Morgan McCarthy, a 20-year-old college student with cerebral palsy, was among the 60 people nationwide with disabilities to receive a free pre-trained service dog from Canine Companions for Independence Friday afternoon.
McCarthy is a junior at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, Mass. After graduation she will have a new roommate, her service dog Dewey II.
Before landing in McCarthy’s loving and grateful arms, Dewey went through an extensive training program.
Dewey, a golden retriever, went to live at his puppy trainers Florence and John Scarinci's house when he was eight weeks old. The couple trained and socialized him for 18 months before he began advanced training at the Northeastern CCI facility in Medford, N.Y.
During his time with the Scarincis, Dewey was socialized at the library at Nassau County Community College on Long Island, where Florence works. The couple also taught Dewey his first 30 commands.
The rest of Dewey’s commands were learned during advanced training at the Medford CCI facility.
McCarthy said she's still "shell-shocked" that she's actually bringing Dewey to her home in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., after falling in love with him at the CCI facility on Long Island.
"The world is opening up for her even more," said Prudence, McCarthy's mom. "Because she's always worried about safety - people approaching her, or not approaching her, or whatever. So I think this will open a lot of doors for her."
In the fall McCarthy will bring Dewey with her back to college while she finishes her last semester of her undergraduate degree.
