Tribute to the Canine Heroes of 9/11

by Stephanie Feldstein · 2010-09-11 08:18:00 UTC
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As I write this, I'm listening to a keynote speech by Patricia Callahan from Canine Companions for Independence. Every service dog that's helping someone regain their independence is a hero. But this weekend, under the shadow of September 11, 2001, there is one service dog in particular whose name has been brought up throughout the weekend. Roselle was the guide dog working with Michael Hingson, who had an office on the 78th floor of the first tower in the Twin Towers — Ground Zero. When the tower was struck on September 11th, she led Michael to safety 15 minutes before the building started to collapse.

The story of Roselle and Michael embodies everything that service dogs are all about. They're a team — Roselle's job was to get Michael to safety, but he had a job, too. Michael says he knew he had to stay calm in the chaos so his dog could focus on what needed to be done. He also needed to trust her — that when she ran, it was time to run, knowing she would stop if their path was blocked or if she was getting ready to lead him down stairs. And she did.

If you didn't already have your tissues out, here's your warning. On the way down those 78 flights of stairs, Roselle and Michael passed firefighters on their way up to rescue people. They asked if he needed assistance, but Michael already had help, others didn't. Michael says that, as the firefighters passed by, "A few of them petted Roselle, and she licked their hands. I realize that was the last unconditional love those guys experienced."

Roselle was not the only canine hero on 9/11 and in the days that followed. More than 350 dogs and their handlers went to work at Ground Zero and at the Pentagon — search and rescue dogs, K9s and therapy dogs — helping people to safety, helping people get closure, helping people survive.

Service dogs and therapy dogs continue to help those who were injured, physically and emotionally, on that day. These dogs, and our own dogs at home, never forget the compassion that was needed to get us through that day, and every other day. Neither should we.

Below is an amazing tribute video to the "Hero Dogs of 9/11," created by Kenn Bell of the Dog Files. Take a few minutes to watch it and remember the canine and human heroes of September 11th.

Photo credit: FEMA, Mike Scott from the California Task Force-8 and his dog, Billy, at Ground Zero.

Stephanie Feldstein is a Change.org Editor who has been part of the animal welfare and rescue community for over a decade, and most recently worked for an environmental organization.
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