Since retiring from the Navy, this veteran has raised 21 guide dogs
Whether she's running into the grocery store or spending an afternoon at the Washington Monument, Melissa Harrington brings Sunny With A Purpose, aka SWAP, along for the ride.
Harrington began volunteering with the nonprofit Guide Dog Foundation following her retirement from the Navy. Since 2002, the Virginia resident and her family have trained 21 service dogs to assist people who are blind. SWAP is an 18-month-old Golden Retriever, and as part of her training, she needs to be exposed to people in different environments. Because of that, SWAP gets to go on lots of adventures with Harrington.
"That's always my goal: By the time I turn in a dog, this dog has been truly socialized and goes places," Harrington told Today. "The more that these dogs have been exposed to — in a very relaxed way — as a puppy is going to serve them in great stead when they're actually out there supporting and making decisions and guiding."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
While it is hard to say goodbye at the end of training, Harrington said, it is worth it to know how much these dogs help their new owners. "It is so special and absolutely motivates you to keep going," she said. "I think this is just one of the most fulfilling things that I've ever done."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Dengue hits the Americas hard and early
Speed Read Puerto Rico has declared an epidemic as dengue cases surge
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures A collapsed bridge, a colorful spring festival and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - March 29, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - Trump's Bible sales, the Baltimore bridge collapse, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published