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Lewisville residents receives Buddy Dog
By Heather M. Goodwin, hgoodwin@acnpapers.com
Just over a month ago, Lewisville resident Zack Thi¬bodeaux received a new buddy. The two have a unique relationship that has flourished in the short time they've spent together.
On Jan. 1, 9-year-old Thi¬bodeaux became the fist person in Texas to receive a Buddy Dog. A Buddy Dog is a companion dog for a blind child who is not old enough for a guide. The dogs teach children the responsibility of having a guide dog.
"Zack takes care of his dog so that she'll know he is the master," said Johanna Uek, Thibodeaux's mother. "Zack walks her and feeds her so that he can get comfortable with her. He is the sole caretaker. This will prepare him for when he gets a guide dog in a few years."
"It's a genetic disease. Basically Zack's dad and I both had genes that resulted in the disorder," Uek said. "It's a very uncommon disorder."
Thi¬bodeaux symptoms began when he was in first grade. When he began to have problems with his eyesight, Uek took him to many doctors, but it was a neurologist who finally diagnosed him.
Recently, Uek applied to Guide Dogs for the Blind to get a K9 Buddy, and the San Rafael organization granted Thi¬bodeaux's wish. Natura, a yellow Labrador retriever, arrived in Texas in January.
"She came trained with many commands," Uek said. "She's a very good dog."
Natura was matched with Thi¬bodeaux after he interviewed with the guide dog organization. Uek said the organization tries to place dogs and owners with similar personalities together.
"Natura was one of the dogs I interviewed with, and I wanted her as my dog," Thi¬bodeaux said.
Natura was raised in Dallas by the Lone Star Puppy Raisers, Texas' first puppy raising group for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Natura was meant to be a guide dog, but her fear of air travel changed her to a Buddy Dog.
According to Guide Dogs for the Blind, Natura will contribute to sensory development, which can help motivate a child to learn and enhance their self esteem. Buddy Dogs are offered for free to children.
Thi¬bodeaux attends monthly classes with Natura where the two learn how to better work with each other. The two are together as much as possible, Natura even sleeps on his bed, but she is not allowed to go to school with him. Uek said when Thi¬bodeaux has a guide dog, it will be allowed to go everywhere with him.
Thi¬bodeaux has always loved animals. The family had other dogs in the home, but Natura needs to be the only animal in the house until she and Thi¬bodeaux get more comfortable with each other. As the two work together more, Natura will allow Thi¬bodeaux to be able to do more, even as his vision deteriorates.
Every day Thi¬bodeaux attends a regular private school then takes Braille lessons for two hours. He also enjoys playing the Nintendo Wii, especially the Wii sports games. He likes audio books, especially the Percy Jackson series.
"He loves to read; that's been the hardest part for him -- losing the ability to read a book," Uek said. "He also likes science and math. He's very good at both."
Thi¬bodeaux said when he grows up he wants to be a scientist. He said that even though he will be blind as an adult, nothing will hold him back from his dream.
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