Monday, 15 August 2016

Book ~ "Service Tails: More Stories of Man's Best Hero" (2016) Ace Collins

From Goodreads ~ Not all heroic dogs wildly toss themselves into lifesaving situations. Some save lives simply by their incredible commitment to duty and service. Some lead the way to independence for people whose disabilities were supposed to limit their lives. 

In "Service Tails: More Stories of Man's Best Hero", author Ace Collins introduces us to leaders whose entire lives are wrapped in the banner of service. Their stories are remarkable snapshots of the value of vision and teamwork, as well as devotion to duty and unconditional love and acceptance-stretching the way we see both canine and human potential. Their training was intense, their loyalty unquestioned and each step of the way they constantly adapt to better serve those they lead. These unforgettable dogs are more than heroes; they are models from which we can learn how to love and serve unconditionally.

I love reading stories about dogs!

This book showcases 12 true stories of service dogs.  There were a variety of stories of dogs who served people who were blind, had Alzheimer's, were deaf, had vertigo, cerebral palsy, etc.

The first story is about Morris Frank, who went blind and was the first person to be partnered with a seeing eye dog (in the late 1920s) and the co-founder of The Seeing Eye, a guide-dog school.  Other stories include:
  • Cristina, who struggled with asthma and Tatiana (2012 American Humane Association "Hearing Hero Dog of the Year"), her dog who saved her life
  • Tim, a quadriplegic since a diving accident at age 16 who gained his independence because of a dog named Yaz
  • George, a teacher who eventually went blind and became a pioneer in digital talking books and his dog Nesbit
  • Jared, who was born with cerebral palsy and how his dog, John III, opened up a new world for him

This is the second book I've read by this author and I enjoyed it. I liked the writing style. He did a great job telling stories about the dogs and the humans they served.

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