Laura (center) is surrounded by her mother, Glenda, and cousin, Rob.
From the cold of Wisconsin to the heat of Arizona, Laura is an expert at adapting. A member of the DES Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), Laura brings her adaptive abilities to her living arrangements as well as her very own small business, Laura's Doggy Daycare.
Laura has been taking care of dogs since she was 18 when she worked at a Wisconsin humane society. Before moving to Anthem, Laura lived in the West Valley and had a client in Chandler. The client had eight big dogs and assigned Laura to care for two of them. She commuted from the West to East Valley via Dial-A-Ride,but when she moved to Anthem, she had to leave that job behind. Because there are no public transportation services in Anthem, Laura opened her home to shelter and care for nearby dogs from her three-bedroom home.
Prior to accepting a new four-legged customer, Laura interviews the pet's parent(s). She finds out the owner's preferences on feeding, walking and other care needs. She also screens for aggression. So far, she's only turned away one canine, who displayed signs of aggression. "Abby didn't like it," said Laura.
Nicknamed "The Dog Whisperer," Laura feels she's able to communicate with her furry charges and says her four-legged customers are happier with her than with a kennel. Plus, at her place, she says, they won't contract kennel cough.
"They get attention all the time," said Laura. "They don't want to go home when they have to leave." But when it's time for the furry customer to go home, she reassures them, "Don't worry, you're going to come back."
Laura and Abby stand ready to greet furry, four-legged customers into their home.
In Sheboygan, WI, Laura moved into an apartment at age 21. At 24, she moved into a condo. When her family moved to Arizona 12 years ago, Laura tried an adult developmental home. Not satisfied with the arrangement, Laura decided to strike out on her own again.
Glenda, Laura's mother, said: "I think she's a person who needs her space. And she can do it!" Glenda and others in Laura's extended family live north of Phoenix. With a little time, Glenda found a home for her daughter in Anthem.
Laura's beautiful and welcoming home features a good-sized backyard that backs onto a wash. She plans to plant more flowers and vegetables in a raised planter. A fountain and windchimes add to the listening enjoyment. Most of all, her dog, Abby, and cat, Kitty, help make Laura's house a home.
With a little help from DDD, including habilitation and attendant care, and her own feistiness, Laura maintains her home, prepares her meals, and runs her own business. Each is an accomplishment. In her mother's words: "Laura's living on her own in a house is astounding!"