Dog helps bring Valley boy independence
A 10-year-old Mesa resident will receive a Canine Assistants service dog through a partnership with Milk-Bone and PetSmart. Dayton Haywood, who was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, will be partnered with a canine companion. Because of developmental delays he must use a wheelchair; his service dog will be trained to retrieve dropped objects, turn on and off lights and open doors. Dayton hopes the dog will give him the help and independence he needs. Dogs chosen for the program are intensively trained at the Canine Assistants facility in Atlanta for a minimum 14-18 months at a cost of $10,000 per dog.
As part of the Milk-Bone Canine Heroes Program(TM), Milk-Bone(R) and PetSmart are sponsoring the Canine Assistants service dog for Haywood. He and his new best friend will go home together after they both attend an upcoming sponsored training camp.
Since 1997, Milk-Bone has helped to sponsor more than 500 police and service dogs across the country. Milk-Bone has partnered with PetSmart since 2001 to donate a total of 20 dogs to PetSmart community recipients such as Dayton Haywood.
How You Can HelpFind out more about the
Milkbone Canine Heroes Program Volunteer for the
Canine Assistants Posted by Amie McGraham, Best Friends Network
Photo used with permission from PetSmart