Living with a dog means living with ubiquitous clumps of fur (a vacuum's nemesis) and uncomfortably wet kisses. All that shedding and all that drooling – it's the scourge of dog ownership. But not in this story...
Will Gibney '26 lives with a neuroinflammatory disease called autoimmune encephalopathy (AE). He was also diagnosed as a child with immunodeficiency, meaning his body didn't produce the number and quality of antibodies required to fight infections. The consequences? Tics, seizures, panic, obsessions, compulsions, and the list gets worse from there.
Will required two infusions of antibodies and proteins from human donors (10,000 donors at a time were required for each infusion) which were given a year apart, but the infusions didn't have any lasting effect. He was about to undergo a 12-month course of regular infusions, but he was too ill from other infections (a combination of pneumonia and the coxsackievirus) so doctors held off on the infusions. Three months later, Will’s blood work indicated a positive immune response that his body had not demonstrated before. His symptoms started to subside, and he hasn't required an infusion since. Magic? Nope. Toshi.
When Will was 11, his family hoped a service dog might help ease his anxiety. His mom applied to Canine Companions, a service that matches dogs to clients at no cost to the families. Will spent days playing with the available service dogs hoping to pick the best match. Though, as Will points out, he didn't pick Toshi.
"At the facility, Toshi kept watching me. You don't choose the dog, the dog chooses you. Toshi's been with me ever since. He's very kind and caring. He's made my life so much better. He's made me healthier."
Healthier in a way nobody could have predicted. Will took Toshi home right around the time the infusions were delayed. For the next few months, Will cared for Toshi, and Toshi slept in Will's bed. They were inseparable. But Toshi wasn't just Will's emotional aid, he was the medicine. Will's mom, Laura (Zebrowski '96) Assaf, Psy. D., explains.
"There is research that indicates that exposure to animal dander and saliva changes the microbiome of the gut, and that a healthy gut improves brain function and decreases inflammation. There is a lot of research that indicates that intense exposure to animals improves immunity."
To oversimplify, dog kisses were the magic potion. It's the type of tale that would make for a great children's book... so, Will wrote it (and illustrated it). Will told the story of his relationship with Toshi from Toshi's perspective. All of the proceeds from My Boy, Will were donated to Canine Companions. Will and Toshi's story was also the focus of a piece in last month's issue of Woman's World.
My Boy, Will was published while Will was still in high school. The next adventure for the dog and his best friend? College. Will and Toshi are roommates in Hines Hall, and both are settling nicely into college life. Even if it's a life that Will had never imagined for himself.
"For the longest time, I didn't want to go to college. But in 2020, my mom took me and my cousin on a visit to St. Rose. After that, we went to Siena. My mom and father went here. I knew right away that Siena felt like the right place. So far, it's been great. People on campus love Toshi. Sometimes I'll keep my door propped open so people can stop by and see him."
Will Gibney '26
"Twelve years ago we could not predict what Will’s future would hold. The fact that he is a Siena Saint and a legacy (as well as a recipient of the Presidential and St. Francis scholarships given just how much he achieved in high school) is beyond thrilling for me! The fact that he is adjusting so well, that Tosh has been welcomed with open arms, and that Will is so happy is all I could pray for, and I have such peace knowing that he is exactly where he is meant to be."
Laura (Zebrowski '96) Assaf, Psy. D.
Paying It Forward
Will credits Toshi for making him a better person. Not just healthier, but better.
"He keeps me calm. I have a lot of test taking anxiety. He helps with that. He's with me for doctor's visits. Sometimes, I was a disturbance before Toshi. He's helped me grow out of that behavior. He's taught me responsibility. He's made me more mature. I have all of these opportunities now because of Toshi."
Will's family has seen up close the transformative impact a service dog has made in his life. They want that for other people in similar situations. So they reached back out to Canine Companions, but for a different reason, as Will's mom explains:
"We get the puppies at eight weeks of age, then return them to Canine Companions at 18 months and they go through six months of advanced training before they meet their forever person. The third puppy we raised is about to graduate with his recipient on October 14."
Not every puppy is cut out for the life. Gem failed the program (which is very common), but is now living with Will's family permanently as a pet. Illini passed the course with flying colors. He's now paired with a veteran who suffers from PTSD. Tenney is the next to graduate, and Kennedy is just beginning his journey. Someday, a person in need will choose Kennedy. Or, more accurately, someday Kennedy will choose the person he's meant to save.