Service dog leads the way for girl on the go

A traditional softball game between Arlington Park employees and Arlington Park Police Department members played out earlier this month, but the reward went beyond bragging rights.

Players from both teams got to meet Trinity, the 2-year old service dog they had raised money for at last year's game, to aid 15-year old Regina Piemonte of Arlington Heights.

The teen has a rare chromosomal disorder with a secondary diagnosis of autism, and last year's game helped to raise $10,000 to fund the specialized dog trained to keep track of her.

As is common with autism, Regina likes to wander. Mostly, she likes to go outdoors and head for her favorite destination, the St. Viator High School playing fields to watch teams practice.

But her parents, Art and Mary say, she can wander off at the mall or whenever they are out. Even at home, it is difficult to make dinner or be out in the yard with her, since her impulse is to leave.

"We have to lock all the doors and windows and even turn the power off in the garage," Mary Piemonte says. "She's so fast, we have to watch her constantly."

Now, with Trinity, a yellow lab mix, they can relax, she says. Trinity is trained in tethering, search and rescue, and behavior disruption.

Local organizations such as Picket Fence Realty and the Arlington Heights Noon Rotary Club worked behind the scenes to organize the fundraiser while Arlington Park and the Arlington Heights Police donated their prize money from the game.

Regina and her family visited this year's game, held at a softball diamond near the racetrack, to show off the dog. They had just returned home from two weeks of intensive training with Trinity.

Last month, the couple and their daughter visited 4 Paws for Ability based in Dayton, Ohio, which was the first agency to train dogs specifically for children with autism. There, they met Trinity for the first time and, despite initial worries, Regina immediately warmed up to the dog.

"It's been amazing," says her mother, Mary. "They clicked right away. We already have a dog, but somehow Regina knew this was different."

Each day, they sat through a morning filled with classroom instruction before heading out to a mall or forest preserve in order to give Trinity a chance to track her scent. Trinity also knows to disrupt some of Regina's repetitive behaviors. When she bites her clothing, the dog nuzzles in her face until she stops.

They were among 10 families who had flown in from around the country to get to know their dogs.

While Regina is not tethered to the dog in the house, she willingly submits to the tether being placed around her waist and hooked onto Trinity's harness when they go outdoors.

One of her parents walks with Trinity, with Regina walking behind them. Occasionally, Regina gets to hold the dog's short leash, which is her favorite thing to do.

Both Regina and her dog enjoy the outings, her parents say.

"That's all Trinity wants to do," Mary Piemonte says, "put on the harness, and go."

Good thing, because that's what Regina wants to do, too.