Service Dog in Training Becomes Family's Best Friend

Toby still has a lot to learn, but the 1-year-old behaved quite well recently despite many distractions—a loud train horn, a slamming door and a parade of pretty dogs fluffy from their baths.

The yellow Labrador is being trained as a service dog for Betty Mock. She and her two college-age daughters, Michelle and Rebecca, have a rare, genetic disorder in which their blood does not coagulate properly.

A bump or bruise can cause blood to leak into the joints. The blood then dries and limits movement. A bad bruise or an injury to the head or abdomen can require a trip to the hospital for an IV injection.

The Mock family, who currently lives in Romeoville, brought Toby to Critter Cleaners, 170 Lemont St. in Lemont, to have his nails clipped. Owner Kim Walter “has talked Toby through many scared visits,” Betty said. Toby had a bad experience at another groomer and is touchy about his nails.

The Mocks received Toby when he was 6 weeks old from Tish McGary, a security guard at Romeoville High School. Toby was the “most laid-back puppy” out of a litter of nine.

“He used to fit in a 10-inch Frisbee,” Betty said. Toby now weighs 85 pounds.

Betty said she decided to have a helper dog after her daughters refused to leave her home alone while they went away to college.

“Toby’s a godsend. If I’m having a bad day, he will drape himself over my legs or get under the footrest and won’t move,” said Betty, who was raised in Lemont.

Service dogs are in training for three or four years. Toby’s temperament was first tested in two sessions with other dogs to see how he would react to them.

“He fell asleep under a chair the first day,” Rebecca said.

Toby is being trained by Sarah Rothberger of the Ray Graham Association's Morris Service Dog Program in Lisle.

Toby is now studying for his “citizenship” test. He must complete 10 tasks—including sit and stay, lay down and come—to move ahead in training.

“When Michelle was diagnosed, it was the worst day of my life,” a teary-eyed Betty said of her other daughter. Several days after tonsil surgery, Michelle started to bleed uncontrollably.

“We didn’t think she was going to make it,” Betty said.

Specialists finally put a name to what the three had: von Willebrand Disease. Von Willebrand factor is a protein in the blood that helps coagulation. Those with the disorder don’t have enough von Willebrand factor or it is not working properly.

The family uses a prescription nasal spray to help with coagulation, and keeps medicine at home that is given through an IV in case of emergency or surgeries.

The disorder becomes a problem for the girls only if they are injured, Rebecca said.

Rebecca, who plays flute, mallet percussion and oboe, is studying at Lewis University to be a high school English teacher. Rebecca is interested in arts and crafts and volunteering.

Michelle, who loves to read, will be attending VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. Michelle plays the piano, mallet percussion and clarinet. She graduated third in her class from Romeoville High School, and was on the dance team for two years.

Because of their condition, the Mocks were not able to ride the school bus or play sports.

“We don’t do after-holiday shopping (because of the crowds)," Rebecca said with a smile.

Betty’s illness is more advanced. She uses a cane and has a scooter because her ability to move has deteriorated. Getting up from a chair is difficult, for instance.

She is hoping to find a chairlift soon to get her scooter into her truck.

Toby will eventually learn to help Betty get up if she should fall, go for help, get medication from the refrigerator, pick things off the floor and help her take off her coat. He is also learning not to pull on his leash because Betty is prone to bleeds in her shoulder joints.

The close-knit family “looks after one another,” Betty said.

“It’s life and we love it,” said Rebecca.