- I would say it's more than just a form of mobility because it's a relationship too because you're together so much.

I can remember when I lost my first service dog due to cancer.

I can remember being at work.

I work downtown Nashville, worked there for 23 years, and so we were just together all the time, and so we were at work, and I remember, you know, him just not being there, and it felt like I was missing an arm or something because you are together so much and the teamwork that you develop and the relationship is just so amidst.

It's probably like if you know what it's like to have a pet and you lose that pet, but just multiply it a few times, and so, but dogs are really fast, so I can get places, and I'm kind of a (snaps) "let's go" kinda guy, and so I can say, "Dog, straight to the curb," and he'll go, and he'll go fast, and a lot of times, I'm having to wait on my sighted friends.

I'm like, "Hold up, hold up.

Steady," and so it's a very unique experience, and I can't lie, it is good to be able to lean down at any given time and get a good lick from your puppy, so there are some benefits to being blind.

- [Jerome] "A Slice of the Community" is made possible by the support of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.