Gabrielle and her service dog, Riker, have been a team for five years. Riker is Gabrielle’s hearing dog and supports her in her every day life. He makes sure she wakes up on time each morning, is alerted to traffic and people calling her name, but perhaps most importantly, he is her devoted companion.

She recently shared with me that after many vet visits for recurrent double eye and ear infections, and Gabrielle advocating for him, he finally got a real diagnosis. Riker has a rare genetic disease that is causing him to go blind. His eyes are filled with cysts that are popping and bleeding. He also has cataracts. Right now he is not in pain but that will change.

There’s nothing anyone could’ve done to prevent this or can do to heal it. This is something no one would expect a well-bred, 6-year-old lab to have. And of course the cost of his care (vet bills, medications, possible eye removal surgery) is something Gabrielle could not have anticipated. All of these bills and worries are unfortunately on top of what Gabrielle and her family already deal with because she has multiple chronic illnesses. Gabrielle is an advocate for others and constantly fundraises for Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD) by making and selling blankets. I hope that friends, family, and even strangers can return some of that generosity and make a profound impact on them this holiday season. During a time of celebration and joy, let’s ease some of their worries by taking this financial burden off of their shoulders.

Gabrielle said this on Riker’s instagram page, “Our journey is just going to look a little different, I will guide him like I always have been and he will continue to be my ears. He has been there for me through extremely tough times and I will be there for him through this tough time. I will continue to protect, love and care for him unconditionally that does not and will not change! You stick together no matter what the other is going through.”

Thank you so much for your care and support!!

-Marcelle Calkins (Riker's puppy raiser)

Gabrielle's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabriellemcinnis_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Riker's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rikerswildadventures?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==