NEW LIFE GRADUATES (9) SERVICE DOG TEAMS

On April 30, 2006 at the Manor Brethren Church, The New Life Assistance Dog Program graduated 9 service dog teams in a ceremony filled with many tears but a church full of happy, smiling faces.

One of those faces was the pretty Miss Roman whose brother A.J. and herself received their companion dog a golden retriever named Hope. Hope gets a lot of hugs and shows her devotion to the children with a motherly attitude. (see related picture)

One consumer who received a black labrador just six weeks ago said that there are many benefits in getting a service dog. I became more approachable "I became human with Gage, my service dog, not just a person in a wheelchair", I receive unconditional love and I now have someone that I am responsible for. Kristy, the young woman who raised Gage for 18 months shed many tears as she turned over the leash but said it was wonderful to see the two together. (see related picture)

That's what this was all about, allowing the puppy raiser to say a final good-bye and personally hand over the dog to the life partner of that service animal. In an emotional speech, Jill Harris, training specialist for New Life was quoted as saying "When they put that leash in your hand, they're giving you a piece of their heart." "Before they even knew you, they cared enough about you go give you a part of themselves."

The New Life dogs are raised by volunteer families for approximately 18 months. This is followed by about six months of specialized training before being placed with a person with a disability. It is very important to the program that a perfect match be made for both dog and consumer.

We would like to thank the Lancaster newspapers and WGAL for joining this special presentation and reporting it both in an article that appeared in the Intelligencer Journal on May 1, 2006 and WGAL for airing this special day.