Nogglett, a resilient Jack Russell Terrier from St. Petersburg, Florida, has defied the odds after losing both of her eyes, finding success and joy in scent training.
The journey began when Nogglett, who had always been a lively and energetic dog, began facing vision problems in her later years. At six, she was diagnosed with cataracts, which severely impaired her vision. Surgery in 2019 temporarily restored some sight, but an accident later claimed her left eye. Two years afterward, glaucoma developed in her remaining eye, causing constant pain. In a bid to alleviate her discomfort, Nogglett’s owner, Linda Lutz, made the difficult decision to have the right eye removed.
“She basically had a migraine 24/7,” Lutz said, reflecting on the challenging period. “It was hard because I could see her personality change.”
In search of a way to help her dog regain a sense of purpose and joy, Lutz enrolled Nogglett in scent training at the Dog Training Club of St. Petersburg. The shift was immediate and remarkable.
“She fell in love with it,” Lutz said. “She’s an extremely happy dog now. She’s a working dog, and she loves to have a job.”
Despite her blindness, Nogglett quickly excelled in scent training, even winning a competition within her first year of training. According to Kelly Hansen, an instructor at the club, Nogglett’s transformation has been nothing short of inspiring. “She was an amazing little agility dog before, and now she’s thriving in scent work,” Hansen said.
Paul Kitwood, a trainer at the club, praised Nogglett’s abilities, highlighting how she has outperformed some sighted dogs. “We categorized it against other dogs with all the abilities they’re born with. Some of them can’t do what she does because she’s a different dog,” Kitwood explained.
Nogglett’s story has inspired many others, particularly those with blind dogs, to pursue new opportunities for their pets. Lutz hopes that her dog’s success will encourage others to never give up on their animals, regardless of their challenges.
“Find something your dog loves, and they’re going to blossom. There’s always something,” Lutz said, offering a message of hope to other pet owners.
Nogglett’s remarkable journey is a testament to resilience, showing that with the right support and training, dogs can overcome even the toughest obstacles.