Increase Independence with K9 CozyGo

Meet Cozy. She's a golden retriever, a cardiac alert and response dog, and the reason I can live my life. She detects dangerous changes in my heart rate and blood pressure before I even feel them. She goes everywhere with me: campus, the classroom, the grocery store, restaurants, airplanes, the restroom, jury duty. Everywhere.

But here's what most people never think about: while Cozy is doing her job, I'm doing mine - holding a leash, navigating a crowd, trying to pay for something, opening a door, carrying food, presenting at conferences, or teaching a class. For disabled service dog handlers, every outing is a balancing act between managing your dog and managing your life. And every leash on the market assumes you have a free and functional hand to spare.

I don't. And neither do a lot of handlers.

My name is Amanda Terrell. I'm a professor of Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Arkansas, a researcher, a mom, a volunteer, and a disabled service dog handler. My fellow Razorback, Dr. Laurie Apple, is a professor of apparel merchandising and product development. She knows textiles, design, materials, and manufacturing. Together, we're building something that doesn't exist yet: K9 CozyGo, a hands-free retractable leash-pack system designed specifically for disabled service dog handlers.

We named it after Cozy, because she's the reason it exists.

We've already built and tested a working prototype. I wore it for a week with Cozy during my regular daily life, and the difference was immediate. Shopping was easier, paying at a register was easier, using a public restroom was less stressful, medical appointments were less cumbersome, and dining out was less uncomfortable. For the first time, I had both hands free while Cozy stayed safely and legally connected and ready to task.

But that prototype also showed us what still needs work. It broke during testing. The quick-release mechanism needs refining. The traffic handle needs better placement. We need stronger materials, improved storage, and safety features like reflective elements for visibility. We need to get this right. Not just for me, but for every disabled handler who deserves a system built for their body, their mobility, and their life.

That's why we need your help right now.

This One Day, One U of A campaign funds the critical next steps: building improved prototypes with Dr. Apple's expertise in materials and construction, compensating disabled UA student handlers to test the system, professional safety and durability evaluation, manufacturing consultation, and beginning the patent protection process. Every dollar moves K9 CozyGo closer to becoming a real product that disabled service dog handlers across the country can actually use.

No product like this exists on the market. Not one. We’ve looked. There are leashes that clip to your belt, but they're not retractable and they're not safe for all disabled bodies. There are retractable leashes - they require a strong, pain-free hand and are cumbersome to juggle. There are attachments for wheelchairs - they can damage equipment and create hazards. Nothing combines hands-free operation, flexible control, ergonomic design, safety features, and storage in a system designed for disabled handlers. Until now.

Here's how you can help today:

• Make a gift: Any amount matters. Each dollar donated directly funds prototype development, user testing, and the work it takes to bring a new assistive device to life. By putting our dollars together, we can achieve big things!
• Spread the word: Share this page with anyone who loves dogs, Razorbacks, cares about disability access, supports veterans, or believes good design should include everyone. Text it. Post it. Send it to that one person you know who will get it.
• Cozy and I will be sharing updates as we go. Thank you for being part of building something that should have existed a long time ago.