Adam & Tiki

Finding Freedom with Tiki

American naturalist and writer Roger Caras once said, “Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole.” For civil engineer and car enthusiast Adam, those words have never been more true since being partnered with FSD Service Dog Tiki—the dog who changed Adam’s life forever.

Long before meeting Tiki, life was much different for Adam. He lived for adrenaline-filled activities, especially if they included his motorcycle. He was adventurous, ambitious, and social. He never turned down the opportunity to spend time with his friends at breweries, car shows, and sporting events. He was as free as free can be. But as life goes, things change.

While riding his motorcycle one day, Adam was involved in a devastating accident. Though he survived, his injuries were severe, requiring a hemipelvectomy amputation—the surgical removal of part of the pelvis and Adam’s left leg. In an instant, the freedom he had once known was replaced with pain, mobility challenges, and the overwhelming reality of adapting to life using a wheelchair. 

The once outgoing busy-body who loved chasing excitement, Adam became isolated. Simple everyday tasks became monumental obstacles, and the life he had once had felt out of reach. He struggled, not just with the physical limitations, but with the emotional toll of losing the person he once was. That was until he met FSD Service Dog Tiki.

Tiki, a silly and lovable Labrador and golden retriever cross, had spent nearly two years training to become a life-changing assistance dog. She learned how to perform tasks, such as carrying groceries, pressing automatic door buttons, retrieving items, performing deep pressure therapy, and opening and closing doors. From the beginning of Tiki’s life, it was clear that she was special and had an innate desire to help someone in need. Not only was she able to perform important tasks, but she had a talent of making people smile and brightening every room she entered. Adam was her destiny all along. 

When Adam got the call from Freedom Service Dogs that Tiki was his perfect match, he felt something he hadn’t felt in a long time—hope.

He packed up his car and made the long three-day drive to Colorado to meet Tiki. “I was really nervous to meet her at first,” Adam admitted. “I felt like there was a lot on the line, and I was worried it wouldn’t work out after all these years of waiting for her. As soon as I met Tiki and got to take her home with me for the first time, it became evident that I didn’t have anything to worry about with her. She was exactly what I needed.”

After two weeks at FSD bonding with Tiki, going on outings with the FSD trainers, and learning her unique cues, the two started their long journey back home. 

“When we got home, there was an immediate change in my life,” Adam said. Everyday tasks that were once challenging or nearly impossible for Adam, such as picking up dropped items, opening and closing doors, and grocery shopping, were now possible with Tiki by his side. He shared, “Tiki gives me peace of mind. My chair is high off the ground, so picking things up can be dangerous for me when I drop them. Before, I would have to figure out how to pick them up without getting hurt. It was also a difficult ordeal to shut doors behind me when leaving the house. Tiki makes life easier for me now and has removed my fear of falling because I no longer have to pick things up or maneuver to shut the door. It might seem small, but for me, it’s life changing.”

Tiki’s impact goes far beyond physical assistance that allows Adam to live more independently. She is his constant companion, his source of strength, and a reminder that he is still capable of living life to the fullest. With her by his side at all times, Adam is able to be the person he wants to be and do the things he has always dreamed of doing. As Adam explained, “The biggest impact Tiki has made for me is boosting my mental health. I’m happier in general, and she makes my days so much better. I’m much more comfortable going out with friends and to the grocery store. Tiki has given me my life back.”

With a renewed sense of hope and possibility, Adam looks forward to a future filled with the activities he loves, such as going to car shows, car races, and large sporting events with Tiki. He is grateful to FSD for not only matching him with Tiki but for doing so at no cost to him. “FSD has changed my life. One of the biggest concerns I had when I was looking into getting a service dog was the cost. FSD provided Tiki to me for free. There are so many people like me who need a service dog and can’t afford one, and FSD removes that barrier. If you’re going to donate, give to an organization like FSD that makes an impact for those who need it most.” 

FSD Dogs like Tiki don’t just provide assistance—they restore independence, hope, and happiness. By giving a gift of any amount to FSD today, you can play a pivotal role in helping create more of these life-changing partnerships.

Give now, and make a lasting difference in the lives of people living with disabilities.

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Would you or someone you know benefit from the partnership of a Freedom Service Dog? If so, please contact FSD at [email protected] or call 303-922-6231 for more information.

Published 3/20/2025