair, alerted to my seizures, taught me how to walk again; but most importantly, taught me how to live again! With his unending support, I was able to carve a new life from the rubble of my broken dreams. I reached a level of recovery that doctors and medications simply could not achieve, and I started setting new goals for myself; my biggest was to have a baby girl.

I feel as though God blessed me with Sarah (named from the bible story of Sarah and Abraham ;-) through my tenacity of rehabilitation and develpment of a positive attitude throughout. (Truth be known, it was Dewey who kept me positive and always put a smile on my face and a song in my heart ;-)  In any case, my beloved daughter was born in Nov. of 2002, just five months after her father disappeared. I've raised her  alone...(with the help of my service dogs!), and have faced many challenges being a single parent with disabilities.  But I wouldn't change a thing.  Sarah is a gift; and I cherish her more each and every day ;-)

Through my many challenges, I've been blessed with many gifts.  My first service dog, Dewey retired in 2001, and Dawson, my current SD stepped in to take over as my partner in life, and in business.  Today, I enjoy a career as an author/motivational speaker. I had started a service dog education program called, Canine and Abled, Inc. (  www.CanineAndAbled.com ), back in 1999, with Dewey by my side, as a means to help abolish illegal access denial and rude behavior that service dog teams face; some on a daily basis.  It has become an award-winning program, and I travel all over, demonstrating my dogs' tasks in a fun, interactive and highly educational presentation that not only educates, but implores audiences to use adversity to your advantage; and find the champion that lies in us all.  Canine and Abled, Inc. has been a God-send; especially after I had Sarah.  I don't get child support, and this program provides me both with the ability to help others and provide a much needed income.  My first book, "Canine and Abled, Taking The Dis Out of Disabled" was published in 2004, and chronicles my bid for the USET, the skills I utilized first as an athlete; then as a recovering accident survivor, and how everyone can use those same tools to create better opportunites for themselves.  I also wrote about the tremendous benefits that service dogs provide for their partners with disabilities (with an emphasis on hidden disabilities), and relate how the dogs are selected and trained; and the proper way to greet a working dog team.  I'm currently working on my second book; a children's version of my first, written in the voice of Canine and Abled's Dawson.

Though I've faced many trials and tribulations, I have been rewarded with twice as many blessings, just as God promises us through His Word.  Perspective is everything!  Keeping a positive attitude throughout (even if you have to fake it!), can bestow you with tremendous insight and opportunities...I'm living a miracle; and am the proud Mom of one of them!