Issue date: 4/13/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Courtesy Photo Mandy LaCombe is seen with her service dog Onyx. LaCombe, who has been confined to a wheelchair for 13 years, was placed with Onyx in February through the Texas Hearing and Service Dogs. She said the pair is "still learning." [Click to enlarge]

The Aggie family is home to nearly 1,000 student organizations dedicated to service. Even with all the goodwill the Aggie family has given over the years, there's room for improvement when it comes to Aggies serving a more specific portion of the Texas community, such as those who benefit from Texas Hearing and Service Dogs.

"We share the values of the Aggie family," THSD founder Sheri Soltes said. "We really stress helping each other, and I've always been impressed by A&M's eagerness to include everyone."

Soltes, an honors graduate from the University of Texas School of Law, established THSD in 1988. THSD is a nonprofit organization that rescues dogs from shelters and trains them to assist Texans with various disabilities.

The cost of rescuing and training each dog costs nearly $18,000, which is waived to recipients of THSD's waiting list. To achieve the funds, THSD accepts donations and puts on the annual Mighty Texas Dog Walk.

"The Dog Walk is definitely our biggest fundraising event of the year," Soltes said. "For this year, we're trying to break the world record for the largest dog walk.

"As a Longhorn, I'm challenging any and all Aggies with dogs to participate," Soltes said. "It would really show up U.T. if we had 5, 000 dogs with their Aggie owners dressed in maroon and walking all over Austin."

Soltes explained compatible personalities and the size of dog are considered when placing a dog with a Texan in need. For example, the height and weight of a balance dog must be proportionate to someone needing balance assistance.

"They're so unbelievably helpful," said Mandy LaCombe, Class of 2006, who was placed with a service dog named Onyx in February. "She's so smart. Onyx opens doors, grabs my purse, and we're still learning."

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