Dog helps, comforts disabled man

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20091226/NEWS01/712269920

Published Saturday December 26, 2009

BEATRICE, Neb. (AP) — On Sunday mornings at First Christian Church, Tim Marsh and his companion, Marjie, sit in their usual spot in the back of the room.

Marsh rarely misses a Sunday School session. Marjie lies down beside him, disciplined and calm, waiting for her services to be needed again.

Marjie, a 2-year-old yellow lab, is Marsh’s service dog.

Marsh was diagnosed in 1988 with multiple sclerosis, a nervous system disease that affects the brain and spinal cord.

He was working at a clothing store one day and lost all feeling on one side of his body.

“Thank goodness I was next to a clothing rack that I fell against,” Marsh said.

After his diagnosis, he slowly began losing his ability to walk. His legs can move, but they won’t hold him up.

Now he needs a wheelchair to get around.

FULL story at link.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Amazingly wonderful..and not at all surprising.

http://www.canineassistants.org/
Training Great Dogs to Help Special People
Canine Assistants® is a non-profit organization, founded in 1991, which trains and provides service dogs for children and adults with physical disabilities or other special needs. In addition to physically assisting those with disabilities, Canine Assistants service dogs are instrumental in removing many of the barriers faced by the disabled in today's society. One recipient made the value of this skill quite clear when asked by a reporter what she liked most about her service dog. Immediately, she responded, "My dog makes my wheelchair disappear."

http://www.disaboom.com/disabled-veterans-general/service-pets-for-vets-service-dogs-help-disabled-veterans-heal
Operation Freedom, a partnership between the Veterans Administration and Freedom Service Dogs, Inc., pairs specially trained service dogs with returning military personnel and disabled veterans to assist with the lifelong transition from active duty and combat to civilian life.

http://www.guidedog.org/Vetdogs/AboutVetD/whatis.htm
What is VetDogs?

Helping those who have served our country honorably to live with dignity and independence whether they are visually impaired or have other special needs, by using guide dogs, service dogs, and innovative technologies

http://www.cci.org/site/c.cdKGIRNqEmG/b.3978475/k.BED8/Home.htm
Life. Unleashed.
The most advanced technology capable of transforming the lives of people with disabilities has a cold nose and a warm heart.
Canine Companions for Independence® provides highly-trained assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities, free of charge.

http://www.keystonehumanservices.org/ssd/dogs.php?gclid=CKya9rip9Z4CFRh15QodME8igw
Keystone provides comprehensive, community-based services to children, young people, adults and families in the areas of autism, developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities (mental retardation), mental health, early intervention and family services.

http://autismservicedogsofamerica.com/

http://www.dogsforthedeaf.org/?gclid=COmH0u-p9Z4CFZZ75QodhA2e4w

Not to mention seizure alert dogs, heart-attack alert dogs, diabetic shock alert dogs....and the list goes on and on....

[Way2go]

2. Dogs are one of God's most precious gifts to mankind. nt

[DarthDem]

3. Thank You

What a touching story. Service dogs are so fantastic.

[spooky3]

4. Animals are so good to us; we don't deserve them.

Thanks for posting this wonderful story.

[katkat]

5. you got that right

humans: God's big mistake.

[DarthDem]

6. Yeah

I like to think we deserve our kitties. :) But as for the race as a whole, you're right.