WILLIAMSPORT-The Williamsport-Lycoming Foundation and the Lycoming County United Way joined the Lycoming County Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) on Reach Road Wednesday, August 6, 2003 to celebrate the uniting of jasmine, a mixed breed dog from Eagles' Wings Service Dogs Inc.., with Williamsport resident Dale Gaffney. Eagles' Wings Service Dogs Inc. began as a volunteer group of the Lycoming SPCA; and with the financial assistance of the Williamsport-Lycoming Foundation, the Lycoming County United Way and other community donations, the group was able to purchase equipment and computers, and create a training program for dogs such as jasmine.

Chosen as one of the first pilot dogs for the program, jasmine initially came to the Lycoming County SPCA in an emaciated condition; she was very sick and the victim of abuse and neglect. The SPCA's loving care and medical assistance coupled with the personal attention from Cindy Sortman, an SPCA volunteer and president of Eagles' Wings Service Dogs Inc., gave jasmine a new leash on life.

Once barely surviving, jasmine is now a service dog and a very important part of Gaffney's life. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. However, service animals provide more than physical assistance; they provide companionship and support and build confidence. Gaffney is not a first-time dog owner, but he has never owned a dog trained with skills that assist him with everyday living. "I am so appreciative of her capabilities through you [SPCA and Eagles' Wings]," said Gaffney as he held onto his newfound friend and helper. In a spectacular demonstration of obedience to word commands, Jasmine assisted Gaffney on Wednesday by retrieving different dropped articles and pulling an out-of-reach wheelchair to him. Jasmine assists Gaffney with opening heavy doors at commercial buildings by holding the door with the help of a special harness, allowing Gaffney to wheel through.

Gaffney, who is confined to a wheelchair, spent the last three weeks working with Eagles' Wings' trainers Cindy Sortman, Ann Sanders and Tammy Cornelius to learn the appropriate ways to instruct jasmine to help him when needed. Prior to being matched with Gaffney, jasmine lived with Donna Brink for two years, during which time Brink focused on the dog's obedience, social and service skills. Training involved trips to various public shops, churches, restaurants, fairs and places where jasmine had to demonstrate appropriate social behavior and assist with door opening and retrieving. The Jersey Shore High Rise Apartments offered their facility for training, and trainers introduced jasmine to elevators and ramps. After a year and a half of training, jasmine was matched to Dale Gaffney's application, and trainer Sanders worked on refining jasmine's skills prior to the three-week dog-partner training session.

The Lycoming County SPCA believes that by training selected shelter dogs to assist individuals, both the dog and the individual benefit by gaining greater independence and becoming contributing members of the community. The mission of Eagles' Wings Service Dogs Inc. is to increase the independence of and improve the quality of life for individuals with various physical limitations by providing homeless animals from the Lycoming County SPCA who are trained for service. Gaffney's constant smile and jasmine's complete loyalty certainly support these efforts.

"It is a real pleasure for the Williamsport-Lycoming Foundation to have a part in this important service," said Debbie Mader Miller, manager of program and scholarship services for the Foundation. "Likewise, the Lycoming County United Way welcomes the opportunity to support these groups," said Rosann Pelleschi, Lycoming United Way. Additional information about the Lycoming County SPCA and Eagles' Wings Service Dogs Inc. can be obtained by calling 570-433-0965 or visiting www.lycoming.org/spca or www.eagleswingsservicedogs.org