This three-legged dog is training to inspire others to overcome difficulties in their lives
A local three-legged dog will receive a new prosthetic and a new job following an outpouring of community support.
Trilogy, a golden retriever who turned 2 in October, was born without a front leg. A prosthetic, paid for through a fundraising campaign, will strengthen Trilogy's joints and prevent him from tiring as easily, said Maddie Masse, vice president and co-founder of Partners with Paws Service Dogs. Masse started the organization, which trains, places and oversees service dogs primarily in Washington and Ozaukee counties, with her sister, Mya, in 2020.
Once he receives his prosthetic, Trilogy will begin training to become a comfort animal. It's part of a long-term goal, Maddie Masse said, to turn Trilogy's difficult life circumstances into an inspiring story for the people he assists.
"We hope when other people see him, they see that (his disability) does not stop him from being in society and that he wants to be out there making people happy," said Masse.
The fundraiser, set up by Partners with Paws, has so far raised more than $2,200, surpassing its $2,000 goal. Donations will continue to be accepted and be put toward Trilogy's future medical care.
Trilogy will eventually provide comfort at nursing homes, hospitals and Grafton High School
While Partners with Paws Service Dogs owns Trilogy, the plan is for Trilogy to permanently live with Brenda Stielow, a family and consumer science teacher at Grafton High School and her college-aged daughter, Erika.
The goal, said Masse, is for Trilogy to become a facility dog, which means he will provide comfort, services and skills to an entire facility instead of just a specific person.
Stielow said he needs further training before gaining certification as a facility dog, and she and her daughter are still learning what that process is. She said it will consist of learning commands and how to act when at work. Once he is trained and certified, Stielow said, he will be able to visit nursing homes, hospitals and wherever else he is needed.
She expects he will likely become a regular fixture at Grafton High School.
But first, Stielow said, Trilogy will visit the school to charm, relax and comfort others during stressful times such as final exam week.
Stielow knows firsthand that dogs like Trilogy can make a difference. When she went through chemotherapy, a comfort dog often provided her with joy and an escape from her health struggles.
"No matter what your disabilities are, Trilogy can show that people can overcome them," she said. "Kids have struggles and they will see Trilogy overcome them and say, 'I can too.'"
Here's how you can help Trilogy or volunteer to become a puppy trainer
To make a donation to help Trilogy with future vet bills or to be a volunteer puppy trainer, visit https://partnerswithpawsservicedogs.org or call 262-977-6110.
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Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee area three-legged Golden retriever inspires local community
