Sometimes, the right partner comes along when you least expect it—but exactly when you need it most. For Perry, that partner arrived on four legs, with soulful eyes and a heart full of purpose. His name? Dandy Shandy.

Perry, a resident of New Orleans, has faced the world with a resilience few can imagine. He lives with profound bilateral hearing loss, low vision, significant balance issues, and severe anxiety. Despite multiple surgeries and ongoing efforts to improve his hearing, Perry continued to face immense challenges navigating daily life safely and independently. Perry often felt isolated—cut off from the sounds, connections, and confidence that once filled his everyday life.

He knew he needed something more—a companion who could help him navigate the world safely and confidently. He turned to Paragon Service Dogs in search of a service dog who could meet his complex needs—a tall order requiring an exceptional canine partner.

That match came in the form of Shandy, a yellow Labrador Retriever who arrived at Paragon as a young pup from a Canadian partner organization. From the start, Shandy stood out for his attentiveness, emotional intelligence, and calm demeanor. Over the course of his training, it became increasingly clear that he possessed the rare combination of traits Perry needed. When Perry first saw Shandy’s photo, he exclaimed, “He’s perfect!”

Perry shares, I am eternally grateful. I will never be able to convey my deepest, sincerest appreciation in words, but I can show it by loving Shandy forever. And I promise to always love him and give him the best care possible."

Due to Perry’s health limitations, Shandy traveled to him in New Orleans with Paragon’s Training Program Coordinator. The two engaged in an intensive week-long Team Training experience, practicing public access skills, sound alerts, and navigating environments such as grocery stores and elevators. Perry was a quick learner, and Shandy, ever the steady partner, adapted with grace.

Today, Shandy provides Perry with reliable sound awareness, greater physical stability, and emotional companionship. In public, Shandy draws others in, creating opportunities for connection that had long been missing from Perry’s life.