If I had to sum up my Atlas internship experience in three words, they would be listening, learning, and growing.
I was born profoundly deaf and hear using cochlear implants. Growing up, I had been asked multiple times if I ever wanted a service dog. I always shook my head no and quickly mentioned a barrier: the price or the waiting time. Instead, I choose to leverage technology and its power as an accessibility tool. For tasks that a hearing alert dog would do, I explored and found technology that would do the same thing. Indeed, that reliance upon technology fostered a love for it, motivating me to become a computer science major, with dreams of working in the field of human-computer interaction. Despite this love, I am well aware of technology’s imperfections, so when I discovered Atlas’ mission, I was captivated.
During my 10 weeks that I had the privilege to work for Atlas, I was honored to get to explore a variety of projects, ranging from client interviews to technology integration. From sitting in on meetings to rich discussions, by listening to Atlas employees, clients, and trainers, I was able to learn and appreciate in a new light the role a service dog plays in someone’s life: not simply a tool, but a partner in navigating a disability.
Prior to this summer, I mentally sorted service dogs into categories: hearing, vision, allergy alert, or seizure alert. With a disability, there is no one-size-fits- all, and it was amazing to learn about the variety of tasks a service dog can take and be uniquely trained to assist an individual for an individual’s needs. A dog can be trained to fulfill both the roles of being a medical alert dog and for tasks relating to mental health conditions. Indeed, prior to this summer, I didn’t know much about psychiatric service dogs. Now, I won’t be quick to sort a service dog into a category as the tasks dogs are trained for can be as unique as someone’s disability.
My favorite part of the summer was getting to interview Atlas clients who shared their personal stories and taught me that each service dog decision, experience, and training may have parallels, but are just that: personal. I appreciated how Atlas strove to meet clients where they are and reflects a wide range of different narratives embodying its commitment to inclusion and diversity. If you were kind enough to let me interview you this summer, thank you for sharing your story and shifting my perspective on what having a service dog can be.
Through exploring a range of technology projects, which I won’t bore you with, I was able to grow my understanding of how nonprofit organizations employ technology and different technology careers. I have a greater appreciation for data management and sandbox testing that will follow me beyond this internship. Working with Atlas was not my first time working in the realm of civic service or the public sector, yet it was my first time working with an organization that prioritized disability inclusion. Even more so than debugging, it is the experience of working for a nonprofit that is deeply committed to inclusion, mental health, and serving others that is truly unforgettable. Regardless of what career I may end up in, this internship raised my standards of what an organization has the capacity to be and what type of human I want to be.Â
Now, when someone asks if I will have a service dog, I say maybe instead of no. I’m now aware that price and waiting lists are not the same barriers that they once were because of companies like Atlas. Instead of making a decision to not get a service dog based on barriers in the service dog industry, I know whatever decision I make will be one of thoughtful consideration and dedication towards personal accessibility. I may one day return to Atlas as a client or continue to rely on technology. Regardless of my future decision around a service dog, I am grateful to Atlas for expanding my understanding of the world of service dogs.
Although my time at Atlas is nearing its end, I hope to continue working on a volunteer basis and embodying its mission of accessibility and inclusion. I would like to give a special thank you to Mark, Jen, Lisa, and Molly for helping me listen, learn, and grow this summer.
About Rachel
Rachel Wetherington is a college sophomore from Snellville, Georgia who is studying computer science at Princeton University. Rachel enjoys traveling, reading, and baking. She’s passionate about working towards inclusion and technology.
About Atlas Assistance Dogs
Atlas Assistance Dogs is a non-profit organization that fundamentally expands access to assistance dogs. We support people with disabilities to train and certify their own service dog using positive, ethical training methods. At Atlas, we believe anyone who would benefit from a qualified assistance dog should be able to have one.Â
We work with people with a wide range of disabilities who wish to train their own service dog as well as offer a comprehensive Academy for professional trainers wanting to become service dog trainers. For more information about Atlas’ Client Certification program or other training services, please visit www.atlasdog.org or contact info@atlasdog.org.
