Not just man's best friend -- Woman with Parkinson's needs a new service dog to stay mobile

    Marilyn Matson needs a new dog.

    But Marilyn is looking for just a bit more in her canine friend.

    Marilyn has Parkinson's disease, a progressive, debilitating condition that hinders the brain's production of dopamine, a chemical vital in allowing smooth, coordinated functions of the body's muscles and movement.

    Her dog, which will be trained by the knowledgeable staff at Paws-Up in Mulvane, Kan., will be able to keep her mobile longer.

    Service dogs have been around for decades. Most familiar are the seeing-eye dogs and gaining attention are the dogs trained to alert the hearing-impaired to certain sounds such as a ringing phone or a knock at the door.

    More recently, service dogs have been trained to alert Alzheimer caregivers to movement by the sufferer of the affliction.

    And dogs are coming into service for Parkinson patients as well.

    One of the symptoms of Parkinson's is a sudden "freeze."

    "You just sort of lock-up," Marilyn explained. Just a little nudge is all it takes to get moving again, and the dog is trained to tap his master's foot as a cue.

    The dogs are also trained to provide a counterbalance to prevent falls and can be used as support for getting upright.

    "They can turn light switches off and on, open the refrigerator door, and bring the phone," said Marilyn.

    Paws Up was founded in 1998 by Robin Pool. They offer three distinct programs that provide individuals with the opportunity to acquire an assistance or professional therapy dog. Paws Up is a member of Assistance Dog International and of the Delta Society.

    Marilyn is a familiar face in and around McCook. She was born and raised in Culbertson. She worked at Mac's Drive Inn for 25 years and she and her husband, Wayne, operated a cleaning business in many area businesses and stores for 14 years.

    Wayne died March 29, 2002, just months prior to Marilyn's diagnosis with Parkinson's disease.

    Gail Williams of Trenton, has become Marilyn's "right hand" and is organizing fund raising efforts to help raise the needed funds to get Marilyn her assistance dog. The total cost of the animal, with training, is $5,000. Paws Up will begin training the dog when they receive $500.

    Marilyn will spend a minimum of one week at the Mulvane facility, training with her dog under their supervision.

    And over the next several months, while the dog is in training, Marilyn and Gail will work to raise the balance of the money needed.