Article written for the University of Buffalo andย originallyย published on the school’sย website.
Christopher Salemโs pragmatic attitude toward his progressive degenerative eye disease had earned him the admiration of co-workers and students. But when he took his new associate, Pancho, down the halls of the School of Managementโs Alfiero Center, the reaction was downright adoring.
โLook at those eyes,โ Salem heard students say. โHeโs beautiful. I want to hug him.โ
Salem was elated. โMary,โ he told a co-worker in the Career Resources Center, where he advises undergraduate students. โAt 51, Iโve still got it.โ
Of course, he knew the ogling and droolingโat least most of itโwas over Pancho.
Panchoโs arrival in June meant adjustmentโfor Salemโs three children, who had to resist treating him as a pet until Panchoโs six-week training period ended, and for the wide-eyed School of Management admirers who had to restrain themselves from throwing their arms around Panchoโs huggable frame and kissing his soulful face.
After years of adapting to retinitis pigmentosa, a disorder leading to progressive, irreversible sight loss (a good day, says Salem, is making eye contact with students sitting across from him), a welcome logistical support system came in the form of this yellow Labrador with liquid eyes, an irresistibly pettable coat and magnetic personality.
โHe always wants to please, always wants to make sure everything is all right. Heโs there to protect me so I donโt fall. But he seems to look out for my mental state, too.โ
Salem happily shares Pancho with the School of Management community. Weeks after Panchoโs training period ended, Salem declared a โplay dayโ when the dogโs harness stayed off and everyone could bond.
โHe was running up and down the long hallway, hitting every office, as if to say โIโm free!โ โโ Salem says.
The CRC community celebrated Panchoโs presence, even on-duty. Pancho sleeps on a dog bed in the corner of Salemโs office, his four legs in the air. A co-worker took a cellphone picture of him this way and sent it via office email. Subject line: โPancho hard at work.โ And Pancho got his own UB magnetic nametag: โPancho: School of Management.โ
โSome of our most fun moments have been welcoming Pancho, working with Chris to make sure weโre treating Pancho the right way to be a guide dog, and coming up with ideas to announce him as our newest employee,โ says Gwen Appelbaum, assistant dean and CRC director. โPancho is a member of our team now.โ
At home, where Salem relies on the support of his wife, Melody, and three children, Pancho has re-opened the neighborhood. Salem and Pancho explore the streets morning and evening. Mobility is an issue: โNot having the freedom to drive someplace can be incredibly frustrating.โ
But Salemโs incessant willingness to adjust has served him well. Pancho is the latest evidence.
โI just keep moving forwardโIโm not smart enough to realize there might be other choices. Itโs a full life. This is not living in adversity. Itโs working with what you have.โ