As nearly anyone who has adopted a dog or cat from a shelter can attest, there’s something special about a rescued pet; it’s as if the animal senses he’s been given a second chance at life. That’s certainly the case with Juno, a Belgian Malinois who was rescued from a shelter just days before she was to be euthanized. But since coming to live with her family in Alcoa, Tenn., Juno has taken on the role of rescuer to four-year-old Lucas Hembree.

Lucas suffers from Sanfilippo syndrome, an inherited, metabolic disease caused by the absence or malfunctioning of an enzyme needed to break down long sugar molecules. As the disease progresses, children lose the ability to speak, walk and eat. The disease also causes severe neurological damage that leads to aggressive behavior, hyperactivity and seizures.

“The most catastrophic thing parents hear when they learn their child has this disease is that there’s no cure or treatment available,” says Lucas’ father, Chester.

Unless that changes, Lucas isn’t expected to live past the age of 15 and may be in a vegetative state by the time he is eight. Realizing that every moment is extra precious, Chester and his wife, Jennifer, want their son to experience as much as he can while he still has the capacity to enjoy it.

So when the disease started to take a toll on Lucas’ joints, Chester looked into getting a service dog to keep Lucas steady when he walked. “I was told that a service dog would cost at least $15,000, and that Lucas wasn’t a good candidate because of his deteriorating abilities and his behavior,” Chester says. “I refused to accept this answer.”

A combination of prayer and persistence led Chester to Juno. “I came across a posting about her on a rescue group’s website,” he says. “I had the feeling in my gut that I had to go see this dog.”

The whole family made the two-hour trip to meet Juno, who was being held at an east Tennessee shelter. “She was emaciated, and was days away from being euthanized,” Chester says. “She had been surrendered to the shelter because her previous owners didn’t understand the Belgian Malinois.”

Fortunately, Chester did. He’d gotten to know and love the breed while working as a law enforcement officer years earlier.

“I used to help with the training of police K-9s, and our dogs were Belgian Malinoises,” he says. “I loved their desire to work and their ‘never quit’ attitude.” In addition to being a popular choice for police dogs, the breed is often used in combat. In fact, it’s believed that the dog that helped Navy SEALs take down Osama bin Laden was a Belgian Malinois.

But while the breed has proven its prowess on patrol and in combat, Chester needed to be sure Juno would be a suitable service dog for his little boy.

“I put her on a loose leash and she walked with me and never pulled,” Chester says. “Next came the Lucas test. They took to each other immediately, like kindred spirits.”

The Hembrees brought Juno home and showered her with love and affection.

“I wanted to make sure she had plenty of time to adjust to the family before I started the formal training,” Chester says. Yet, from the beginning there seemed to be something instinctive about their relationship. One day, Chester noticed Juno circling Lucas while he was in his wheelchair. “She was whining and nudging him with her nose,” Chester says. “I checked his oxygen levels and they were very low.” After giving him oxygen, Lucas returned to normal and Juno greeted him with licks and affection.

“That’s when I knew she had the ability to pick up on his neurological changes,” Chester says. “Now she alerts us when Lucas is about to have a seizure or if his oxygen levels drop really low. She has saved him several times.”

Juno has become a literal shoulder for Lucas to lean on when walking, and a calming influence when he’s agitated. And while Chester makes sure that Juno gets time off, he says that it’s hard to get Juno to leave Lucas’ side. “You don’t see one without the other close by,” he says. “It really feels like it was meant to be.”

Lucy, a therapy dog from South Jersey, is quite the handful.

Actually, she’s about half a handful.

And as of Saturday, the 3-year-old mini Yorkshire terrier is the newly crowned “world’s smallest working dog” by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Just 6 inches long, 5.7 inches high and 2.5 fluffy pounds, Lucy was unfazed by the huge honor and heightened attention, says owner Sally Leone Montufar.

“She gets a lot of attention already,” Montufar said. “She stops traffic.”

Lucy snatched the title away from a 6.6-pound dog in Japan.

“I didn’t want Lucy to unseat him because he’s employed by the Japanese police as a search-and-rescue dog,” she says. “But she’s a different kind of working dog.”

Homeless and out of work two years ago, Lucy now works as a therapy dog through the Cherry Hill, N.J., program Leashes of Love, visiting hospitals, nursing homes and special schools often in dog dresses and bonnets.

Montufar contacted Guinness in November and learned of the diminutive dog’s admittance in December.

“I said I bet she’s not the tiniest, but I’m sure she’s the tiniest therapy dog,” recalls Montufar, who also owns a Cockapoo.

And not every dog is cut out for employment, or certification as a therapy dog.

“She had to be trained to sit for long periods, lay for long periods, not be flustered when there’s wheelchairs and walkers all around,” she says, “And she has to be able to walk for me and be nonaggressive.”

But it’s not all work for Lucy. According to Lucy’s Facebook fan page, her many interests include “food, chasing cats who are 10X her size, cuddling by the fire, twirling for treats.”

But Lucy’s life could have been far from fancy had her trip to the pound not been sidetracked by a stop into Paw Dazzle.

A woman entered the pet boutique with several dogs hoping someone would claim them before the shelter did.

But Montufar was more focused on the woman’s Juicy Couture dog carrier, specifically the nose poking out of it.

“(The designer tote bag) was very beautiful,” she says, “and out came this peanut.”

“This peanut” was a freakishly small, skinny pup by the name of Lucy. Along with medical help, Montufar knew to give Lucy a home, and then a job.

“She was so pitiful and lethargic,” Montufar said. “I couldn’t leave her. I didn’t know if I could save her or not. And kind of as a mother would, I said I’m going to help this one. I’m not going to turn my back. The others looked pretty healthy, she didn’t.”

Shelanon Brooks says her dog, “Malibu,” was prescribed by her doctor for emotional support. But on Monday the distraught young woman experienced major stress when her dog was lost by Six Flags officials.

A Six Flags Magic Mountain spokesperson insists they were actually rescuing Brooks’ pet from a sweltering car. They placed the 1-year-old Pomeranian in the park’s dog kennel where it escaped while an employee was filling the pooch’s water bowl.

“I really love my dog and I wouldn’t let anything happen to her,” Brooks sobbed. “I thought she was OK, I thought she was OK. And I keep thinking what I could have did different.”

Brooks was going to take Malibu into the park with her, but the bag she used to carry the dog had ripped. She said she decided to leave him in the car with the windows rolled down, a dish with food, and a bowl filled with water.

When park security discovered the dog inside the car however, they noticed that it was visibly “distressed.” The temperature that day was in the 80s.

“Our security personnel and the sheriff saw the dog, which they thought was dead,” according to Six Flags spokesperson Sue Carpenter.

“[They] broke into the car to get the dog out. We brought it over here to the dog kennel, revived it, gave it some water and cooled it down,” Carpenter said.

While the dog’s water was being replenished, the kennel door was left open and Malibu ran out the front door and into the parking lot.

Six Flags officials say it’s standard policy to rescue dogs from cars. They also say they aren’t responsible for the pet while it’s in their care.

“We do in-park announcements and we leave messages on your windshield to let you know where your animal is, and that no animal should be left in the car — that’s the law,” Carpenter said.

Happily this story does have a happy ending as Brooks was reunited with Malibu on Tuesday after the people who found the dog saw the story on TV.

Brooks said she didn’t believe she was putting Malibu in danger.

Attacks on guide dogs by other dogs have more than doubled, according to a new report published by the UK‘s Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

The report stated that more than seven attacks on guide dogs by other canines have occurred during each month of 2011.

The figure is more than doubled from last year when a previous study, published in June 2010, showed an average of three attacks per month.

Association officials have urged police to take these attacks more seriously and called for the compulsory microchipping of all dogs in England and Wales.

In more than nine out of ten cases, the attacks occurred in public places such as parks, town centers and shopping areas.

The association’s chief executive Richard Leaman, has written to all chief constables asking them to help safeguard guide dog owners against attacks, but it said too many owners are still worried police take no action after an attack.

In his letter Leaman said: “We recognize that police forces are under pressure but these attacks are anti-social and have a devastating effect on vulnerable people.”

“We want police to recognize the enormous impact that these attacks have on people’s ability to live independently and respond accordingly.”

The association said one owner who was a victim of an attack wanted to move afterwards while others said they were left too frightened to go out.

Other victims said they were left upset, angry or shaken.

Story by Elaine Furst for Dog Files

Evan Moss’ seizures come quietly in the night. When they strike, the 7-year-old’s parents have to give him medicine to make them stop, or risk brain damage. But to do that, they have to know they are happening. Lisa and Rob Moss live in fear of missing one.

The seizures are so silent that even if Rob and Lisa sleep in the next room with a baby monitor to listen, they can’t hear them, so Evan sleeps with them in their bed. “We go through life pretty much not well-rested and with a strong addiction to caffeine,” says Lisa Moss.

But a service dog specially trained to detect seizures and alert Evan’s parents could help insure that Rob and Lisa don’t miss a seizure and also make it possible for Evan to sleep in his own bed.  The catch? A dog like that costs about $13,000.

To raise the money for the dog, the family discussed the usual options: a 5K run, a dinner with a band, a lemonade stand.

As almost an afterthought, they came up with the idea of self-publishing a short book Evan had written as part of his application for the dog. Initially, they modestly hoped maybe they could sell 150 at $10 apiece. But Evan has now sold 10 times that many copies of the 26-page “My Seizure Dog”. A July 24 book-signing alone drew an estimated 650 people to a local coffee shop, and at one point Evan’s book ranked 125th in sales among all the millions of books on Amazon.

And as it turns out, none of the profits from book sales needed to go towards the cost of Evan’s dog, because donations alone have topped $26,000 — more than twice what the Alexandria, Virginia boy needed for his dog. The additional thousands of dollars, plus proceeds from the book, will now make up the difference between what four other children’s families have raised and the cost of their service dogs.

Evan’s dog, which will be trained by the nonprofit 4 Paws for Ability on how to pick up a scent-related chemical change in Evan’s body that precedes a seizure, will be ready for the family to pick up next June. The dog will be either a poodle or a poodle mix, Lisa Moss says, because poodles are less likely to aggravate her dog allergy.

Since Evan’s dog hasn’t yet been selected by 4 Paws, the Mosses don’t know how it will alert them to an impending seizure. Some dogs bark, others nudge parents, says Karen Shirk, the nonprofit’s founder

Still, Lisa Moss says, “that’s a really big task to put on an animal. At the beginning, we’re basically going to have a boy and a dog in our bed. At some point, Evan will be back in his own bed with a dog.”

As for Evan, he’s already making plans to write “My Seizure Dog 2” after he gets his new companion.

Story by Elaine Furst for Dog Files

Film star Ewan McGregor and actress and animal rights campaigner Betty White will join Whoopi Goldberg and other all-star panelists to judge a new heroic dog award show which will air on the Hallmark Channel.

The American Humane Association is bringing the celebrities on board for its inaugural “Hero Dog Awards,” a TV contest which will recognize “the thousands of specially trained dogs giving comfort to people every day.”

The winning dogs will also get to attend their own red carpet awards gala in Beverly Hills.

Canine movie star Rin Tin Tin, a dog rescued from the frontlines of World War I in France who later became an American icon and movie idol, will be given a special legacy award, presented to one of his doggie descendants.

Dogs will compete in eight categories: law enforcement and arson dogs; service dogs; therapy dogs; military dogs; guide dogs; search and rescue dogs; hearing dogs, and emerging hero dogs, for “ordinary pets who do extraordinary things.”

White, 89, of “The Golden Girls” TV fame, also works for several animal organizations, including the Los Angeles Zoo.

Other celebrity judges will include personal trainer Jillian Michaels and “Glee” cast member and dog lover Kristin Chenoweth.

The 90-minute show will be broadcast on the Hallmark Channel on November 11.

Story by Elaine Furst for Dog Files

An arrest warrant has been issued for the manager of a Marietta Georgia McDonald’s after she punched a mother of two autistic boys in the face. The reason?…the boys’ service dog.

The manager, Tiffany Denise Allen, told the woman that the twin boys’ service dog, Barkley, wasn’t allowed inside. The law however, states that service dogs are allowed inside.

The boys’ mother, Jennifer Schwenker, said the incident took place on July 12 when she took the boys to the McDonald’s to have lunch.

A surveillance tape shows one of the twins and Barkley enjoying the restaurant’s play area. The family was about to leave when Allen told them there were no dogs allowed.

Schwenker explained to Allen that Barkley is a service dog, allowed by federal law in all public places including restaurants. Schwenker offered to provide proof of the permit for the dog. Apparently however, that wasn’t enough for Allen as the tape then shows her following the family around the McDonald’s, even down the hall to the restroom.

But when Schwenker tried to leave, she lost track of one of the boys. In a panic, she threw her drink on the floor and it splashed on Allen. The tape then shows Allen running after Schwenker in a rage.

After viewing the tape, Marietta Georgia police Detective Gwen Lewis stated that she’s never seen anything like it.

Schwenker’s husband said they are talking to a lawyer.

Allen is charged with battery assault and disorderly conduct.

JM and Jan Owens, who run the store where the incident occurred, released a statement:

“At our McDonald’s restaurant, we respect and value our customers. Their safety and well-being is always a top priority.

“We strive to comply with all applicable laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is our policy to make our restaurants accessible to all customers, including those with disabilities and special needs, whether or not they need the assistance of service animals.

“We are fully cooperating with the police department in their investigation, and the individual involved is no longer employed by our company. ”

Story by Elaine Furst for Dog Files

Roselle and Michael Hingson first met on November 22, 1999 at Guide Dogs for the Blind. Although blind from birth, Hingson earned a Master’s Degree in Physics from the University of California, Irvine and has always competed successfully in a sighted world. Roselle was Hingson’s fifth guide dog and according to him “It was obvious from our very first walk together that we were a perfect match.”

The teamwork that Hingson and Roselle developed would soon however, come to the ultimate test.

On September 11, 2001 Hingson and Roselle were in their office on the 78th floor of Tower One of the World Trade Center in New York City when it was struck by American Airlines flight 11, hijacked and under terrorist control. Working as a team, Roselle led Hingson, along with the others on their floor, down the darkened stairwell to safety moments before the building collapsed.

“I would not be alive today if it weren’t for Roselle,” Hingson states with gratitude.

“Roselle did an incredible job and is a true hero. She remained poised and calm through the entire day, giving kisses and love wherever she could, while working valiantly when she needed to do so,” Hingson says.

In the aftermath of 9/11, in January 2002, Roselle began accompanying Hingson, who left a long career in high tech computer sales to serve as the National Public Affairs Director for Guide Dogs for the Blind, based in San Rafael, California.

On Friday, June 24, 2011 though, Roselle was taken to her vet, who suspected that somehow she had developed a stomach ulcer. As her condition continued to deteriorate, Hingson and Roselle’s doctor came to the painful conclusion that the best thing they could do to help Roselle was to end her suffering.

On Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 8:52 pm, Roselle passed away at 13 years of age.

Hingson, although deeply saddened by her passing, is grateful for his time with her: “Roselle worked with me through the most trying time in our nation’s history, and she was right there unflinching for all of it.”

Hingson has written a soon-to-be released book about his special relationship with Roselle, entitled “Thunder Dog,” Roselle has also inspired the formation of “Roselle’s Dream Foundation,” which serves to educate people about blindness, and to assist blind children and later blind adults to obtain new technologies to empower them to learn, work and engage in life more fully.

Donations can be made in Roselle’s memory at: www.rosellefoundation.org.

Story by Elaine Furst for Dog Files

A dog was sitting in the jury box (not a voting member), and might have prompted the defendant to plead guilty in this animal-cruelty trial.

Janet Lynne Hollins, 53, of Dale City, Virginia was convicted in October of inadequate care of animals — reduced from animal cruelty — after police seized 27 dogs and 50 cats from her small townhouse.

Hollins appealed that conviction, and her new trial on animal cruelty charges began Monday.

During jury selection, a woman with a service dog was picked to serve on the jury. As testimony got under way, Hollins “suddenly” pleaded guilty to 40 counts of animal cruelty.

Hollins then received probation and agreed to leave the county.

According to court documents, a witness contacted police on Aug. 4, 2010 and said that Hollins had over 70 animals in her townhouse and “their living conditions were unsanitary.”

When authorities searched the home they found more than 18 dogs running around the house, nine dogs in cages in the basement and 50 cats running throughout the house, according to the search warrant affidavit.

At the earlier trial, defense attorneys argued that Hollins, who operated an animal rescue group, Janet’s Rescues and Placements, took good care of the animals.

Story by Elaine Furst for Dog Files

Colorado prisoners have trained hundreds of dogs rescued from shelters as part of a work program that began in 2002. But Clyde, a chocolate Labrador, is one of the first dogs trained to meet the needs of a child with autism such as nine year old Zack Tucker.

The credit for this particular achievement goes to convicted killer Christopher Vogt, whose dedication to animals and whose skill with people have earned him such trust in prison that he is allowed to interact directly with Zack as the two work together with Clyde.

Since Zack easily gets confused and then breaks down in tears of frustration, Vogt, in training Clyde, would regularly put his hands to his face and cry just as he was told Zack does. He has taught Clyde that when Zack does it, Clyde is to interrupt him by nudging him in the face with his nose.

Vogt, who is incarcerated at Colorado’s Sterling Correctional Facility, has also trained Clyde to gently nudge Zack’s cheek when the boy suddenly stares blankly while reading a book. Vogt said such a maneuver will keep Zack focused.

Vogt said his girlfriend, an elementary school teacher, first got him interested in helping kids with autism. She sent him magazine articles about how dogs have helped them.

Vogt, eligible for parole in 2018, is now a certified master dog trainer. He has taught scores of inmates how to train dogs and has written two picture books for kids, including “Your Four-Footed Friend.”

“If he weren’t wearing the colors, you’d never know he was a prisoner,” said Department of Corrections staff supervisor Darlene McInnes.

She said not every dog can help a child with autism. Clyde, who is 18 months old, and his mother, Bonnie, were rescued from a shelter.

“Clyde is the full package,” McInnes said. “He’s very intelligent. He has the perfect temperament and he’s willing to please.”

Zack’s parents, Arthur and Susy Tucker, hope Clyde will help their gifted boy cope with his Asperger syndrome, a form of autism, so he can go to college and achieve his potential.

Story by Elaine Furst for Dog Files