St. Ann Center is excited to welcome Wickett as our special guest at Darby’s Dash. Wickett is a 5 year old Shih Tzu/Pekingese Mix on wheels. In 2010 Wickett and his owner Sarah were in a car accident that left the young dog paralyzed. From then on his life in a two-wheel cart could not slow down this exceptional little dog. Still full of life, he immediately took to his wheels and now, he is even training to be a certified therapy dog.
At Darby’s Dash – St. Ann Center’s first ever pet-friendly and family-fun 5K run/1mile walk – participants will have the chance to meet Wickett and Sarah. Darby’s Dash was created to honor the amazing volunteer dogs that visit St. Ann Center on a daily basis to spend time with our adults and children at St. Ann Center. Wickett will not be staying home just because of his condition, and this event invites our pets, family, and friends to come outdoors and enjoy a community event and engage in an active lifestyle regardless of life’s challenges. Wickett and Sarah’s story relates closely to the lives of St. Ann Center’s clients – especially those who have their own wheelchairs. Read Sarah's perspective on how Wickett has changed her life; plus, how he continues to inspire her and everyone they meet.
Wickett on Wheels
“To say that my experience with Wickett has changed my world would be an understatement. Our car accident and what happened to him was the worst day of my life, but it turned into something really unique and beautiful. It has changed every part of my life, from my career to the way that I think about the world and being more attuned to the needs and situations of animals and people around me.”
In Early 2010 Sarah and her energetic Shih Tzu / Pekingese mix were on their way to work when they were T-boned by another driver speeding through a residential neighborhood. Both Sarah and Wickett were badly injured. Wickett shattered one of his spinal vertebrae and was instantly paralyzed.
“I asked my Grandma, who lost her leg below the knee to complications from a heart attack 10 years ago, what she thought about the idea of a dog in a cart. As a person living in a wheelchair, did she think it was mean to do this to a dog? Did she think his life would be happy? Her answer was the only one I needed to know, that I was making the right choice with Wickett. She said that yes her life was different after she lost her leg, but it was still her life and she loved it, and, if anyone tried to put her down she'd BITE them--and she thought that Wickett would say the same!”
For Sarah, caring for Wickett and his new needs was never a question, it was just a continuation of the promise she made when she adopted him. After much medical care and casts, they created a wheeled cart to allow Wickett to continue living a fairly normal dog’s life. It took some adjusting, but Wickett quickly learned that he could still do many things that other dogs do. Wickett is a perfect example of how happy and healthy an animal with a disability can be, given the right home care and love.
“When we go to the dog park he is always a topic of conversation and a really good opportunity for people to see his smiling face and maybe change the way they think about handicapped pets. He is very physically independent with the help of his cart, and at the dog park he will run across the field faster than I can to go meet new people and visit. I get every reaction from ‘Aww’ to ‘That's so awesome’ to ‘That poor thing, you should put him down’ to ‘I couldn’t do that’. People often praise me for caring for him.”
Sarah’s sentiments resonate with caregivers and so many clients’ stories at St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care, where people of all ages and abilities receive day services. Whether loved ones are elderly, disabled or 4-legged, they all deserve to experience life and quality care even through life’s toughest challenges.
“I never imagined how much Wickett would change my life. I have a best friend and companion in everything I do, and I have an opportunity in a compelling way to educate people and to pass on Wickett's love of life. He inspires me to be grateful and smile and always remember that the worst day of your life can turn into the best path life ever set you on.”
