Posted on 04/26/2009 12:40:48 AM PDT by Chet 99
Sunday, April 26, 2009 , 12:00 a.m.
Rossville toddler gets help from South Pittsburg service dog
By: Ben Benton
Jada Romans and her new service dog, Murray, are fast friends just a week into their relationship.
Jada, a Rossville 2-year-old who has little movement in her arms or legs, was united with Murray thanks to the PALS with Pawz service dog organization, said her parents, Brittany and Dustin Romans.
“When I got the call last Thursday that we were going to get Murray, it was kind of a light at the end of a tunnel because I thought we’d never be able to afford a service dog,” Mrs. Romans said.
Her research turned up prices ranging from $13,000 to $25,000, she said.
Donations covered the $3,000 price tag for Murray, a golden retriever mix, officials at PALS with Pawz said. A formerly abused pet rescued by Humane Educational Society in Chattanooga, he still bears a 3-inch-long scar on his back from his previous life.
Jada has arthrogryposis, a rare disorder that limits joint mobility, according to a definition on the WebMD Internet site. Symptoms vary widely.
In Jada’s case, her arms and legs have little muscle. She moves quite effectively by scooting on her behind, her parents said. She uses the muscles in her body to swing her arms up to pet Murray and hook her hands around objects.
“He’s so gentle with her,” Mrs. Romans said, looking fondly at Murray, who nibbled treats Jada tossed with a squeal and swing of her arm at a community building at South Pittsburg, Tenn.’s Moore Park.
PALS with Pawz trains rescued and donated dogs for companions to children and adults who have issues with autism, mobility, therapy and neurological disorders, officials said.
Christine Gutterman, founder and executive director of PALS with Pawz, said donations for Murray’s purchase came mostly from Catoosa County.
PALS targets younger children to fill a gap, Mrs. Gutterman said , because many service dog organizations only help older children and adults. Donations keep costs in check.
The first few weeks between dog and child are usually spent getting acquainted, but Murray is helping already, Jada’s parents said.
A few nights back, Murray surprised Mrs. Romans when he summoned her to Jada’s room after the little girl had a bathroom mishap.
“He came out of her room to get me and he put his paw up there. I kind of felt him staring at me,” she said. “I was like, ‘What’s wrong, buddy?’ and he ... started going toward her room.”
Sure enough, Jada needed a diaper change.
On another day, Jada’s 4-year-old sister slipped on the stairs and Murray sought out Mom for help, Mrs. Romans said.
“We’ve only had him a week and he’s a good dog, he takes to Jada a lot and he takes to our other two kids, too,” she said.
“And the best thing about him is he doesn’t bark,” Mr. Romans joked.
The family said a therapist and some research helped them connect with the PALS group.
Murray and the Romans family will continue training as he takes on more responsibility and Jada starts giving commands, Mrs. Gutterman said.
“They’ll adjust Murray to different things. When she goes to school, he’ll go with her,” she said.
PALS with Pawz has 15 people on a waiting list, said Mrs. Gutterman, who has her own service dog, D’Artagnan. Mrs. Gutterman was permanently injured in a 2004 traffic accident.
Murray and Jada are in line for specially designed vests so the dog can pull the child along in a walker as part of physical therapy, Mrs. Gutterman said. The communication involved will help the two bond.
But Murray’s already part of the family, Mrs. Romans said.
“He’s got his certain spot on the couch,” she said.
“Murraaaaay,” Jada agreed.
Thanks, a happy dog story!
I love dog stories!
Doggie Ping
I think God designed Goldens so kids could love all over them and this is a perfect match.....
Good doggie!
Good dog!
So bittersweet.
(aside)
Who is spelling “PittsburgH” wrong?
Somebody who spells “Chattanooga” wrong, I guess!
Never mind. Guess there’s another town...
Blocked and copied that headline.
What an excellent story ~ Thanks for sharing that with us, Chet! :-)
It’s so incredibly amazing what kind of work Service Dogs are able to do now ~ they used to be just for blind people, but it is now being found that they can be trained to help a larger variety of people who have difficulties. Such as people who are deaf, diabetic, epileptic, have psychological problems, etc. I believe I read somewhere that soldiers with PTSD are now receiving Service Dogs, kind of like a built in best friend to assist them in their recovery.
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