Born Deaf into a generationally Deaf family, Kari had always navigated the world in her own way. Yet, with her two young adult daughters moving out and no one else at home, she was concerned about missing vital sounds like a knock at the door, the oven timer, or the blare of a tornado siren. She reached out to Paragon Service Dogs to welcome another kind of support into her life.

Enter Doc, a gentle, attentive yellow Lab with a calm spirit and a heart full of purpose. Raised by dedicated puppy raisers John and Charlene, Doc had spent his early days preparing for a future of service. He practiced sound alerts, learned how to remain composed in busy environments, and brought joy to classrooms of children. All along, Paragon kept Kari in mind. They knew she needed a hearing dog who could thrive in active environments and be a confident companion as Kari moves frequently between classrooms and homes, supporting young Deaf and Hard of Hearing students across Illinois as well as remain focused during church services.

When she finally met Doc, the connection was instant. During team training in Colorado, Kari impressed the Paragon team with her thoughtful preparation and unwavering focus. She studied hard, asked insightful questions, and built a strong bond with Doc. Together, they successfully completed their public access test and mastered four critical sound alerts: the door knock, timer, smoke alarm, and tornado siren.

Kari shares, "Paragon listened to my needs—what I wanted and didn’t want in a dog—and they trained Doc for me, who is perfect!"

Back at home, they’ve settled into a new rhythm. Kari starts each day with Doc by her side, three long walks a day, games of fetch in the backyard, and new adventures across the state. He’s become a regular at the schools where Kari works, greeted by wide-eyed students who offer him quick, respectful pets as a reward for their good behavior. Even though some moments, like navigating the Communion format at Kari’s church, have taken practice, Doc is adapting beautifully. Weekly virtual check-ins with their trainer, Jack, have helped smooth the transition and keep this new team moving forward with confidence.

Kari and Doc's joining together as a service dog team is one of mutual trust, respect, and deep purpose—proof that the right partner truly can change everything.