Pup born without paw will still work as service dog

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The puppies at Alpharetta, Georgia's Canine Assistants have a destiny and a purpose.

They will grow up to be service dogs.

These highly trained, huge-hearted canines help physically and emotionally, enabling the disabled to have independence, confidence and happiness.

So imagine when one of these puppies, perfectly suited for a life of service, is born less than perfect.

"He was born without a foot," explained Dr. Kent Bruner, Canine Assistants veterinarian and husband of founder Jennifer Arnold. "What we think happened is the umbilical cord got wrapped around his foot and caused that foot to not have a normal blood supply."

Pirelli is turning three months old, and yes, he's named for the tires because, "He needs a retread," Bruner said.

Pirelli is excruciatingly cute and missing a foot, so at a place that's all about overcoming disabilities, he's going to get one.

"If we were to say 'no, we reject this puppy based on a physical issue,' we would be horrible hypocrites," Jennifer Arnold said.

Dr. Bruner says Pirelli will be 7 months old before he gets his new foot. For now, a cushioned boot protects Pirelli's tender limb.

He may have a bit further to go than his brothers and sisters, but his destiny remains unchanged. He will be a service dog who travels to schools.

"I think the fact that he has a disability of his own is going to be incredible in teaching people that it's irrelevant, that life is not about what your body can do. It's about who you are on the inside not the outside. I want Pirelli to go into schools and say when you judge whether or not you want someone to be your friend, don't look at their bodies. That's not where you need to look," Arnold said.

What Pirelli is lacking physically does not take away from who he is and what he will do.

The same can be said for every person who receives a dog from Canine Assistants.

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