Sarah Ford | April 2, 2015
Puppy Love
Canine Partners for Life is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The Cochranville-based organization has trained and placed more than 600 dogs in homes all across the country, allowing people with a wide variety of disabilities to lead fuller, more active lives.
The Chester County Press will soon be publishing a story about the 25th anniversary of Canine Partners for Life, and while preparing that story we met people like Sarah and Mike.
Sarah, a sophomore at the University of Delaware, welcomed Rosebud into her family after she was diagnosed with epilepsy. The small dog is more than just a friendly companion; she alerts Sarah when she is about to suffer an epileptic seizure, crawling onto her lap and refusing to leave until the danger has passed. This helps keep Sarah safe and active.
Mike has been wheelchair-bound since 1988, after he was injured in a fall. He has received two dogs from Canine Partners for Life over the years. Annabelle is his constant companion, and helps him in numerous ways. She can help him pick up items that he can’t reach. She can notify other family members when he needs help.
The dogs that are trained at Canine Partners for Life can help people with a wide range of physical, neurological, and cognitive disabilities, including muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, cerebral palsy, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, spinal cord injuries, strokes, seizure disorders, arthritis, spina bifida, Parkinson’s Disease and more.
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