Eleven-year-old Jacob Arnett, has Angelman Syndrome, a rare, complex genetic disorder that primarily affects the nervous system. His condition causes developmental delay, intellectual disability and problems with speech, movement and balance. His condition is further complicated by hyperactivity and a short attention span.

However since last August, Jacob has been finding out what life with an Assistance Dog is like with his big yellow lab named Skelly.

Jacob’s mom, Dyann Arnett, first heard about Assistance Dogs at a Walkathon in Dallas where she saw two families who had them. Then, she heard about A New Leash on Life in the summer 2008 from Jacob’s physical therapist who was familiar with the organization. Their family already had two labs, and Jacob got along well with them. “We thought it would be neat to have a dog that was trained to help him. So we applied to A New Leash on Life. A year later, we got Skelly.”

“We’ve been pleasantly surprised how well things have worked out. Skelly has already made a big improvement in Jacob’s life in a short time. He has an amazing calming effect on Jacob and helps him focus in physical therapy. He is motivated to work harder because playing with Skelley is Jacob’s reward for finishing tasks. He used to get play with toys as a reward, but since Skelly, toys have lost their luster. Skelly is an interactive toy.”

Dyann said Skelly also tucks Jacob in at night, which helps him go to sleep. “If I forget to take him in, Skelly sits up and waits. He knows his routine and instinctively understands his job. Jacob is also learning responsibility since it’s his job to feed Skelly.”

“We are so thankful to A New Leash on Life and have nothing but praise for their program. “Skelly was donated to A New Leash on Life as a puppy by North Forty Kennel in Guthrie.

Lewis, who lives adjacent to her training facility in Blanchard, works seven days a week and also drives 250 miles a day carrying on the work of A New Leash on Life, Inc. She trains dogs everyday and manages six other trainers, interviews applicants for Assistance Dogs, places the dogs with their new owners, and provides follow-up in home training to help the dogs and their humans learn to work together. In addition to overseeing New Leash’s other two programs, she also runs the business side of the non-profit, recruits volunteers, puppy trainers and breeders to help support the program.

When asked what drives her to make A New Leash on Life her life, she said, “It’s the clients. Seeing how important their Assistance Dogs are to them—and what a difference these dogs make in their lives—makes me go to any length to make sure this program grows and survives.”

A New Leash on Life, Inc. is a 501-c3 non-profit organization that depends solely on donations from the public and volunteers to support its mission of changing people’s lives through specially trained dogs. For more information on the Assistance Dog training program and A New Leash On Life, Inc.’s other programs, see www.newleashinc.org or call (405) 224-7715.