Megan Hudock, WBOY
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Hearts of Gold provides service dogs for individuals with mobility impairments and PTSD.
The program has been making a difference in the lives of many.
“I’ve always recognized the positive impact that animals have on people’s lives,” says Jean Meade, founder of the Hearts of Gold program at West Virginia University.
The Hearts of Gold Program started six years ago at West Virginia University, where students take courses in service dog training.
“Service dog training allows our students to engage in a civic activity and appreciate what service dogs can do in the lives of people, We hope students continue to support this activity as they move into and throughout their career,” said Meade.
Savannah Connelly has been a volunteer for Hearts of Gold for six years, and she has fostered 15 dogs.
“It’s really tough to give them up after spending so much time training and bonding. But it’s worth it when you can get that text message at 2 am that says I wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for this dog,” said Connelly.
After having hip surgery because of an autoimmune disorder, Miles Cox was placed with Pandora. She was trained through the Hearts of Gold Program.
“She helps me pick up my clothes in the morning. Pandora gets me water bottles when I need to take my medicine. She’ll pick up my medicine from the ground,” said Cox.
If you see a service dog in public that has a vest on, do not to pet or distract the dog.
“If you see a dog in a vest, it’s working. Even though it doesn’t look like it, it could be an alert dog, where if their person is going to have a seizure they have to catch that instinct cue, and if they don’t, people can actually get really hurt,” said Connelly.
“Just having a dog improves everything about your quality of life. When I’m home by myself she just hangs out with me and it’s like having a friend,” said Cox.