Washington Dog Phones 911 for Fallen Owner

[AmyStrange]

Washington Dog Phones 911 for Fallen Owner

FROM: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041029/ap_on_fe_st/canine_caller
RICHLAND, Wash. - Faith the service dog phoned 911 when her owner fell out of her wheelchair and barked urgently into the receiver until a dispatcher sent help. Then the 4-year-old Rottweiler unlocked the front door so the responding police officer could come in.

"I sensed there was a problem on the other end of the 911 call," said dispatcher Jenny Buchanan, who answered the call from Faith.

"The dog was too persistent in barking directly into the phone receiver," Buchanan said at Benton County's Southeast Communications Center. "I knew she was trying to tell me something."

Faith is trained to summon help by pushing a speed-dial button on the phone with her nose after taking the receiver off the hook, said her owner Leana Beasley, 45, who suffers grand mal seizures.

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On the Internet:

Assistance Dog Club of Puget Sound, Gig Harbor-based nonprofit (253-853-1984) made up of people with service dogs:
http://www.dogsaver.org/adc/

International Association of Assistance Dog Partners:
http://www.iaadp.org

[Nashyra]

1. I love Rotties

We have 2, had 3 but my beloved Brie was poisoned last month.

[intheflow]

2. Rottweilers get a bad rep

as do pit bulls. But this story reminds us that it's probably the owners who are responsible for the incidents when these breeds attack. At heart, I believe all dogs are good.

[fortyfeetunder]

3. Now that's what you call a best friend!

Though I was kind of surprised at the dispatcher's reaction to the barking. I hope dispatchers are getting training on service dog response calls.