MANSFIELD, TEXAS — I’ve been a NextHome real estate agent for two years. I’m also a mom. Those two worlds collided in the most beautiful way through NextHome’s support of Canine Companions.

This partnership feels personal because I see its impact every single day. My incredible 16-year-old daughter, Sarah, leads a confident, independent life with the help of Kelsey — our Canine Companions service dog.

Sarah is a vibrant teenager with so much life in her. But since she was a baby, she has struggled with severe joint pain, mobility issues, and fainting spells. Her skin bruises easily, and wounds take a long time to heal. It was a lot for a young child to handle.

When Sarah was eight years old, we finally got answers. She was diagnosed with both Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). Some days she can walk just fine and be a sassy teenager. Other days she needs a cane, and sometimes she needs a wheelchair. If Sarah accidentally drops her phone on the floor, the POTS can trigger seizure-like episodes if she bends down to pick it up.

As a mom, you worry about your kids. This could get better over time — but it could also get worse. What will her future look like? Will she be able to live a full, independent life?

Watching Sarah navigate school, social interactions, and everyday activities was heartbreaking. We were often in the hospital. That’s where we first discovered Canine Companions.

This nonprofit’s highly trained facility dogs working at the hospital would visit Sarah’s room. When we learned that Canine Companions provides service dogs — free of charge — to families navigating life with disabilities, we immediately began the long, detailed application process.

Eventually, Sarah and I traveled to Dallas, Texas, for a week of training and meeting the dogs.

On the second day of training, Sarah had a medical episode and fainted. We got her on the floor, and almost immediately, Kelsey was at her side. She wouldn’t leave until Sarah was okay. From that moment, it was clear they were meant for each other. Moments like that show just how attuned Kelsey is to Sarah’s needs. It was an instant, unspoken bond.

That was almost three years ago. Since then, Kelsey has given Sarah freedom — and freedom changes everything.

Kelsey can retrieve items, open doors, turn on lights, and even help Sarah get dressed on her hard days. But Kelsey’s most important role is providing support and peace of mind.

The difference in Sarah’s life is remarkable. At doctor’s appointments, she stands taller. My daughter has more confidence than ever before. She knows that if she drops something, she doesn’t have to worry. And when she doesn’t feel good, she’s not alone.

Having Kelsey by her side has given Sarah the confidence to live her life more fully. She no longer has to rely on others when she’s having a bad day. Kelsey is always there — ready to lend a paw or provide a calming presence. For me as a parent, that peace of mind is priceless.

NextHome’s partnership with Canine Companions is just one more example of how this company puts humans over houses. It has also transformed how I approach real estate.

NextHome’s people-first focus has taught me the importance of being intentional, compassionate, and deeply present with every client. Before I think about the transaction, I focus on listening to people’s stories — because buying or selling a home isn’t just about the paperwork. It’s about creating a safe and supportive place where life can truly happen.

In many ways, the mission of Canine Companions mirrors what I strive to do as an agent. A safe home and a service dog both open doors to a better life. That perspective has reshaped how I guide clients, reminding me that every decision we make together is ultimately about improving quality of life.

This partnership also reflects the values I want to embody in my career. Working with a company that supports an organization that has directly impacted my family makes me proud to represent them. It reminds me daily that real estate, at its best, is about community, connection, and creating opportunities for people to thrive.

When your company’s mission aligns with your heart, you work differently.