Golden retriever ‘finds’ girl to help

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Mike Meares
  • 50th Space Wing Public Affairs
SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPN) --  Berkley has a new friend for life. The golden retriever service dog, “found” 7-year-old Jamie Rizzo when her family visited the Canine Assistants headquarters in Alpharetta, Ga.

Since birth, the daughter of 1st Lt. Victor Rizzo, of the 3rd Space Operations Squadron here, has had developmental delays. She is socially developed at about the 2-year-old level.

Jamie and her parents were united with Berkley after he was approved by the Canine Assistants staff to meet Jamie’s specific needs.

When they arrived in Georgia, the Rizzos spent two days with 20 dogs looking for a match; however, they did not realize at the time that Berkley was actually picking them.

As the family spent five minutes with each dog, a group of trainers and observers watched the reactions of the dogs to their potential new owners.

“We met Berkley and liked him, but we didn’t notice the connection that (the) trainers did,” Lieutenant Rizzo said. “When we walked away from him, he watched Jamie the entire way. That is something we didn’t pick up on.

“A bond between Jamie and Berkley was established the moment she walked up to him,” he said. “Their relationship will continue to strengthen to a point that makes them inseparable.”

Each dog is selected and matched based on size, owner’s activity level, needs and personality, Canine Assistants officials said.

The personality factor is a driving force in the selection process. For example, when Jamie becomes overwhelmed, she breaks down and cries, her father said. In the past, she carried around items, like a stuffed toy, that supplied a sense of soothing familiarity.

While training in Georgia, Jamie had a moment where she became uncomfortable and broke down, Lieutenant Rizzo said. She walked over to Berkley, who was lying down relaxing, and laid her head on his. She was looking for comfort and found it in Berkley, something she needed in a friend, he said.

“Berkley is a guide that will keep Jamie out of trouble,” Lieutenant Rizzo said. “She leads him where she wants to go, but he’s aware when danger is approaching.”

Trained to follow nearly 90 commands, most Canine Assistants service dogs are born, raised and trained at the Georgia facility. Starting at 4-weeks old, the dogs learn to perform tasks including turning lights on and off, opening and closing doors, pulling wheelchairs, retrieving dropped objects, summoning help and providing secure companionship.

Canine Assistants, a nonprofit organization founded in 1991, trains golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers to assist children and adults with physical disabilities or other special needs. These dogs are instrumental in removing many of the barriers faced by people with mental or physical disabilities in today’s society.

Berkley helps Jamie with day-to-day functions and removes the barriers in her daily life, with her social development being on the top of the list.

“Every task that comes to Jamie might take her more time to accomplish,” Lieutenant Rizzo said. “Berkley is the bridge by her side to help her overcome those obstacles. We truly appreciate what (the Defense Commissary officials), especially (those at the U.S. Air Force) Academy commissary, for giving us this marvelous gift.”

DeCA and Milk-Bone partnered to sponsor Berkley as part of a nationwide effort to sponsor Canine Assistants dogs for people in need.