Family In Need Will Receive Helping Paw
Canine Assistance Dog Helps Family With Muscular Dystrophy

POSTED: 6:39 pm PST March 22, 2006
UPDATED: 7:00 pm PST March 22, 2006


ENCINITAS, Calif. -- A family struck by muscular dystrophy received a very special helping hand Wednesday.

The Kaufmann family will have a new four-legged member of the family soon.

Molly, a canine assistance dog, was introduced to 12-year-old Steven Kaufmann.

Steven is dealing with muscular dystrophy, but with a dog like Molly, he'll be better able to cope.

"The dogs can do things that person may not be able to do like pick up things they drop, turn lights on and off, open doors and go for help -- extrodinary things like that," said canine assistance founder Jennifer Arnold.

That kind of training doesn't come cheap. It takes roughly $10,000, but PetSmart and Milk Bone have teamed up to provide dogs like Molly to those in need.

Molly won't be Steven's dog. Steven will be able to choose one of his own when he goes to Atlanta for a two week training course, and whatever dog ends up in the Kaufmann home will be a busy one.

"My younger son also has muscular dystrophy, and he'll also be in this position when he gets to this age. Hopefully the dog can help both of them," said father Bryan Kaufmann.

Aside from helping with day-to-day chores, these highly trained animals become a real part of the family.

"They have legal access to all public places, so Steven will not face another day of disability without his best friend next to him," said Arnold.

The Kaufmanns plan to select their own campanion and start training in October.

PetSmart and Milk Bone have teamed up over the last eight years to provide more than 500 service dogs to those in need.