Dogs
Lifesaving service dog gets her own spot in school yearbook
Lifesaving service dog gets her very own spot in school yearbook
Alissa Gaskell
06.01.20

Dogs truly are amazing companions. They’re incredibly smart, fiercely loyal, and offer love and friendship like no other. Regardless of breed, dogs are among the top picks for both pet ownership and work: service, therapy, herding, search and rescue, hunting, detection, name it.

That’s because aside from their loyalty and sociable nature, dogs are tough and trainable.

Just like Ariel the Labradoodle.

Facebook/Heather DeVore Lange
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Facebook/Heather DeVore Lange

Heather DeVore Lange, mom of 7-year-old Hadley Jo shares,

“Ariel is Hadley Jo’s seizure alert service dog. Ariel saves my daughter’s life by alerting us before a seizure happens, allowing us to administer rescue medication in less than two minutes. My goal is to provide my daughter an independent life as much as possible and Ariel helps to make that happen.”

YouTube Screenshot
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YouTube Screenshot

Hadley Jo was only 17 months old when she had her first seizure. It happened when she was in her mom’s lap and since that scare, her parents decided to brainstorm until they reached a decision – something that would help them anticipate and prevent seizures.

Facebook/Heather DeVore Lange
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Facebook/Heather DeVore Lange

So when the little girl turned 2, her mom and dad decided the best thing to do was to get a dog trained in detecting seizures. In an interview with WHAS11, Heather describes just how vital Ariel’s role is in all their lives.

“She truly saves my daughter’s life, and I don’t think I could ever thank her enough for that.”

Facebook/Heather DeVore Lange
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Facebook/Heather DeVore Lange

As a service dog, Ariel’s job includes going everywhere with her BFF Hadley Jo. That means the Labradoodle also attends school at St. Patrick Catholic School in Louisville, Kentucky.

Ariel plays such an important role that the happy, reliable pup has actually become an honorary student!

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YouTube Screenshot

As if that isn’t adorable enough, Ariel earned something more.

Carrying out her responsibilities consistently and cheerfully prompted the school staff to grant her a space in the yearbook.

That must have been quite the surprise for the Langes! After all, you wouldn’t expect to see a photo of the service dog beside your daughter’s.

Facebook/Heather DeVore Lange
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Facebook/Heather DeVore Lange

It was a gesture that definitely did not go unappreciated.

Thanks to her, Hadley Jo can safely enjoy life.

Facebook/Hether DeVore Lange
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Facebook/Hether DeVore Lange

Moreover, people are given a clearer idea of how to better deal with conditions similar to Hadley Jo’s, and how valuable a dog’s service, friendship, and loyalty really is.

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YouTube Screenshot

Watch the video below for a glimpse of just how much Ariel does for her best friend.

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