 "Photo: Courtesy Photo")
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."
LaCombe has been in a wheelchair for 13 years because of a car wreck that broke her neck. Aggie organizations such as Freshman Aggies Spreading Traditions (FAST) and Alpha Phi Omega have helped raise money for LaCombe to continue physical therapy.
"My main goal is definitely to walk across the stage when I graduate," the junior finance major said. "The Aggie community has been extremely supportive with events on campus and even with the construction of my house."
In 2005, a group of Aggie architecture students teamed up for Project Mandy, a construction design team to help make LaCombe's house more accessible. LaCombe said she agrees the Aggie family shares many of the same values as THSD.
"Everyone at THSD and the Aggie family, has contributed with such love and care," LaCombe said. "I would definitely encourage every Aggie to support THSD in any way."
"I'm sorry to say that I don't recall getting any help from U.T. students," Soltes said. "We've had fundraising and awareness events on campus, but still they haven't responded to the THSD the way I, especially as a Texas Ex, would hope."
According to Soltes, U.T. is like a "campus of anonymous people," where A&M is a more encouraging community. THSD has placed at least six dogs with Aggies and received donations in those names from other Aggies.
"In fact, let's make this year's Mighty Texas Dog Walk a competition between the Aggies and Longhorns," Soltes said. "As far as I'm concerned, the more maroon we have in this year's Mighty Texas Dog Walk, the better."
The common values of service and community between THSD and the Aggie family has inspired a former student, Ginny Stover, Class of 1987, to devote her career to the organization.
"When I was on campus and needed help, at least 20 Aggies would show up," Stover said. "That's how THSD is. Everyone here is so passionate about what they do and it's an unexplainable blessing to be able to help give someone more independence."
When Bonfire fell in 1999, a golden retriever named Austin, a THSD-trained service dog, helped find one of the survivors under the rubble. Stover said before Christmas, THSD was able to give an applicant a service dog graduate who came from the Aggie Guide-Dogs and Service-Dogs student organization. Even Reveille VIII was found by a THSD former trainer, Becky McClintock.
"With such a long history of intersecting with Aggieland, it would be a shame for that to end," Soltes said. "Even if we beat the world record for most dogs, it would be an empty victory without tons of Aggies in Austin and broadcast over news stations. We need the Ags to come help us and show the T-sips who's boss."
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