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Jed Boal Reporting A woman dying of cancer is desperate to find her dog. The animal is what has helped her through a painful ordeal. The woman fears someone stole it from her home.
When we think of service dogs, images of dogs helping the blind typically come to mind. But, psychiatric service dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and can comfort their masters during hospital stays.
Joy Cella battles cancer every day.
Joy Cella/Dog Owner: "I never married and had kids, so she's my baby."
Her miniature long-haired Daschund, Tory, was her constant companion in that fight, her primary support, until the dog disappeared.
Tory is a service dog, certified last year by Cella's doctors at the VA Hospital, allowed in the hospital while her master gets treatment.
Cella and Tory spent most of last week in the hospital. When she returned for treatment, she couldn't find the dog's ID and left Tory at home. When a nurses aide went by her house mid-morning, the back door was ajar and the dog was gone.
Joy Cella/Dog Owner: "I came back around noon. She was gone."
The backyard is fenced, and the dog's collar was discovered in the yard. Sheriff's deputies tried to help find the dog with no luck.
Joy Cella/Dog Owner: "She cannot be separated from me. Whoever has her now, she's probably going ballistic."
Meantime, Cella will try to keep her courage and stay optimistic about her dog, even as she recently found out her cancer is unbeatable.
Joy Cella/Dog Owner: "I kept thinking, well if I have Tory, I can fight it. I don't even feel like fighting now."
She simply wants her dog back. If you have information, call the sheriff's office.
