09/15/2026
It was 13 years ago this week that I first heard from a woman whose real name was Summer.
She was the inmate to first train Gander in prison.
G and I had been in Denver to do a keynote talk to raise money for the agency that trained G . I received this email as I left the city on the train to Chicago:
"I wanted to see G so badly, but it would of broken my heart. I am the one that loved him and trained him during his stay at prison. He was my world when I didn't have a world. Thank you for loving him so much. I won't bother you again, I just wanted say thank you from the pits of my heart and soul for giving him your all.
My dad is a Vietnam veteran, the whole time Gander was with me I worked with him as if I was training him for my dad. I knew Gander was a very special guy from the moment I laid eyes on him and that he would go on to do amazing things. The second day I had him in my life I groomed him, I couldn't bring myself to take off the beard. With his wise eyes the beard just fit. Anytime I was upset he would lay his head on my knee or shoulder I would stroke his beard until I calmed down. There are days now when the only reason I get on Facebook is to see what Gander is up to. It makes me so happy and proud that you and he found each other and truly appreciate one another and the bond you share.
Working with him changed my outlook on myself, life in general and greatly boosted my self esteem. I trained 30 plus dogs during four years, three for Freedom, one for a little girl with cancer one for an autistic boy along with a bunch of obedience dogs. Towards the end of my four years I was in a rut, I was depressed, my self worth was shot, I couldn't see any good in the world or myself. Gander was the last dog I trained. Within days of getting him all of that negativity left me. I couldn't be sad because it seemed to destroy him and I couldn't look at him and see his eyes like that. He left on a Thursday. Watching him walk out that door beside Bri killed me. The following Monday I walked out the same door that I had been terrified to walk out of. G gave me hope and confidence within myself and my abilities. I got out, worked hard, built a life I dreamed of but never thought to be attainable. Now I'm a stay at home mommy to a 12 week old daughter, I'm about to start school at Argosy University and I love my life. I tell you this because I honestly believe in my heart that had it not been for Gander entering my life I don't think I would be at this place in my life, he saved me when I couldn't save myself.
I can believe the painting of Gander raised that much money at the fundraiser where you and Eric Decker from the Broncos spoke. $5000! It’s a gorgeous painting of an amazing dog. You can share anything you like about me and Gander's time with me. I don't mind one bit, as for identifying information you can use my name as well if you want, I'm proud of what Gander and I accomplished together."
G was a healer from day one.
We kept in touch and we often wrote to each other. We were supposed to finally get together but shortly before that, one year after her first letter, I received a note from her sister telling me she had passed away in a freak accident.
We kept Gander’s beard as a tribute to summer. It was. It long before none of us I could imagine him without it.
Mark Racas and I visited the prison where Summer was incarcerated and spoke to a couple of dozen inmates involved in the dog training program there. We were the first team in 12 years to come back to show our appreciation for all the good work they had done and continue to do. It was the most moving, and I think most powerful of the more than 300 talks we have done to the years.
I owe so many people so much for these years of increasing wellness. No one more than Summer.
Rest In Peace, Summer. Know you helped to change many, many lives. Know you saved mine.
