BY LORI CASTLE
Business Editor
In 1994, the scorching Texas heat and a chain
attached to a stake served as home for a young,
half-starved, heartworm infested, “golden-red dog.”
Karen Costello of the Greater Houston Golden
Retriever Club (GHGRC), which also served as a
rescue organization for the breed, received a phone
call about this abandoned pooch.
As she approached the yard where he was tied,
something in this dog’s eyes made her realize that
this animal was extra special. She named him
Dakota, which is the “Native American word for
friend.” This was the beginning of an amazing and
inspirational story of dog who was given up on and
a man who gave up on life.
Business Editor
In 1994, the scorching Texas heat and a chain
attached to a stake served as home for a young,
half-starved, heartworm infested, “golden-red dog.”
Karen Costello of the Greater Houston Golden
Retriever Club (GHGRC), which also served as a
rescue organization for the breed, received a phone
call about this abandoned pooch.
As she approached the yard where he was tied,
something in this dog’s eyes made her realize that
this animal was extra special. She named him
Dakota, which is the “Native American word for
friend.” This was the beginning of an amazing and
inspirational story of dog who was given up on and
a man who gave up on life.
In the late 90s, Good Morning America, the USA Network, Animal Planet, Dog Fancy,
Lifetime, Discovery Channel and many other media outlets covered an aspect of Mike
Lingenfelter’s story of his journey back from illness through the special abilities of and
his unbelievable connection with his Golden Retriever, Dakota.
By 2002, Lingenfelter, along with his friend David Frei, co-host of the Westminster Kennel
Club Dog Show, wrote their own book to tell the whole story.
Simply put, Angel By My Side, published by Hay House Publishing, chronicles the
relationship between Lingenfelter and Dakota and the many acts of service provided and
lessons taught by the duo.
Underlying this heroism is an extraordinary testament to the animal-human bond, which
improves our quality-of-life (and in this case, literally saves lives) and inspires spiritual
connection.
No way. I already have a dog...I didn’t need a dog—I knew the end was coming for me,
and I wanted it to.
So opens chapter one of Angel By My Side. Lingenfelter’s life had gone from successful
engineer with a “wonderful marriage and a beautiful loving family” to him wanting life to
be over after suffering two major heart attacks that left him with unstable angina.
This disease leads to unpredictable attacks in which the “chest feels like it is being
squeezed into a vise.” Lingenfelter could no longer work and though angina can be
treated with medication, there was no pattern for the attacks, so he was virtually unable to
ever be alone. This led to anger, depression and suicidal thoughts, with only the love of
his wife to keep him going.
While being treated for depression, his psychiatrist suggested a service dog that could
become a companion for him and give him some sort of independence.
What his doctor knew, that Lingenfelter did not, was that “Individuals who have mental
illness or low self-esteem focus on themselves; animals can help them focus on their
environment. Rather that thinking about themselves and their problems, they watch and
talk to and about the animals.”
Man Meets Dog
When he first met Dakota, Lingenfelter was less than thrilled. The dog “didn't make much
of a first impression.” His wife, however, insisted they bring Dakota home for the night to
give him a test run. She said, “This dog has been through a lot, Mike. He’s had a bad
heart, people have given up on him, and he keeps getting one more change to survive.
Does that sound familiar? He’s just like you.”
He thought, “Just like me? Oh, my God. She was right... Okay, I’ll give him one more day,
then that’s it.”
One more day turned into seven years, a newfound perspective and a new mission in life.
Dakota (nicknamed Cody), started out as a service dog only to Lingenfelter, and he would
stay by the man’s side throughout attacks, calming him and helping him work through
the pain. (It is well known that even the simple act of petting an animal can lower blood
pressure.)
It wasn’t long before mental and physical life improved for Lingenfelter and he chose to
share Cody with the world. The dog took and perfectly passed the Canine Good Citizen
(CGC) test (run by the AKC), which led to him becoming animal-assisted therapy (AAT)
certified. Lingenfelter and Cody spent years going to hospitals, nursing homes and
special schools where they saw unprecedented changes in patients and students due to
Cody’s special skills.
Along the way, Cody exhibited an astonishing ability. He was actually able to tell when
Lingenfelter was going to have an attack and warn him in advance, (through constant
pawing).
With the help of Cody’s alerting ability, Lingenfelter was then able to lessen the severity of
these attacks and even go back to work. In fact, Cody was able to help several of
Lingenfelter’s co-workers who otherwise did not even know they were sick. One had a
heart attack in the hospital and would have died had he not been alerted; another had
bypass surgery the next day.
Teaching Through Guidance
Since he was now legally a service dog, Cody fell under the Americans With Disabilities
Act and this led to another purpose. Lingenfelter educated the public on the rights of
those with service dogs. Many business owners and public officials did not realize the
scope of their responsibilities to those with disabilities. Lingenfelter held formal classes
and also educated through the informal battles he had to wage, when doors were
slammed on he and Cody.
Even Cody’s battle with cancer opened new doors for the duo. They wound up at the
Animal Cancer Center (ACC) at Colorado State University with Dr. Greg Ogilvie, the “world’
s leading authority” on research and treatment of animal cancer.
Here they met Dr. Brenda McClelland, a veterinarian, who
was also known as an animal communicator. She
discovered that Dakota was not a regular dog, but a spirit
guide. Dr. McClelland noted that Cody's eyes would
change color when there was something important he
wanted to communicate. Interactions between her and
Cody and how they led to physical and mental discovery is one of the most interesting
aspects of the book.
When his own end was near, Dakota even lit the way for and trained his “replacement,” a
five-month old puppy who was renamed Ogilvie in honor of the heroic doctor who helped
cure Dakota of cancer.
The simple narration of this story makes it an easy and quick read and lend to the beauty
of the tale.
First published Jan. 5, 2005 in The Animal Companion.
Lifetime, Discovery Channel and many other media outlets covered an aspect of Mike
Lingenfelter’s story of his journey back from illness through the special abilities of and
his unbelievable connection with his Golden Retriever, Dakota.
By 2002, Lingenfelter, along with his friend David Frei, co-host of the Westminster Kennel
Club Dog Show, wrote their own book to tell the whole story.
Simply put, Angel By My Side, published by Hay House Publishing, chronicles the
relationship between Lingenfelter and Dakota and the many acts of service provided and
lessons taught by the duo.
Underlying this heroism is an extraordinary testament to the animal-human bond, which
improves our quality-of-life (and in this case, literally saves lives) and inspires spiritual
connection.
No way. I already have a dog...I didn’t need a dog—I knew the end was coming for me,
and I wanted it to.
So opens chapter one of Angel By My Side. Lingenfelter’s life had gone from successful
engineer with a “wonderful marriage and a beautiful loving family” to him wanting life to
be over after suffering two major heart attacks that left him with unstable angina.
This disease leads to unpredictable attacks in which the “chest feels like it is being
squeezed into a vise.” Lingenfelter could no longer work and though angina can be
treated with medication, there was no pattern for the attacks, so he was virtually unable to
ever be alone. This led to anger, depression and suicidal thoughts, with only the love of
his wife to keep him going.
While being treated for depression, his psychiatrist suggested a service dog that could
become a companion for him and give him some sort of independence.
What his doctor knew, that Lingenfelter did not, was that “Individuals who have mental
illness or low self-esteem focus on themselves; animals can help them focus on their
environment. Rather that thinking about themselves and their problems, they watch and
talk to and about the animals.”
Man Meets Dog
When he first met Dakota, Lingenfelter was less than thrilled. The dog “didn't make much
of a first impression.” His wife, however, insisted they bring Dakota home for the night to
give him a test run. She said, “This dog has been through a lot, Mike. He’s had a bad
heart, people have given up on him, and he keeps getting one more change to survive.
Does that sound familiar? He’s just like you.”
He thought, “Just like me? Oh, my God. She was right... Okay, I’ll give him one more day,
then that’s it.”
One more day turned into seven years, a newfound perspective and a new mission in life.
Dakota (nicknamed Cody), started out as a service dog only to Lingenfelter, and he would
stay by the man’s side throughout attacks, calming him and helping him work through
the pain. (It is well known that even the simple act of petting an animal can lower blood
pressure.)
It wasn’t long before mental and physical life improved for Lingenfelter and he chose to
share Cody with the world. The dog took and perfectly passed the Canine Good Citizen
(CGC) test (run by the AKC), which led to him becoming animal-assisted therapy (AAT)
certified. Lingenfelter and Cody spent years going to hospitals, nursing homes and
special schools where they saw unprecedented changes in patients and students due to
Cody’s special skills.
Along the way, Cody exhibited an astonishing ability. He was actually able to tell when
Lingenfelter was going to have an attack and warn him in advance, (through constant
pawing).
With the help of Cody’s alerting ability, Lingenfelter was then able to lessen the severity of
these attacks and even go back to work. In fact, Cody was able to help several of
Lingenfelter’s co-workers who otherwise did not even know they were sick. One had a
heart attack in the hospital and would have died had he not been alerted; another had
bypass surgery the next day.
Teaching Through Guidance
Since he was now legally a service dog, Cody fell under the Americans With Disabilities
Act and this led to another purpose. Lingenfelter educated the public on the rights of
those with service dogs. Many business owners and public officials did not realize the
scope of their responsibilities to those with disabilities. Lingenfelter held formal classes
and also educated through the informal battles he had to wage, when doors were
slammed on he and Cody.
Even Cody’s battle with cancer opened new doors for the duo. They wound up at the
Animal Cancer Center (ACC) at Colorado State University with Dr. Greg Ogilvie, the “world’
s leading authority” on research and treatment of animal cancer.
Here they met Dr. Brenda McClelland, a veterinarian, who
was also known as an animal communicator. She
discovered that Dakota was not a regular dog, but a spirit
guide. Dr. McClelland noted that Cody's eyes would
change color when there was something important he
wanted to communicate. Interactions between her and
Cody and how they led to physical and mental discovery is one of the most interesting
aspects of the book.
When his own end was near, Dakota even lit the way for and trained his “replacement,” a
five-month old puppy who was renamed Ogilvie in honor of the heroic doctor who helped
cure Dakota of cancer.
The simple narration of this story makes it an easy and quick read and lend to the beauty
of the tale.
First published Jan. 5, 2005 in The Animal Companion.
| The Angel By My Side |
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For more information on Angel By My Side, visit www.angelbymyside.com. |
