An Unbreakable Bond

Stryder Doescher turns 9 next month, and he is certain to celebrate with his best friend and service pet companion, Keebler.

“He’s a dog that acts like he actually loves me,” said Stryder. “When I first met him he was so excited and jumping up and down.”

Keebler, now 3, is an English golden retriever that joined the Doescher family when he was 11 months old after completing basic obedience training through a prison program, followed by advanced training with the 4 Paws for Ability program.

Keebler goes everywhere with Stryder, even the hospital, where Stryder finds himself more often than he would prefer. In addition to epilepsy, Stryder battles an unknown connective tissue disorder that results in his joints being very loose and “squishy,” as well as a hole in his heart and a myriad of other related health issues.

“Stryder wears braces on his legs and uses a wheelchair some of the time,” said Angela Doescher, Stryder’s mom. “But most of the time you would look at him and never know he was sick.”

Keebler’s special training allows him to detect and alert when Stryder has an oncoming epilepsy seizure. At school, home or out and about, Keebler keeps close to Stryder’s side, preventing him from moving if he is senses a seizure coming on.

“He can tell us before the seizure happens and can protect Stryder and make sure he is sitting or laying down,” said Doescher. “He can sense the seizures through smell.”

Knowing that Keebler is with Stryder at school brings a great deal of peace of mind for his mother.

“I trust Keebler more than I trust most anybody,” said Doescher. “I know that Keebler is going to protect him. It is such a huge relief, knowing Keebler will alert and get help for Stryder if needed.”

Stryder and Keebler attend Barnes Butte Elementary School in Prineville, where they have been welcomed with open arms. Doescher said she realizes that having a dog in school could be an inconvenience, but that everyone at the school has been wonderful.

“I take great delight in having both Stryder and Keebler in our community and at Barnes Butte Elementary,” said Principal Jim Bates.

If Stryder and Keebler are at school when a seizure approaches, Keebler will stand, go and get an adult and bring them back to Stryder. If he is unable to get the attention of an adult he will start barking loudly. Keebler also alerts to seizures by licking Stryder’s hand intensely, exactly as he was trained to do.

“He helps me by looking for seizures or other things,” said Stryder. “And he likes to go to school because he gets to meet other kids and some of them have problems too. He likes to help.”

Keebler has in fact alerted to medical issues in other children at the school, and even alerted to a teacher’s pregnancy weeks before she knew the news herself. Several parents have sought Doescher out to say thank you for Keebler’s alerts, which have resulted in the discovery of seizures as well as diabetes in other children.

When not at school, Stryder and Keebler enjoy reading library books together and sharing affection. Keebler nudges Stryder to be petted, and Stryder’s favorite thing to do with Keebler is cuddle.

“Stryder talks to Keebler like a best friend,” said Doescher. “He will say to Keebler, ‘Let’s go, time to get ready for school.’ And they go everywhere together.”

The Doeschers have lived in Prineville for the past six years, and appreciate the way that the community has embraced them.

“This community has absolutely been so phenomenal,” said Doescher. “It’s pretty small here and everybody knows and supports Keebler and Stryder.”

To follow the adventures of Stryder and Keebler, visit their Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/strydersstory.