Kimber

It’s been a month today since I got my new dog, Kimber, through the Furgiving Project and I don’t know how to thank them enough! She has been a true blessing to me, and by extension to our family. Not quite 5 years ago, my family and I were in a hit & run car accident caused by a drunk driver. Mercifully the rest of the family was fine, but I acquired a Traumatic Brain Injury, along with Post-Concussion Syndrome.

Among the many daily challenges of my disability is an extreme sensitivity to barometric pressure changes, which randomly cause me to lose my balance, get dizzy, have blurred vision and shooting pains or migraines all without warning. I call them crashes or brain glitches and they are usually very sudden. These are not the only symptoms I deal with, but are the most pervasive and unpredictable.

Enter, the Furgiving Project. Last December, a friend shared a random social media post about the Furgiving Project, a program where dogs are being trained by inmates at the Idaho Correctional Institution Orofino and provided at no cost to individuals with disabilities. After my accident, I hadn’t even considered the possibility of a trained dog as they can cost as much as $30,000 and the wait lists are years long! My husband reached out the Furgiving Project on my behalf and I was soon approved and on the waitlist for the right dog for my needs. Getting the text that my dog, Kimber, was ready to go was one of the best feelings since the birth of my kids; excitement, relief, and gratitude all mixed together!

Kimber was primarily trained to provide stability and balance for me while walking and working around the yard, but in the month I have had her, she has provided so much more. She can tell when I’m having a bad brain day, and will stick close by. She’ll also go check on our four kids, and keep a close eye on them in public when we are all together so I can focus on walking. She’s already helped me with my random anxiety and I am able to get out of the house much more with her help and steady presence. Last Sunday, I got to go huckleberry picking with the family. A simple, enjoyable day that wouldn’t have been possible without Kimber, because of my balance issues. She was a champ & I didn’t stumble once on the hilly, uneven ground of Idaho’s forests! I can’t wait to work with her further as time goes on, but she has already proved herself to be an invaluable member of our family.

The Furgiving Project, and all the trainers at the Idaho Correctional Institution Orofino are truly changing lives and I thank the good Lord that I am one of those blessed by their amazing work! From the bottom of my heart, thank you & may the Lord bless you all.

-Elise Newell

Blanchard, ID