Post by Paul on Dec 27, 2004 15:22:27 GMT 9.5
Hero Dog Pulls Paralyzed Man Out of Mud Pit
LONDON (UK) — Here's a story about a dog who really lived up to his name. "Hero", the four-year-old Golden Retriever, has been credited with saving the life of a wheelchair-bound man who got stuck in a muddy field and was unable to move.
Gareth Jones, 36, of Caldicot became caught in the mud of an isolated field, far away from any human assistance. Having been confined to a wheelchair after a car accident in 1995, the quadraplegic (tetraplegic) former soldier has learned to rely on his trusted service dog and best friend with whom he shares an extraordinary bond.
"When I got stuck in the mud, he realized I was in trouble and started pulling on the rope I threw to him," explains Mr. Jones.
Assistance dogs like the one shown above (trained by Canine Companions for Independence), can open doors and flip light switches on command. There is even a special command "jump" that tells the dog to to jump on top of something, i.e. a grooming table or some elevated surface. Scoop Senior Editor "Wags" (below) performs that task quite well even without being told.
"He didn't let go until I was clear—he knew exactly what he was doing."
The specially-trained dog can perform over 100 functions to assist the man, ranging from the mundane to the essential. Whether or not he has "towing service" on his checklist of functions, Hero certainly earned his keep that day.
Said Mr. Jones: "I was very, very proud of Hero and I must admit I got quite emotional."
Today The Western Mail reports that Hero was honored at the All-Star Animal Awards in London and given a decoration in outstanding achievement for his life-saving efforts. The award was presented by Ann Widdecombe, Member of Parliament for Maidstone and the Weald, to whom Hero (like any proper, polite pooch) humbly offered his paw in salutation.
www.dogsinthenews.com/issues/0203/articles/020312a.htm
LONDON (UK) — Here's a story about a dog who really lived up to his name. "Hero", the four-year-old Golden Retriever, has been credited with saving the life of a wheelchair-bound man who got stuck in a muddy field and was unable to move.
Gareth Jones, 36, of Caldicot became caught in the mud of an isolated field, far away from any human assistance. Having been confined to a wheelchair after a car accident in 1995, the quadraplegic (tetraplegic) former soldier has learned to rely on his trusted service dog and best friend with whom he shares an extraordinary bond.
"When I got stuck in the mud, he realized I was in trouble and started pulling on the rope I threw to him," explains Mr. Jones.
Assistance dogs like the one shown above (trained by Canine Companions for Independence), can open doors and flip light switches on command. There is even a special command "jump" that tells the dog to to jump on top of something, i.e. a grooming table or some elevated surface. Scoop Senior Editor "Wags" (below) performs that task quite well even without being told.
"He didn't let go until I was clear—he knew exactly what he was doing."
The specially-trained dog can perform over 100 functions to assist the man, ranging from the mundane to the essential. Whether or not he has "towing service" on his checklist of functions, Hero certainly earned his keep that day.
Said Mr. Jones: "I was very, very proud of Hero and I must admit I got quite emotional."
Today The Western Mail reports that Hero was honored at the All-Star Animal Awards in London and given a decoration in outstanding achievement for his life-saving efforts. The award was presented by Ann Widdecombe, Member of Parliament for Maidstone and the Weald, to whom Hero (like any proper, polite pooch) humbly offered his paw in salutation.
www.dogsinthenews.com/issues/0203/articles/020312a.htm
