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It is more than puppy-love when it is life-changing
In a family consisting of four boys, Molly Tyson is unique not simply because she is a female; she also happens to run around on four legs and sports a lustrous golden coat of fur.
However, while Molly may garner admiration due to her adorable looks, her purpose in the Tyson family, residents of Swarthmore, extends far beyond that of a “house pet.” Molly, now four months old, is a service dog, expertly trained to assist 12-year-old Matt Tyson.
Matt, who was diagnosed with liver disease in 2005 and spent nearly a year in the hospital, understands the depth of emotional support that dogs can provide. In November 2006, Matt underwent what was supposed to be a routine liver transplant operation. Instead, the surgery resulted in severe complications that landed Matt in a coma for six weeks.
Nancy Tyson, Matt’s mom, remembers the difficulties following Matt’s liver transplant.
“When Matt woke, he had lost all motor skill from the neck down, had difficulty speaking and needed to remain on a ventilator for five months,” she said. “It was truly frightening.”
During his tenure in the hospital, Matt became deeply attached to the therapy dogs that visited the hospital every week – so much so, in fact, that he submitted a wish to the Make-A-Wish Foundation asking for his own service dog.
Upon receiving Matt’s request, the Make-A-Wish Foundation sent a letter to the Delaware County Kennel Club. Coincidentally, the letter arrived in the middle of one of the Kennel Club’s monthly board meetings and caught the attention of dog trainer Terry Nuss, who has been training dogs for over 30 years.
“After hearing Matt’s story, I instantly felt compelled to help fulfill Matt’s wish of owning a therapy dog,” said Nuss.
However, there were certain criteria surrounding Matt’s wish: first, the dog had to be a puppy; second, the puppy had to be a golden retriever; and, finally, the puppy had to be female. With these stipulations in mind, Nuss began her search for Matt’s future puppy.
Shortly thereafter, Nuss was put in contact with Jerry Sprague, a breeder of golden retrievers located in southern New Jersey.
“Just like myself, Jerry fell in love with Matt’s story and wanted to assist,” said Nuss. In fact, Sprague believed she had the perfect dog for Matt – a baby female golden retriever, a dog which Sprague thought was “always destined for something special.”
Nuss drove to New Jersey, took pictures of the puppy and sent them to Matt, who gave his approval.
“Normally,” said Nuss, “a golden retriever puppy like Molly would cost upwards of $1,200. However, Jerry insisted on waiving the fee entirely.” As such, Molly was delivered into Nuss’ care free of charge.
With a puppy now secured, Nuss began the task of training the dog in a manner that would best suit Matt’s needs. Although Nuss had substantial experience training a variety of dogs, Molly would be her first experience training a service dog.
Consequently, Nuss contacted an old friend and fellow dog trainer, Janet Chaplin, to assist her in preparing Molly prior to being delivered to Matt.
“Janet and I enrolled Molly in an ‘accelerated house training program,’ schooling her in all of the basics necessary in order for Molly to join a new family. We tried to rattle her, just to see what we would get from her. But, she handled everything perfectly; it was amazing,” said Nuss.
Additionally, the two trainers slowly began to introduce Molly, who will support Matt as a “mobility dog,” to the tasks that would soon be required of her on a daily basis. For example, they taught Molly to pick up items that had been dropped on the floor, to walk steadily next to her owner and to lie down for extended periods of time.
These were all tasks that are essential in order for a service dog to be truly helpful.
With her training sufficiently underway, it was time to deliver Molly into the hands of her future owner. The Tyson family, along with Nuss, Chaplin and nearly 50 other family members and friends surprised Matt with his wish in a ceremony that officially brought Molly into the Tyson family.
Molly’s union with Matt was very much a community effort. Marge Remolde, the press secretary for the Delaware County Kennel Club, helped build community support for Matt and Molly.
“It was wonderful to see the community bond together and help Matt,” said Remolde, who praised the assistance of Ray Vaneman of My Three Sons Fencing Co., who donated his labor, free of charge, to build a fence around the Tysons’ back yard.
“Also,” said Remolde, “the community raised $1,300 in order to cover the materials cost of the fence itself, and PETCO presented Matt and Molly with a $500 gift card.”
Following her arrival to the Tyson home, Molly immediately connected with Matt.
“While Molly is still young and may roughhouse with the other three Tyson boys, her demeanor is unique when around Matt – she is calm, composed and even protective,” noted Nuss.
Nuss, however, is not the only one to notice such an occurrence.
“Molly knows that Matt needs her. Their connection is truly incredible,” said Matt’s mom, Nancy.
The benefit of Molly’s presence at Matt’s side has proven to transcend merely physical assistance.
“Molly provides Matt with a degree of emotional strength that is on par – if not superior – to the physical aid she offers to Matt,” said Nuss, who has remained very close to the Tyson family throughout the entire process.
The bond between boy and dog is mutual. While the rest of the Tyson family is still trying to decipher Molly’s mannerisms, Nancy noted that “Matt seems to have effortlessly picked up on the many clues which provide an insight into Molly’s character.”
While Molly’s training as a service dog will continue for another year-and-a-half, her impact in the life of Matt Tyson has been immediate and profound. It is often said that a dog is a man’s best friend. For Matt and Molly Tyson, the friendship extends beyond mere companionship and into the realm of life-altering support.
However, while Molly may garner admiration due to her adorable looks, her purpose in the Tyson family, residents of Swarthmore, extends far beyond that of a “house pet.” Molly, now four months old, is a service dog, expertly trained to assist 12-year-old Matt Tyson.
Matt, who was diagnosed with liver disease in 2005 and spent nearly a year in the hospital, understands the depth of emotional support that dogs can provide. In November 2006, Matt underwent what was supposed to be a routine liver transplant operation. Instead, the surgery resulted in severe complications that landed Matt in a coma for six weeks.
Nancy Tyson, Matt’s mom, remembers the difficulties following Matt’s liver transplant.
“When Matt woke, he had lost all motor skill from the neck down, had difficulty speaking and needed to remain on a ventilator for five months,” she said. “It was truly frightening.”
During his tenure in the hospital, Matt became deeply attached to the therapy dogs that visited the hospital every week – so much so, in fact, that he submitted a wish to the Make-A-Wish Foundation asking for his own service dog.
Upon receiving Matt’s request, the Make-A-Wish Foundation sent a letter to the Delaware County Kennel Club. Coincidentally, the letter arrived in the middle of one of the Kennel Club’s monthly board meetings and caught the attention of dog trainer Terry Nuss, who has been training dogs for over 30 years.
“After hearing Matt’s story, I instantly felt compelled to help fulfill Matt’s wish of owning a therapy dog,” said Nuss.
However, there were certain criteria surrounding Matt’s wish: first, the dog had to be a puppy; second, the puppy had to be a golden retriever; and, finally, the puppy had to be female. With these stipulations in mind, Nuss began her search for Matt’s future puppy.
Shortly thereafter, Nuss was put in contact with Jerry Sprague, a breeder of golden retrievers located in southern New Jersey.
“Just like myself, Jerry fell in love with Matt’s story and wanted to assist,” said Nuss. In fact, Sprague believed she had the perfect dog for Matt – a baby female golden retriever, a dog which Sprague thought was “always destined for something special.”
Nuss drove to New Jersey, took pictures of the puppy and sent them to Matt, who gave his approval.
“Normally,” said Nuss, “a golden retriever puppy like Molly would cost upwards of $1,200. However, Jerry insisted on waiving the fee entirely.” As such, Molly was delivered into Nuss’ care free of charge.
With a puppy now secured, Nuss began the task of training the dog in a manner that would best suit Matt’s needs. Although Nuss had substantial experience training a variety of dogs, Molly would be her first experience training a service dog.
Consequently, Nuss contacted an old friend and fellow dog trainer, Janet Chaplin, to assist her in preparing Molly prior to being delivered to Matt.
“Janet and I enrolled Molly in an ‘accelerated house training program,’ schooling her in all of the basics necessary in order for Molly to join a new family. We tried to rattle her, just to see what we would get from her. But, she handled everything perfectly; it was amazing,” said Nuss.
Additionally, the two trainers slowly began to introduce Molly, who will support Matt as a “mobility dog,” to the tasks that would soon be required of her on a daily basis. For example, they taught Molly to pick up items that had been dropped on the floor, to walk steadily next to her owner and to lie down for extended periods of time.
These were all tasks that are essential in order for a service dog to be truly helpful.
With her training sufficiently underway, it was time to deliver Molly into the hands of her future owner. The Tyson family, along with Nuss, Chaplin and nearly 50 other family members and friends surprised Matt with his wish in a ceremony that officially brought Molly into the Tyson family.
Molly’s union with Matt was very much a community effort. Marge Remolde, the press secretary for the Delaware County Kennel Club, helped build community support for Matt and Molly.
“It was wonderful to see the community bond together and help Matt,” said Remolde, who praised the assistance of Ray Vaneman of My Three Sons Fencing Co., who donated his labor, free of charge, to build a fence around the Tysons’ back yard.
“Also,” said Remolde, “the community raised $1,300 in order to cover the materials cost of the fence itself, and PETCO presented Matt and Molly with a $500 gift card.”
Following her arrival to the Tyson home, Molly immediately connected with Matt.
“While Molly is still young and may roughhouse with the other three Tyson boys, her demeanor is unique when around Matt – she is calm, composed and even protective,” noted Nuss.
Nuss, however, is not the only one to notice such an occurrence.
“Molly knows that Matt needs her. Their connection is truly incredible,” said Matt’s mom, Nancy.
The benefit of Molly’s presence at Matt’s side has proven to transcend merely physical assistance.
“Molly provides Matt with a degree of emotional strength that is on par – if not superior – to the physical aid she offers to Matt,” said Nuss, who has remained very close to the Tyson family throughout the entire process.
The bond between boy and dog is mutual. While the rest of the Tyson family is still trying to decipher Molly’s mannerisms, Nancy noted that “Matt seems to have effortlessly picked up on the many clues which provide an insight into Molly’s character.”
While Molly’s training as a service dog will continue for another year-and-a-half, her impact in the life of Matt Tyson has been immediate and profound. It is often said that a dog is a man’s best friend. For Matt and Molly Tyson, the friendship extends beyond mere companionship and into the realm of life-altering support.
