Photo: Courtesy Danelle Umstead
Umstead is on the new season ofDancing with the Stars, which premieres Monday, Sept. 24, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. The athlete’s partner on the dance floor is pro Artem Chigvintsev, but she has a second set of hands (or paws)helping her behind the scenes.
“Aziza is my comfort place. She gives me the confidence to get around everywhere I need to go so that I can be a part of the show. She is there supporting me during every little detail – watching me, ready to take care of me when I need her,” Umstead tells PEOPLE.
Courtesy Danelle Umstead
Having a familiar, furry face during practice makes taking on new challenges easier for Umstead, who is keeping up with the show’s demanding dance schedule.
“For the Paralympics you have four years to prepare. ForDWTSI have two weeks to prepare for two dances, then one week to prepare for more dances. It’s very short training in comparison to learning something in full detail, understanding it, getting better at it. In sport, that’s a focus you have for four years. Here, this is a focus that’s week to week,” says the three-time bronze medalist.
For Aziza, dancing comes naturally: Umstead says the dog adores sliding across the dance floor and meeting new people.
The presence of a talented pooch is a perk the entireDTWScast is enjoying.
Umstead says Aziza “has a blanket in the corner of the dance room where she’s always watching us and everyone comes in and says hello” to the dog when she is relaxing and not in her harness.
Thanks to this supportive cast, Aziza and her own strength, Umstead feels ready to conquer the next ‘mountain’ ahead of her: the ballroom.
“I’m excited to get out there and see what I’m capable of when it comes to dancing. And seeing how being visually impaired and having Multiple Sclerosis comes together and hopefully it’s a beautiful package that America will love,” she says. “There are nerves of excitement, fear, being vulnerable.”
source: people.com
