In a lot of ways, Pepsi is like any other dog. But it’s what she brings to Shelby Travers’ life that makes her special.
“Pepsi means independence. She means safety, she means security. She means the world to me,” said Travers.
When Travers was 14, she suffered a stroke that led to the loss of vision.
“I currently only have left peripheral vision,” she explained.
Her vision has changed, but one thing hasn’t, her love for running.
“I’ve got this tattoo of a dog on my leg, and his name was Track, because I love track so much. But I was a sprinter, so the 400 meter was what I always competed in,” said Travers.
Thanks to Pepsi, Travers is back to running, and just like she did as a track athlete, Pepsi leads the way, ensuring that Shelby avoids barriers and is running a clear path. They’re a team, and every time they go for a run, their bond grows.
“When she does a traffic check and stops me from a car hitting me. All those moments keep building up that trust more and more, and it’s just yeah, it’s a really special thing that I get to experience with her.”
On Sunday, Travers will be breaking barriers as she’ll run a 5k race at the Edmonton marathon, her first race without a sighted guide.
“I hear it all the time. People are like, I don’t know what I do if I went blind, and I always think I’m like, you do the exact same thing I’m doing. You would, because it’s the situation you’re in. And that’s the beauty of humanity, is that we have this desire and this urge to keep on keeping on.”
Pepsi will celebrate her third birthday when Shelby crosses the finish line on Sunday, a special day for this dynamic duo, as their trust in one another continues to grow.