Life & Work with Janie Lynn Heinrich of Pasadena

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janie Lynn Heinrich.

Janie Lynn, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 2010, a freak accident changed Janie Lynn Heinrich’s life forever. Facing a spinal injury, she refused to give up her independence. With her Poodle, Phoebe, and a team of dedicated therapists and trainers, Janie rebuilt her world, one step at a time. Together, they proved that determination, teamwork, and love can turn limitations into liberation, creating barrier-free pathways.

When Phoebe retired, Janie discovered how many others faced barriers to getting service dogs, especially those over 55. Instead of accepting “no,” she created a “yes”, founding MobilityDog, a nonprofit dedicated to training service dogs, empowering handlers, and building community through compassion and inclusion. Through educational workshops, we reach out to the community, inviting everyone to take the opportunity to say “yes,” we will be barrier-free and welcome all.

At MobilityDog, we believe independence should be joyfully putting the FUN in FUNctional. Each service dog team is a partnership built on trust, resilience, and presence. As our handler Carlos Benavides reminds us, we’re all “TAB” — Temporarily Able-Bodied, a reminder that ability can change in an instant, and empathy must always lead the way. There is nothing we cannot accomplish with an adaptable tool.

The nature of working with people is to understand that it is a process; each day is different. We must accept the reality of medical conditions and step into each unique situation with the honor and knowledge they practice. A Service Dog (SD) is not for everyone, but the possibilities are endless for those with a living medical equipment. Each SD Team has its style and grace, living on its terms. We can only create a healthy mingling environment, a strong community. The sparkle and determination to live life to the fullest make the best SD Handlers. (A handler is a person with a disability using the service dog as their medical equipment.)

The observations that resonate with Janie’s heart and mind are that we need to listen, observe, and be as present as possible. The SD understands their handler regardless of their abilities on any given day, as they pay attention to each cell. They intuitively know which task and pathway to follow to keep everyone safe and moving while working together. We only need to listen, pay attention, and be present, as these incredible teams flourish.

With service dog Beckett by her side, Janie continues to prove that true independence is not about moving alone; it’s about strolling forward, together. “ With SD Beckett at my side, I am self-reliant.” -Janie

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Call Me Disabled, It Is Okay!
By Janie Heinrich, mobilitydog.org

It is okay to call me disabled. I cannot help but notice that sometimes the word stumbles off your tongue, as if it should not be said, making it even more awkward.

People referencing me as disabled is not the issue. It is the way they treat me because I am disabled that is the real rub.

Just talk to me as you would anyone else; my spinal cord injury does not define who I am or change the joy of being present and living a whole life.

Acknowledge that I have been living with this disability have worked hard to find the tools that allow me the most significant movement to walk out my front door with my Service Dog, Beckett.

I will never forget a dear friend’s 60th birthday when she told me that my service dog was not welcome in their home, knowing full well that I needed Beckett to navigate with dignity and independence. For me, her statement shows complete indifference to me as a human being, “They would help me, they really did not mind at all,” and “My dog could run in their pool area it was not a problem.” To disregard my ability to function independently with my service dog at my side, in reality, reduces me to a chair, putting me in a position to depend on others for toilet runs, food, and drink while taking away my love of social mingling. I made the difficult decision not to attend; four years later, I have not been invited back.

It is essential to understand that we are people who embrace life, love, laugh, eat, cook, dance, sing, kayak, read, learn, garden, sew, hike, and so much more, just like you, only different.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
MobilityDog promotes barrier-free living, empowering people to achieve FUNctional independence. We build lasting partnerships with individuals facing mobility challenges, matching them with service dogs and adaptive tools that bring freedom, inclusion, and a sense of community. At MobilityDog, we unite service dog training and adaptive tools within an interactive community that supports and encourages people with disabilities to thrive with confidence in the world. We welcome Veterans and all people aged 16 or over with permanent mobility challenges.

MobilityDog raises, trains, and matches poodles with individuals, both Veterans and civilians with mobility disabilities. In addition, we provide wellness training, education, and support to individuals with mobility disabilities, helping them navigate and overcome the many obstacles they encounter daily. MobilityDog plays a key role in educating businesses, schools, and organizations about the role of service dog teams in the community. On March 18, 2024, MobilityDog became an Assistance Dog International (ADI) Candidate Program.

Only a remarkable canine can become a service dog. In training, we only use loving, positive reinforcement in socializing, playing, training, handling, doggie fun, educating, and tasking our dogs. Our Service Dogs-in-Training are raised with Puppy Culture, building confidence and preparing them for the world! We rehome our donated poodles from breeders and rescue agencies whose priorities are their health, temperament, and working ability. As a result, they love learning and working; happy dogs make the best service dogs!

MobilityDog works with people aged 16 or older. Each service dog handler must be able to care for their dog and be an active member of our community. Each service dog program is unique, with specialties and niches. Please read about MobilityDog and see if we are a good match! Questions are encouraged.

Our educational programs, PAWS that Empower, Reading Circles, and WAG, introduce the importance of Equality for All. We aim to provide each person with the knowledge and confidence to engage in discussions regarding perceived differences, fostering conversations that move forward. MobilityDog is here to support educational processes in schools, businesses, and the community as we teach vital living skills.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
-PAWS that Empower Workshops: Promoting Awareness, Wisdom, and Strength. Inspiring students to live and lead with knowledge, empathy, and confidence. Empowering individuals of all ages to embrace equality and understand diversity is the mission of PAWS that Empower, MobilityDog’s flagship educational program. Led by trained Facilitators and dedicated Service Dog Teams, we bring interactive workshops and presentations to classrooms, conferences, offices, and community gatherings.

Six workshops engaging activities and discussions focused on eight core values: Tolerance: Kindness and Gratitude: Empathy: Integrity: Compassion: and Equity and Equality to help participants gain valuable knowledge and the confidence to openly discuss perceived differences. This fosters a culture of mutual understanding and acceptance, breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive world. Our commitment goes beyond workshops. We collaborate with schools, businesses, and communities to advocate for ADA Law and create lasting change. By participating, you empower yourself and others, gain valuable knowledge, and support a cause that truly makes a difference.

PAWS that Empower is STEAM with a conscience. While traditional STEAM education focuses on science, technology, engineering, art, and math, it often overlooks a crucial element: Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). PAWS that Empower seamlessly integrates SEL skills like empathy, collaboration, and self-awareness into STEAM activities, fostering critical thinking and emotional intelligence – the hallmarks of impactful and meaningful projects.

-WAG is Guiding the Way to a Barrier-Free World. Empowering Businesses to Embrace Equality and Celebrate Diversity. WAG’s Public Access Workshop Description:

The mission of WAG, MobilityDog’s Public Access Workshop, is to empower businesses, government offices, medical and allied health programs, and all places of public access to embrace equality and understand diversity.

Led by dedicated Service Dog Teams, WAG brings interactive workshops and engaging presentations to conferences, offices, classrooms, and community gatherings. The goal is to create solutions that support FUNctional independence and promote barrier-free access for all.

Through hands-on activities and guided discussions, participants explore themes of Tolerance, Equality, and Equity, gaining both knowledge and the confidence to openly engage in conversations about differences. This fosters a culture of respect and acceptance—breaking down barriers and building a more inclusive world.

Pricing:

• $35,000 to raise a service dog (2yrs)
• $1500.00 a year to support ongoing training of service dog
• $500.00 to support PAWS Workshop series in schools
• $350.00 to support WAG Workshops for public access
• $ 10.00 to 250.00 supports tools for independence.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mobilitydog.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mobilityservicedogs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mobilityservicedogs/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janieheinrich/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MobilityDog
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/7lLEYINQaTCJxc1rLp

Image Credits
MobilityDog Community at ARF! Accessibility Resource Fair, First Saturday in May at Pasadena City Hall, MobilityDog.Org/poodlepalooza

The MobilityDog Community on fieldtrips and training meetups.

Photos owned by MobilityDog