Seventeen-year-old Caden Hillis, of Batesville, has faced medical challenges since the day he was born. Diagnosed with 1p36 deletion syndrome, a rare genetic condition, Hillis is nonverbal, visually impaired, uses a wheelchair, and experiences chronic seizures. Despite these obstacles, his life took a transformative turn last fall with the arrival of a highly trained service dog named Shiloh.
Shiloh, a three-year-old English Labrador trained by Snowy Pines White Labradors in Batesville, provides Caden with critical assistance—both physical and emotional. According to Caden’s mother, Tammy Hillis, Shiloh can sense when Caden is about to have a seizure and takes immediate action, offering calming pressure and licking Caden’s hands and arms to help shorten and soothe the episodes. This ability was not specifically part of Shiloh’s training but has emerged as a remarkable, life-changing bond between the two.
Snowy Pines, under the leadership of General Manager Gary Sevier, is renowned for breeding and training calm-tempered English Labradors. Service dogs like Shiloh undergo extensive training programs that prepare them for tasks such as body blocking to maintain personal space, light mobility assistance, and pressure therapy to reduce anxiety. Shiloh’s specialized training, combined with his deep connection to Caden, enables him to assist in crowded environments or situations that might otherwise overwhelm the teen.
Tammy Hillis explained that their journey to acquiring Shiloh began with the realization that a service dog could significantly enhance Caden's quality of life. Cost, however, posed a challenge. Service dogs can cost up to $50,000, but the nonprofit arm of Snowy Pines, Paws for a Purpose, helped the Hillis family raise the necessary funds over 10 months. Paws for a Purpose was established in 2023 to help make service dogs more accessible to families in need.
The family received Shiloh in September of last year. On his first day home, Shiloh adapted seamlessly to his new environment. Over time, he began alerting to Caden’s specific needs, especially his seizures, without being prompted. Tammy praised Snowy Pines’ ongoing support, including their app that allows families to track their dog's training progress through videos and updates.
Shiloh's impact extends beyond Caden’s medical needs. Tammy noted that the dog has become her son’s constant companion, providing emotional comfort in ways that family members simply cannot. “Caden doesn’t have friends or the usual companionship kids his age enjoy. But Shiloh is his best friend. He’s always there for him,” said Tammy. “It’s made a world of difference.”
Snowy Pines also assisted in acclimating Shiloh to Caden’s school environment, ensuring that teachers and students understood his role and respected boundaries.
Service dogs like Shiloh are not only highly trained but also carefully bred, with Snowy Pines managing the process from birth to final placement. According to Sevier, this vertical integration ensures high-quality training and temperament in their dogs. Retired breeding dogs also transition to loving homes, often with families of their offspring.
For Caden and his family, Shiloh has become more than just a helper—he’s a lifeline. “He’s a lifesaver for Caden,” Tammy said. “Having him has been wonderful. He’s given Caden a slice of heaven.”