A yearbook is a special memento for any child. It is something they can look back on in years to come. But, have you ever seen a dog in a yearbook before? Well, this is no ordinary dog, of course.
Touching story of Seph Ware and his service dog
Seph Ware is a 14-year old student at Good Hope Middle School in West Monroe, Louisiana. Seph has a genetic muscular disorder called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which causes Seph a loss of muscle function. But, Seph doesn’t go to school all alone. He has a companion with him each and every day, and her name is Presley, a 5-year old Golden Doodle service dog. Presley has been accompanying Seph to school every day for two years now. She helps Seph with things he can’t do entirely on his own like open drawers, turn light switches on and off and picks up things he may drop.
When it came time for yearbook photos, the school decided to include Presley as part of the yearbook. Lori Ware, Seph’s mother, told ABC News, “It was my son’s turn to take his photo, and they said, ‘Hey how do you feel about us taking a photo of Presley?’ and he was like, ‘Sure.’ Presley, since the day we met her, will carry her leash in her mouth. We just say she likes to walk herself, so it’s no surprise she’s got it in the photo, too.” Lori is referring to the yearbook photo with Presley and her leash in her mouth.
Seph and Presley were paired up in Alpharetta, Georgia at the Canine Assistants, a non-profit organization that provides free dogs to those with disabilities. Currently, Presley is the school district’s first and only service dog.
The yearbook adviser at Good Hope Middle School, Sonya Hogg, said about Presley, “She’s part of our student body. She goes everywhere Seph goes. She knows exactly what to do in each teacher’s class.”
Seph and Presley’s companionship goes beyond school; Presley is part of the family at home too. She will sometimes sleep in Seph’s bed at night. The family plays ball with her in the yard and gives her treats on occasion.
