Meet Shiloh
When Shiloh joined Sam last August as a 10-week-old puppy, he was just beginning his journey to become a mobility service dog. Over the past year, this team has grown together, with Shiloh learning new skills, maturing, and already making a big impact on Sam’s confidence and independence.
From the start, Shiloh’s smart, energetic personality stood out. “He’s very self-aware and really likes to work and learn new tasks,” Sam says.
Shiloh loves being in the middle of the action, whether it's training class, running errands, or riding along on family adventures. The first task Shiloh mastered was retrieving items from the floor and stepping onto Sam’s wheelchair footplate to hand them over.
“We started with just a few items, and now he’ll pick up most things,” Sam explains. “He responds to training well and learns tasks relatively quickly and positively.”
Like any young dog, Shiloh is still working on impulse control, but his progress is clear. “When he was younger, even a windy day made walks challenging because he’d try to chase every leaf. Now he ignores them completely,” Sam shares. “He’s also getting better about managing his excitement around visitors.”
For Sam, training Shiloh has been just as transformative. “It’s built my confidence in public because I have to direct him and keep us both safe. I can’t be quiet and shy anymore. Plus, he’s just a really cool dog to be around.”
These days, Shiloh’s routine includes walks, errands, food puzzles, and weekly training sessions. This fall, he’ll begin attending Sam’s classes at Pima Community College.
“He’s a constant companion, a key partner in my independence, and a source of confidence that empowers me to navigate the world on my own.” Says Sam.
As their journey continues, Shiloh is working on even more advanced tasks, including traveling by plane, assisting with chores like laundry, and even learning to get help if Sam needs it. But more than anything, he’s become a constant companion and partner in Sam’s independence.
