Service Dog Stars in Middle School Yearbook Alongside Proud Owner
This is perhaps one of the most paw-dorable yearbook pictures ever.
— -- This is perhaps one of the most paw-dorable yearbook pictures ever.
Take a look at Presley, a 5-year-old service dog in West Monroe, Louisiana, who’s been going to school every day with her owner, Seph Ware, for the past two years.
Seph, 14, has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a progressive genetic muscle disorder that causes a loss of muscle function, so Presley tags along to help him with daily activities at school like picking things up off the floor, opening and closing doors and turning the lights on and off.
As a tribute to Presley’s loyalty, Good Hope Middle School decided to include her in the yearbook right alongside her proud owner.
“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,’” Seph’s mom, Lori Ware, told ABC News. “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.”
Needless to say, Presley struck a perfect pose, which is now going viral after the photo was posted to Facebook.
“This whole thing has just been crazy,” Lori said of the attention the pup’s picture has gotten. “But Seph’s loving it. He is very social and he’s very animated and so he thinks it’s just great. It’s his 15 minutes of fame.”
And boy are they famous. Students at school are even asking for the dynamic duo’s autographs.
“All the kids are now asking him for Presley’s autograph,” said Lori. “So he signs his name in the yearbook and he draws a paw print for Presley. One little girl even brought an ink pad trying to get Presley’s actual paw print.”
Presley and Seph have been best buds from the moment they were paired up at the non-profit organization called Canine Assistants located in Alpharetta, Georgia.
“They are amazing. They give these dogs for free to people with disabilities,” Lori explained. “[Presley] came to us when she was 18 months old. You go for two weeks to learn how to work with the dogs. And the dogs choose their owners. It’s all about the bond.”
After days of careful observation, it seems the boy and his sweet dog were absolutely meant to be.
“Presley came over and laid her head in Seph’s lap and said, ‘This is my boy.’ It’s an amazing experience,” said Lori.
Related Stories
ABC News Live