Hope has a funny way of showing up when you least expect it, and the story behind Barley’s dream is a perfect example.
Sometimes, it arrives with a wagging tail and a wet nose.
For me, hope arrived in the form of a white Labrador retriever named Barley.
But before Barley was a character in a book, she was, and still is, my real-life service dog.
Living with celiac disease and other hidden disabilities can be an isolating journey.
There are seasons in my life where the world felt very small. Holidays can be the most isolating at a time that is typically thought of as a gathering of family and friends.
Seasons where my physical limitations dictated my every move.
It’s a reality many people live with, yet it isn’t always visible to those around us.
Then came Barley.
Barley is a gluten-detection service dog.
Her job is to keep me safe by alerting me to the presence of gluten before I ever take a bite.
But she will do so much more than that.
She provides a sense of security and a bridge back into the world.
She will be my partner in crime and my constant companion.
Through her, I will find a new kind of freedom I thought was gone forever.
As I navigated life with a service dog, I noticed something.
Children are naturally curious.
They see the cape.
They see the dog working.
And they have questions.
I wanted to answer those questions in a way that was accessible, encouraging, and filled with hope.
That’s how Barley’s Dream was born.
I wanted to create a story where children could see beyond the disability to the person, and the pup, underneath.
I wanted to show that even when life looks different than we imagined, there is still adventure to be found.
Writing for children is a special kind of magic.
It allows us to plant seeds of compassion and understanding before the world tells them to look away.
Perfect for ages 4–10 | Great for classrooms, families, and dog lovers!
Barley’s Dream was the first book in the Access Unleashed Tails series.
Each story in this series is designed to help families, educators, and children understand hidden disabilities.
Through Barley’s eyes, we explore themes of courage, compassion, and the unique partnership between a handler and their service dog.
Whether it’s Barley’s Dream or Sugar’s Sweet Alert, these books are about more than just dogs.
They are about the truth that everyone has a purpose, and everyone deserves to be seen.
I often say that these stories have a “long story short” pacing.
We get right to the heart of the matter because children understand the language of the heart better than anyone.
The Access Unleashed Tails series continues to grow with every new adventure. Future books will feature a refreshed illustration style while keeping the same heart, hope, and mission readers have come to love.
One of the greatest lessons Barley has taught me is that grace is found in the everyday moments.
Sometimes grace looks like a successful trip to a restaurant.
Sometimes mystery looks like wondering how she can smell something I can’t even see.
And hope?
Hope looks like a dog who never gives up on her mission.
I’ve had to learn to be vulnerable.
I’ve had to admit that I need help.
That wasn’t easy for me.
I can be stubborn.
I like to think I can do it all on my own.
But God often uses the smallest things, like a white puppy with a big heart, to remind us that we were never meant to walk alone.
When I look at Barley, I don’t just see a service dog.
I see a partner who has changed the way I see the world.
My hope is that through these stories, a new generation will grow up with a deeper understanding of what it means to walk through the world with a hidden disability.
I hope they see the hero in themselves and in others.
Because at the end of the day, we all need a little more grace, a little more mystery, and a lot more hope.
The world can be a loud and confusing place.
But stories have a way of quieting the noise.
They remind us of what matters.
They remind us that we are seen.
If you’re looking for a way to talk to the children in your life about service dogs or hidden disabilities, I invite you to explore the Access Unleashed Tails series.
Let’s start a conversation that builds bridges instead of walls.
Continue reading more about the Grace Series or learn more About Me and my journey with Barley.
Thank you for being part of this story.
Until our next story,
Anna
Sharing Stories of Grace, Mystery, and Hope
