Dominique Kogut – That's how she rolls

Dominique Kogut and Retriever Miss Rosalie are a well-rehearsed human-dog team. However, the media designer does see room for improvement in the training of assistance dogs. Where a journey would go if her savings would be sufficiant and why her own claim to herself prevents her from writing a book, she tells us at REHACARE.com.

What makes you laugh?

Dominique Kogut: My assistant dog Miss Rosalie.

What have you always been wanting to do and why have you never done this so far?

Dominique Kogut: I have always wanted to write a book that will be published and available in the bookstores. But I am very self-critical and I don't think my writing style is good enough. And on the other hand, I'm not sure if my topics would be interesting enough for a larger audience. But I'll stay tuned and maybe this will work some day. ;-)

Which person has influenced you most? And why?

Dominique Kogut: I think everyone is affecting me somehow. On the one hand, those who motivate me and drive me to keep up, but above all those who don't trust me with certain things. This only spurs me even more to find a way to create something "impossible"!

You have the chance to become the Commissioner for the Disabled in your country. What would you do first?

Dominique Kogut: There are many important topics, but in my opinion, the topic of assistance and companion dogs has been neglected lately. On the one hand, there are still no standard regulations that specify that the trained dogs may be taken everywhere (enlightenment would be very important here). On the other hand there are still no nationally recognized training guidelines and examinations, both for the dogs and for the trainers! There is a lot going wrong at the moment and I see an urgent need for action!

Dominique Kogut: My dog and people close to me (including friends who may be far away but are always there for me when I need them).

I would like to be ...

Dominique Kogut: ...on the road to travel. There are so many things I would like to see with my own eyes! But Disney World/Disneyland is at the top of the list. Since I have seen the opening of the Paris Park on TV as a child, I have wanted to visit Mickey & Co. - but as it is: As soon as you have saved up something, an expensive car repair, a veterinary bill, an additional payment for electricity or something else comes along and you start saving again from scratch. And so far it has not been easy to save anything at all due to the so called Federal Participation Law.

Which question would you like to get answered?

Dominique Kogut: The question of all questions: Which came first - chicken or egg?

What else I wanted to say about me...

Dominique Kogut: No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else. - P.T. Barnum (The Greatest Showman)