Tampa, Florida – Sandy Lewers 55, adopts paralysed dog from Humane Society of Tampa Bay.
Sandy told ABC News reporter Ben Gittleson that she had no intention of buying a dog when she went to the shelter but that when she saw Willie the dachshund her heart melted.
Willie was discovered by a staff member from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay in a box near some bins near their building. The dog was paralysed from the tail, hindquarters and waist down.
Willie now brings comfort to Sandy’s 2 children Kevin, 21, and Lia, 18 who are both autistic.
Sandy told ABC News
“We have two autistic kids, and I have a dog who was in a wheelchair, so I was ready for it,”
Sandy also has 3 other dachshunds.
Willie has been learning to walk with the help of a wheelchair which is specially made for dogs.
Sherry Silk, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay told ABC News that is it is very uncommon for a dog found in a bin like Willie to make it to such a loving home so quickly.
Sandy tells if how Willie has helped her children and in particular her daughter.
“It has helped our daughter overcome some seriously sensory issues she had.”
The full article on ABC News can be read here