Miracle, who endured months in foster care after a harrowing fall from a second-floor balcony, is now preparing to embark on a new chapter as a service dog for a veteran.
She comes with great news: she has been adopted and will soon begin her new role as a service dog for a war veteran. Last December, a video of a young German Shepherd being thrown from a Daytona Beach balcony went viral. Following the incident, a judge ruled that the dog’s former owner, Allison Murphy, was unable to care for her and approved a request for her rehoming. As a result of the felony charge against Murphy, he will be banned from owning pets for the next five years.
Since December, Miracle has been staying with a foster family. As a young, registered service dog, she has a great deal of love and support to offer, and Animal Services has matched her with a war veteran in need of an assistance animal. Service dogs can help veterans with physical disabilities or injuries by performing tasks such as opening doors, operating switches, retrieving items, and alerting for help. Additionally, they provide emotional support and comfort to veterans dealing with PTSD or other mental health challenges related to their service.
In a statement released by Volusia County, Animal Services Director Adam Leath expressed gratitude to everyone involved in turning Miracle’s story into a happy one. He said, “We’re pleased that, through our collaboration with law enforcement, we could step in and prevent Miracle from further harm.” The county’s animal services and law enforcement agencies remain committed to working together to offer support and resources for both our two- and four-legged friends.
