 Nicci Ward and her service dog Dubs working at Dignity Health Advanced Imaging in Folsom, California. |
When Nicci Ward saw the article in the Insights newsletter asking employees to share how their pets support their well-being, she knew she had to share her story.
“How does your pet help your wellness? Well, let me tell you!” Nicci recalls with a laugh.
Nicci shared her five-year-old yellow Labrador, Dubs. While Dubs is a beloved member of her family, he isn’t just a regular pet. He is Nicci’s service dog.
“I really don’t know where I would be without Dubs,” she says.
Nicci is a U.S. Air Force veteran. She has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to an assault that occurred during her military service. For years, Nicci suffered from anxiety so severe that she rarely left the house except to go to work at Dignity Health Advanced Imaging in Folsom (California), where she is a CT/MRI tech.
 Dubs is trained to recognize anxiety in Nicci and help her reduce it. |
“I struggled in crowds and didn’t want to go anywhere, not even the grocery store,” Nicci recalls. “Then a counselor at Veterans Affairs (VA) recommended a service dog.”
Nicci was connected to Canine Companions, a national organization that provides highly trained service dogs to individuals in need at no cost. In late 2020, Nicci was approved for a service dog and paired with Dubs, who underwent two and a half years of training to learn to support Nicci and help relieve her PTSD symptoms.
“Before Dubs, I had trouble sleeping and would have frequent nightmares but not always wake up from them,” she says. “Dubs recognizes a nightmare and will jump on the bed and wake me up. He’ll lay across me to apply deep pressure and do what’s known as grounding, a technique to relieve anxiety.”
When Dubs is out in public with Nicci, he creates space around her to ensure she doesn’t become overwhelmed by crowds.
Perhaps most importantly, Dubs can recognize the beginnings of anxiety in Nicci before she even recognizes them herself.
 Dubs has helped Nicci gain confidence and enjoy her life again. |
“He notices when my heart rate starts to go up or if I start to get nervous,” she explains. “He can get my medication for me or alert my husband. If we’re at home, he’ll grab a blanket and try to get me to lay on the couch with him.”
At work, Dubs is a constant, calming presence.
“I work at a console, and he will lay at my feet under the desk all day,” Nicci says. “He even underwent special training so that he wouldn’t be bothered by the noises of the MRI machine. Because of him, I am able to be at work every day, all day.”
Nicci hopes that by sharing her story and the role Dubs plays in her life, she will help more people understand service dogs.
“Unlike emotional support animals which help keep their owner calm just by their presence, service animals have specific jobs to do to keep their owners safe,” she explains. “That’s why it’s so important not to distract a service animal. If they’re distracted by your attention, they won’t be able to do their job, which is to ensure the health and safety of their owner.”
 Nicci encourages people to consider volunteering or supporting Canine Companions, which provides service dogs like Dubs at no charge. |
Dubs’ support of Nicci and her well-being have earned him the title of CommonSpirit Pet of the Year, voted on by Nicci’s colleagues across the ministry. Nicci says she is honored but not surprised by Dubs’ honor.
“He’s always been Pet of the Year to me,” she says with a laugh. “He amazes me every day. I’m so happy he can represent Canine Companions, because they do so much for me, and I try to give back to them in any way I can. If you are looking for an organization to volunteer with or support, Canine Companions is a great one!”
Nicci says she will be forever grateful to Canine Companions and Dubs for giving her her life back.
“Now I’m confident again,” she says. “I know Dubs will always be there for me and will always do his job. Dubs has given me back my freedom and the confidence to enjoy life again.”
Division Winners: CommonSpirit Health Pet of the Year
Be sure to check out the CommonSpirit Health Pet of the Year division winners here. Thank you to everyone who shared their pets!
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