Photo courtesy of Tavin Schulke

Senior Tavin Schulke plans to bring service dog Juna on campus this school year. “She’s supposed to come to school in April. I’ll be the only student with a service dog, so I will definitely get stares,” said Schulke. “That’s something I’m prepared for, but I feel like my school performance will improve when she gets here.”

Before Juna, the simple act of stepping outside was a task senior Tavin Schulke found difficult. Now, with his eight-month-old goldendoodle by his side, the challenges of high school seem conquerable.

“My anxiety is debilitating, and she’s able to help me in tasks that make navigating life easier. She is very supportive emotionally and physically. I used to not leave the house before I had her. With her, I can now go to the grocery store, which I wasn’t able to do before,” said Schulke.

Schulke’s anxiety caused him to continually face challenges that prevented him from keeping up with studies. Since Juna arrived, Schulke has noticed a change in academic performance.

“My sophomore year of high school, I barely went to school. I was not here except for maybe two months of school. Then, my psychiatrist recommended having a service animal, and my grades have gone up drastically, so she’s definitely helped a lot with that,” said Schulke.

As Schulke initially faced daily hurdles of his anxiety, he and his healthcare providers decided to find an alternative to medication with a multifaceted approach offering a better quality of life. Delving into the possibilities, Schulke discovered that a service animal may be the best option.

“My parents were actually really difficult to convince, but after I started doing more research, they saw that I was really serious about it. They’re fully on board now. My brother loves her and helps me train her. My family’s really supportive,” said Schulke.

Paperwork and legal documentation had to be filled after selecting Juna. The newfound support of Schulke’s family culminated in a memorable day, marking the beginning of a chapter for the whole family.

“We got her, and I was like, ‘this is actually happening!’ This is my dog. We started training the week we got her, and I knew she would be a great service animal,” said Schulke.

The first training Juna received was specifically for crowd control and behavioral interruptions. Juna started to help Schulke with balance support as well. These small victories symbolize a larger transformation in Schulke’s life. One aspect of that evolution is a newfound courage that fills his daily routine.

“I took her when I was doing my senior photos, and we went out to a restaurant, which is something I don’t do very often due to my anxiety. We took her with us and had a great experience,” said Schulke. “I definitely feel like I’m more outgoing and willing to do things. Now that I have gotten Juna, I feel like she has helped with my anxiety a lot, because I’m able to put myself out there more than I was.”

In addition to these encounters, the positive impact Juna has on Schulke’s life is a source of unspoken strength and joy. His companion brings not just assistance but also happiness and comfort.

“She’s so sweet, and she’s just like a little bundle of joy. I wish I had her sooner because I feel like my high school experience would have been better,” said Schulke.