By SUE MANNING
Associated Press Writer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
April 14, 2010
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jennifer Arnold spends her life breeding, training and matching service dogs for people with disabilities or special needs.
It was her own quest for a dog that saw her through her darkest years when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and her father's death dimmed her chance for independence.
"I remember not wanting to leave the house," she said. "I felt very awkward, scared. It surprised me how frightened I was to be left alone. You feel so vulnerable."
Arnold has written a book, "Through a Dog's Eyes," that comes out in September. A PBS documentary based on the book and narrated by Neil Patrick Harris debuts April 21 (check local listings for time).
Harris, star of "How I Met Your Mother" and a dog owner, said he was "wildly moved" by the documentary about the bond between the service canines and the people they help.
"You can see it in the faces of these dogs," he said.
Arnold was 16 and carefree, enjoying life with her mother and eye surgeon father in Atlanta. Then doctors said she had multiple sclerosis and she found herself in a wheelchair. Her father tried to get her a service dog, but she was far down on the waiting list.
Please tap on link for the rest of the story: http://www.accessatlanta.com/celebrities-tv/pbs-documentary-tracks-human-461888.html
On the Net:
Canine Assistants: http://www.canineassistants.org
PBS: http://www.pbs.org
Milk-Bone: http://www.milkbone.com/
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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