Service Golden Burgess

Bond with your Buddy
By Tracy S. Jacobs, Reno Gazette-Journal

When Liz Kus met the members of High Desert Dive Dogs she thought she’d found people who could help her service dog, Burgess, get some much-needed outdoor exercise. H3D also seemed like a good outlet for Buster, an energetic and at one time aggressive springer spaniel that belongs to the Lark family. Turns out, the local dive dogs group has made a bigger impact on members’ lives than just exercise for their dogs.”I just moved to Reno two years ago, and I’ve been trying to establish a niche in the community,” Kus said. “I’m permanently disabled and retired from work as a psychologist. Not going to work made it difficult to find a community and something to do.”

Bound to a wheelchair because of muscular dystrophy, Kus has received help and companionship from her dog Burgess. She wanted him to be able to run at the park or play in the water found at local outdoor venues. “He gets so excited being off of the leash,” she said. “For instance, at a river park when he was done swimming he went for a run around the lawn where a homeless man was laying. (The man’s) lunch was there and Burgess took it.”

So, earlier this year when she heard about the Tamarack Junction Fun Jump she decided it might be a good outlet for Burgess.”It wasn’t at all wheelchair accessible,” she said. “Someone else (threw for him). I just watched and cheered and clapped. That was great fun, just watching him.” Afterwards she met some of the H3D members and decided to check out their weekly event at the Sparks Marina.

Kus found herself among families and individuals who, like her, wanted something to share with their dogs. “The purpose of Dive Dogs is to have an experience or just an activity where people can have fun, that’s the most important word, fun, with their dogs,” said Bob Harmon, a H3D coordinator.

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