Meet Nicki

Editors Note: Nicki and the Nachbar family were the inspiration and driving force behind the Dogs for Dystonia campaign. The DMRF is proud to feature Nicki as the first dog blog post.

Joanna and Nicki

A five and a half pound service dog? Yes, that's our Nicki.

Nicki's mother, a Pomeranian, was rescued by our daughter Joanna's friend. The mother had been abused and had a crack in her skull. She was pregnant. 

The friend told us that Nicki appeared to be exceptionally bright and responded to commands when she was very young. We adopted her and hired a trainer to teach her to be Joanna's service dog.

Nicki learned to know when Joanna has dystonic spasms and to jump onto Jo's lap and calm her. She was taught to be comfortable near walkers and wheelchairs and to walk a safe distance from them.

Joanna moved to a long term nursing home for young adults with physical disabilities. Nicki can't live there, but visits her mommy often. She knows how to get to Joanna's room and pulls us there. Nicki immediately jumps onto her mommy's wheelchair and kisses her. Mommy loves to drive through the hallways with Nicki on her lap. Everyone knows Nicki. Nicki pulls on her leash and tries to prevent us from leaving when we want to go home.

Nicki is a volunteer at the home and has an official ID badge. She visits the rooms of bedridden residents and comforts them.

We don't know Nicki's father. While my wife and others suggest a few canine breeds, I joke that it's a cat. Nicki acts like one. I call her a pomcat.

Nicki is the gift that keeps on giving.

To donate to the Dogs for Dystonia Campaign in Nicki's honor, Click Here.

Posted by: Len Nachbar (Nicki's grandpa)

Drawing of Nicki by Kit August