Rutland Manor Breeding & Research Centre
Breeders of Australian Cobberdogs Born to Serve

Born to Serve LEVI

RUTLANDS LEVI - Service Dog to Joan Zatorski in Arizona

Levi, Joan Zatorski's service dog in Arizona is a direct descendant of the renowned Rutland Manor therapy and service dog bloodlines developed with selective breeding dogs such as Rutlands Magnum, Rutlands Gabrielle and Rutlands Heritage and carried to current day Rutlands dogs through Rutlands Ava, Rutlands Anya and Rutlands Kelby, the legend in his own time. 
Levi's story Published with kind permission of Joan Zatorski -

In 2008 Levi and I celebrated our first year anniversary together as a certified Service Dog Team.  Walking beside one another for the past twelve months, we move in smooth synchronicity. Often before I even utter a command or make a hand signal directing him, Levi senses my need or intention. 
As I was, literally, researching the “best" way to end my life, I was notified by Canine Crossroads Foundation that Levi was ready for me and I should get myself to Texas for two solid weeks of service dog training with him  ASAP.  It’s my firm belief that an angel named Beverley Manners, or her agent-at-arms, helped to facilitate the timing of that announcement.  What a blessing it has been!

Levi has enabled me to go out into the world, no longer fearing that folks will whisper, "Look at her loopy walk, she's drunk!  What a shame!" or that I might fall and have no one to help me to get up.  On the days that I am well, I'm half way decent. But before Levi came into my life, a flare up of symptoms would land me in a kind of hell.

Levi has certainly changed all that.Now if I'm too ill to do errands with him walking beside me, Levi seems content to lie next to me on my bed or sofa. He's ever ready to accompany me to the bathroom,offering the balance and support I need during those times, and even brings me my slippers, one by one.

​Oh Beverley, Levi is growing so well as a service dog!   His intuition is  amazing as is his devotion. I've had many problems with serious flares this summer and have been bed-bound for a week or so each time.

Do you know that my boy would NOT leave my bedside, not even to go potty?  He held it from the time my son, Alex, left for school at 8:00 a.m. until he came home at 3:45 p.m!! His water bowl was moved next to the bed,  but he didn't want to drink, either, just to stay by my side and when I rose to go to the bathroom, he'd jump up and go into a heel in case I fell.  
​The funny thing, is that just as he was resistant with the trainer in Texas, Levi will not do what he considers to be 'tricks' for people just to demonstrate his abilities. He KNOWS the difference between being my service dog and my son or husband wanting to show people what he can do.  He'll do it for me, but not for others.
The trainer was concerned because he was (in her words) 'stubborn' and 'inconsistent'. But from the first time we met, Levi somehow 'knew' that I needed his help and he never hesitated.  The trainer was incredulous when she saw the difference in his behaviour with me as opposed to when she was training him exclusively.

As my primary source of support for physical balance and item-retrieval, this 70-pound, wavy-haired, chocolate-colored ‘dog helps me move through life with a grace and confidence I thought I’d lost forever.  Levi is so fully a part of my every motion, it’s hard to believe we haven’t always been together. 
How did I even live before Levi? If truth be told, life before Levi was not much of a life.  In the weeks before we met face-to-face, I believed I could no longer cope with the all-over body pain and un-ending exhaustion that comes with having fibromyalgia (which is now known to be a neuro-muscular disorder).  I not only wanted to "give up" by hiding under my blankets in bed, but truly wanted my life to be over. I believed my chronic illness had been rendered me 'purpose-less'. 

This handsome, kind, insightful and skilled dog has enabled me to re-enter the world and function in a way I thought had been taken from me forever.  He has been the source of my personal renaissance and for that, I owe him my loyalty, love and care even beyond the time when we may no longer be able to walk together, side by side.
Joan Zatorski, Arizona

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