Brave Spirit. Gentle Paws.
A beautiful bond in the heart of brokenness.
Brave—a word that should only live in a child’s life through whimsical play. Scooping up squirmy insects in the cool dirt of the backyard. Dressing in a frilly princess dress and sparkly crown while protecting a cardboard-box castle. Jumping into the swimming pool on a warm summer day.
But for nine-year-old Riley, the need for bravery stomped into her little world at the innocent age of five.
The vibrant green leaves in the playground faded, and the tip of her paintbrush came up dull as she dipped it into the bright puddles of paint. Color blindness rapidly set in, confusing her parents. Such a smart, creative girl—she had known her colors for years.
After weeks of eye exams and genetic testing, one phone call ripped into young Riley’s carefree imaginary days, yanking the rug underneath two parents’ hopeful feet.
“We got the call on a Tuesday with the Batten disease diagnosis,” Riley’s mom, Jessica, says.
A quick-progressing, fatal disease instantly had Riley’s parents white-knuckling courage, grasping for hope beyond imagination. Their happy-go-lucky little girl, bursting with a love for princesses, painting, and befriending anyone she met, faced the darkness of vision loss . . . and a future of symptoms no child should bear.
“It’s just scary, the thought of living in darkness,” Jessica says. “For your baby to have to go through that . . . and she was already afraid of the dark.”
With time being of the essence, the perfect companion found his way into the breaking hearts of this family: skilled companion dog Banks.
His tenderness tucks in next to Riley every night—his soft head finding a spot on her pillow. Heads resting closely, Riley finds peace in the night.
“He makes me feel brave,” Riley says. She pulls her courage from each embrace around his soft neck, and her small fingers find comfort in his fur.
While Riley may grow slower than her peers due to Batten disease’s neurological effects, Banks remains a constant in her life. Her best friend, never leading too far ahead and never walking too slowly behind. Right next to his person.
“Banks brings a lot of joy and comfort in our sadness,” Jessica says. “He’s given us something happy to look forward to.”
Banks pours out love on the entire family. As Riley’s mom and dad witness her brave fight, they often cuddle into Banks’ softness, holding onto him for a slice of light amidst their darkness.
With Banks at Riley’s side, the family is determined to create beautiful memories together.
From vacationing in the mountains, swimming in the pool, and simple trips to get ice cream on a Friday night, bravery beats in the heart of one little girl because of the four paws of an extraordinary dog.
Unlock the Wonder.
You hold the key to this enchanted place where dreams become reality, where independence, love, and freedom shine. Unlock the wonder by supporting our dogs. Because your kindness makes the impossible possible.
