WILTON, Iowa – Wilton resident Trisha Baker, 31, always has an angel by her side.

That’s what she calls her service dog, Kieko, a 2-year-old mutt with caramel-colored eyes and a bushy tail.

Baker found the  name in a book of baby names and said Kieko means “adored” in Japanese.  She sent her to Starlite Academy in Bennett for three weeks to have her trained as a service dog.

“What I love most is she understands,” Baker said.

In an effort to curb training cost for others, Baker is starting Paws 4 Pain, a non-profit organization with a mission to provide scholarships for those who need service dogs and training.

“I can’t imagine someone telling me ‘You can’t have this wonderful animal that will bring you joy,’” she said.

Baker’s life has been riddled with pain. After undergoing a Cesarean section to deliver her son, Isiah, now 10, she experienced a hernia and chronic pain, which, she said, “feels like labor contractions all the time.”

After getting her rambunctious dog two years ago and having her trained, Baker said Kieko is with her all of the time, barking before she has a bout of pain or pawing at her face to help take her focus away from the pain.

Baker said she wants to provide the opportunity for a canine companion for others with special needs.

“People think service dogs are just for people who are blind,” Baker said. “A service dog can help with physical, mental and emotional needs.”

Since having Kieko and her two cats, Gino and Nigzi, Baker said her pain has diminished. Though she still experiences some  pain, the comfort her pets have brought her has led her to swim daily, throw away her cane and lose 40 pounds.

When Baker finds herself in a hospital now, her dog stays in the hospital bed with her, keeping her blood pressure and pulse normal.

“It’s so awesome to have her beside me,” Baker said. “Just petting her calms me down.”

In an effort to get Paws 4 Pain recognized, Baker said she’s  started forming a board and has a vice president and treasurer. She’d like to add volunteers and newsletter recipients in the coming months.

“Because of the great experience I’ve had, I want to start this organization for others,” Baker said. “That’s what Paws 4 Pain came down to.”

Baker is still in the early stages —raising money by selling Paws 4 Pain T-shirts and hosting a garage sale  on Oct. 10 to pay for the $750 tax-exempt and non-profit fees for Iowa. The start-up costs for Paws 4 Pain would be $2,000.

In the meantime, she’s working hard to find a way to educate the community about her program. She hopes to start a Web site with “Kieko’s Diary,” an updated blog “written from Kieko’s point of view,” Baker said. She’d like to work with local animal shelters so trainers can choose future service dogs from shelters first.

“I’m trying to benefit animals and people,” she said.

Details:

What: Paws 4 Pain Garage Sale

When: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10.

Where: 108 E. 5th St., Wilton

For information and donations: Call 563-260-9168 or send e-mail to paws4pain@yahoo.com.