News

Partnership makes companionship, independence possible

  • Published
  • By Wayne Crenshaw
  • 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Hayden Martin will get a good friend within a few months.

The 15-year-old son of Maj. Mike Martin, a crew commander in the 16th Airborne Command and Control Squadron, suffers from facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. The disease causes progressive weakening and loss of skeletal muscle.

Hayden can stand with assistance and walk, but he has trouble keeping his balance. That's where his new friend will help, courtesy of the Milk-Bone Canine Heroes Program and the Defense Commissary Agency. The two organizations, through Canine Assistants, are sponsoring a specially trained dog that will help Hayden become more independent.

The donation was announced Feb. 26 at the Robins Commissary. Although he got to meet Ceasar, a Canine Assistants golden retriever, Hayden's permanent dog will be selected when Hayden attends a two-week Canine Assistant's camp in Alpharetta later this year. He will be matched with a dog and learn how to work with it.

"It will be pretty good help," Hayden said.

Sue Harrison, director of volunteer services for Canine Assistants, brought Ceasar to the ceremony. She said the dogs the non-profit group provides include golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers and some other cross breeds. The dogs are trained to perform over 90 commands, including turning on light switches and picking up dropped items.

The dogs at the camp will be fully trained, a process that takes up to two years, Ms. Harrison said. The purpose of the camp, she said, isn't to train the dog but to train the people receiving dogs. The sponsorship will cover the cost of Hayden attending the camp and free veterinarian costs for the life of the dog. The cost of care and training can exceed $20,000.

Major Martin said the dog will mean a lot to his son, who is a sophomore at Warner Robins high school and plays drums in the marching band, although he doesn't march. He is also active in the Boy Scouts.

"It's going to mean more independence and it will be a companion who will be with him all the time," Major Martin said.

Col. Warren Berry, commander of the 78th Air Base Wing, was also on hand for the ceremony.

"This is a big day for Hayden," Colonel Berry said. "He's been waiting a little while for this day."

J.D. Fenessey, a sales representative for Milk-Bone, said the company has sponsored over 800 service dogs nationwide over the past 11 years.