Service puppy finds a new home
Who doesn't love a puppy?
Especially one as soft and cuddly as the one that was recently delivered to the Hicks family courtesy of the Malinois Foundation.
The puppy was handed off to the family at Gorgas Park on a crisp Sunday morning by the Foundation's Kristina Smith.
Friends of Gorgas Park everyman James Dougherty was on hand to preside over the transfer, which lent an air of official authenticity to the proceedings.
Of course, this isn't just any puppy.
Fifth District assists in providing service dog training
This baby retriever, named Tango, will receive special service preparation in order meet the requirements and rigorous standards that are necessary to allow it to be classified as a service animal for 4-year-old Ahmar Hicks, who is a child with Autism.
Tango has begun obedience training along with Dog Training Elite, Philadelphia with seizure alert training added for Ahmar.
Betsy, the owner of the organization will be donating the service training program for the Hicks family.
The puppy is doing great since his placement with the Hicks family and has already had a positive effect on Ahmar.
The Hicks family was awarded a grant from the Malinois Foundation earlier this year .
The Foundation supplies funding to train service dogs to comfort and guide those whose life essentials would benefit from a trained service dog.
It is hoped that a service animal would bolster the quality of life for Ahmar Hicks as it has with countless others who've had their lives transformed with the addition of these gentle and loving bundles of joy.
Officers and personnel from the Fifth District helped contribute revenue to help the Hicks family offset their initial investment to procure the grant earlier in the summer by presenting the family with a $1,250 donation in a ceremony at Fifth District headquarters.
Tango hails from Dundee, Ohio, the home of Buckeye Golden Retrievers who specialize in providing English Cream Golden Retrievers who are great with kids and eager to please.
Their retrievers make sensational pets and ideal therapy and service animals when given the proper training.
According to founder Marcellus, who started this labor of love back in '05, the BGR "is incredibly pleased to partner with the Malinois Foundation to donate this AKC English cream golden retriever puppy to the Hicks family. We believe that service dogs save lives and change lives. We are excited that one of our puppies will be helping a 4-year-old who is in need of a service dog."
The Buckeye Golden Retrievers specifically is grateful to the Malinois Foundation and everyone "who worked together to make this possible for Ahmar. When we all come together, we can make a difference in the lives of those around us, one person at a time."
As you might expect, the Hicks family is just tickled pink since the arrival of Tango.
Ahmar's mom, Marlena, gushed with indebtedness for all of the organizations that had a hand in bringing this adorable fur ball to their household.
"Our family would like to send our deepest gratitude to Kristina Smith and the entire Malinois Foundation, the Fifth District Police, the Buckeye Golden Retrievers, the Applebees Rose Group, as well as family and friends for providing a very life changing experience for bringing this wonderful service dog to a well-deserving child."
As far as Tango's impact in the Hicks home life is concerned, it's been a total home run.
Marlena mentioned that since Tango's arrival "he's been showered with love and affection. He is a really great addition to our family and we look forward to seeing him learn and grow with Ahmar."
