SSD Larry

05/17/2026

Preparing for my successor is so exhausting. Not really. My human is doing all of the work while I hang out and relax with Parker, my "house dog" brother. This week I also went to see my favorite vet Dr. Julie at Latrobe Animal Clinic for another laser and acupuncture treatment. I always find my treatment sessions relaxing and feel so much better afterwards; they're quite helpful and keep me feeling youthful and healthy for several weeks at a time with less medication.
My human leaves for training with SSD Ezra in two weeks. I'll stay home with Dad and with the house dogs, Parker and Oliver. Two weeks later, we'll all get to meet SSD Ezra. So exciting!

05/09/2026

It's my birthday! It's my birthday! Happy birthday to me!
I'm 9 years old today and Oliver recently turned 7 years old, so we had a birthday party together today with hats and treat puzzles and toys. Parker joined us too, of course, but he didn't wear a hat. Maybe he'll wear a birthday hat when he has his birthday in August.

04/24/2026

BIG ANNOUNCENT!
I'm being replaced.
Wait, that's not what my human said...
She's been matched with a successor service dog! Team Training at Susquehanna Service Dogs begins June 1st! Please support and welcome my successor. You know he'll be an excellent professional. Please check out the link below.

After 6 1/2 years of loyal service, my beloved service dog, SSD Larry, has b… Sheila Jackson needs your support for Help Sheila Fund Her Successor Service Dog

04/24/2026

Here are a few pics from my final Partners Day, April 18, 2026. The staff and volunteers are always so creative in making the experience pleasant and fun. This year's theme was Safari.

04/19/2026

Living the retire life.
(Actually, recuperating from a very busy day yesterday. I promise a fabulous photo dump soon.)

04/12/2026

After quite a bit of contemplation and consultation with my excellent veterinarians at Latrobe Animal Clinic and my trainers at Susquehanna Service Dogs , and after consultation and reflection with my family of course, I have made the decision to officially retire from service work. My human has some news pending to tell you all about shortly and I will discuss it here for you all as well. But for now, please know that I am well, healthy, comfortable, and enjoying family life. I will visit SSD next weekend to visit with all of the trainers and volunteers and to see my dear puppy raiser Rebecca Lamb Dombrowsky again. I will still help my human at home sometimes if I feel like it (that's the beauty of retirement). My health treatments will continue, and I am doing very well with maintenance treatments. Fun adventures will continue and I can still accompany my human to pet-friendly places when I want to do something. I just won't be going to non-pet places anymore. That's also the beauty of retirement. I get extra naps on the comfiest sleeping spots.

12/11/2025

Do you think if I pretend I'm asleep, my hooman will give up torturing me and take off these pajamas?
Help! Send snacks. I think I may perish from embarrassment.
(They're not even Christmas pj's. She admitted she made a mistake, yet still put them on me.)

11/08/2025

I had the most eventful October! My hoomans had a trip planned for late October into November, but as you know, friends, I've been battling a prolonged illness. While I was on the mend, I wasn't quite up to my usual working self, soooo...
I HAD THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME WITH THE WORLD'S BESTEST PUPPY RAISERS!!!
Rebecca Lamb Dombrowsky and Matt Dombrowsky and their hooman puppy Logan were the most wonderful hosts! I am grateful for such wonderful friends.

10/26/2025

Waiting for results from one more labs recheck.
This illness is getting tedious. Please send yummy snacks. I miss my favorite bananas. I may faint from weakness.

10/20/2025

My friends, I need your help again. Please continue praying for my recovery. This mystery illness is getting the better of me.
I've been following the prescribed diet, taking all of the icky medicine (hidden in yummy prescription canned meat). I was feeling a bit better and even started going out a bit for light errands and attended church. But yesterday I started feeling sick again and my tummy is definitely upset. So I'm headed back to my good friends at Latrobe Animal Clinic for another visit to see if they can help sort me out.
Please pray that I can feel better soon. My family is understandably quite concerned and I'm unable to help my partner when I don't feel well myself.