Golden Returns

EAST COUNTY — For more than two years, 8-year-old Grayson Tullio has been dreaming about the day he’d get his helper dog.

And, now, it’s finally here.

Grayson, a student at Willis Elementary School, and his mom, Jen, returned from Georgia Friday, May 18, with Grayson’s new service dog, Hooch, a golden retriever.

“It’s good,” Gayson said of having Hooch. “He’s fun. I like when he sleeps with me and plays outside with me. He’s getting used to the house. It’s cool he can help me do things.”

Grayson and Jen Tullio attended training May 7 to May 17, at Canine Assistants, where Grayson was matched with Hooch. The non-profit trains service dogs for individuals with disabilities or special needs. While there, he and his mom trained with Hooch and learned how to care for him properly.

Grayson’s grandmother, Pat Miller, who lives in Naples, attended one week of the training with her grandson, as well, and also made it back for Grayson’s graduation from the program, Jen Tullio said.

On the first day of the two-week training event, each participant got to interact with the dogs one-on-one, before trainers matched the dogs with participants based on their interactions, temperaments and other factors.

Grayson knew almost immediately he wanted Hooch as his helper dog, although another dog named Skippy was his second pick, Jen Tullio said.

“The neatest part was matching day,” Tullio said of the experience. “Recipients ranged in age from 7 to about 60, and there were 14 people in the class (getting dogs). Before we came, Grayson had to do a personality test. They had a pretty good idea of Grayson’s personality.”

When Hooch was announced as Grayson’s dog, Grayson’s face grew red with excitement, Tullio said. And from that moment on, Grayson and his mom began learning to work with Hooch.

Two days later — May 10 — Hooch went home to the hotel with his new family, after a day of training together. Over the next week, Hooch accompanied Grayson to Walmart, shopping at the mall and even to an aquarium.

Since arriving home, the Tullio family has been adjusting to having a new family member and is working hard on Hooch’s training, because he is still learning to take commands from people other than his trainer, Grayson’s dad, Nick Tullio, said.

Hooch is trained to open doors, ring doorbells, press buttons, go get help and complete other tasks Grayson may need assistance with as his condition progresses.

“It’s a constant work-in-progress, in terms of training,” Nick Tullio said.

Each day, Grayson helps feed and brush Hooch.

Grayson’s twin sister, Emma, connected with Hooch the day he arrived at the family’s Sabal Harbour home.

“Life is a lot better,” Emma said, smiling as she petted Hooch. “Hooch entertains me. He likes to go outside and play ball.”

Grayson and Hooch are still developing their bond, but the Tullios are hopeful the two will grow closer over the summer. Grayson will be taking Hooch along to a Muscular Dystrophy Association Camp June 24 to June 29, and Nick and Jen Tullio hope to send Hooch to school with Grayson starting in the fall, as long as training continues to go well, they said.

To learn more about Grayson’s battle with muscular dystrophy, or his trip, visit anotherdayforgray.com.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

INFORMATION
To learn more about Grayson Tullio’s story, muscular dystrophy or to donate toward Jen Tullio’s upcoming Chicago Marathon run, which she’s doing to raise funds for the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy organization, visit the family’s blog at www.anotherdayforgray.com.