A service dog trained in Iola began its new life as companion for an 11-year-old elementary student in Topeka, Alex White, in late March.
Iolan Ron Fry is proud of the role he had in making the dog available.
Fry was the primary trainer for the dog, which came to town officially named Redondo but became better known as Iola.
“A lot of people in town had a role in helping with the training,” he said, particularly employees at Walmart who adopted the dog as their temporary mascot.
Redondo will perform as a service dog for young Alex, replacing one that was hit by a car and killed. The Golden Retriever’s chores include pulling Alex’s wheelchair and as a physical support.
Redondo was acquired and trained under the watchful eye of Kansas Specialty Dog Services, a Washington, Kan., organization that provides guide, service and social dogs.
Guide dogs are for those with vision and hearings problems, while service dogs fill everyday needs. The dogs don’t come on the cheap, but cost is limited to $25,000.
“Their price depends on the person’s ability to pay,” Fry said, with KSDS, a non-profit, drawing support from the Kansas Department of Rehabilitation Services and individual donors.
The story of Redondo and Alex White isn’t complete without noting that the two were paired through the efforts of one of Alex’s classmates, Saige Halseth, whose fundraising campaign generated $33,000.
Fry spent nearly two years training Redondo. The dog spent another six to seven months in training with KSDS.
“I’m proud of what we did with Redondo,” said Fry, deflecting praise from himself. “I had a lot of help from a lot of caring people. We raised a fine dog.”
Fry is now six months into training another dog, Italy.
