The Up & Coming Magazine

Images: First, Meeka and Handler/Owner Teresa Perry traveling to Colorado, Second Meeka
working in San Diego, CA

September is Service Dog Awareness Month, a time to honor the incredible work these dogs do every single day. For me, it’s also the perfect time to share the story of Meeka, my best friend, my partner, and my hero, who proves that even rescue dogs can go on to change lives. In 2021, Meeka’s life almost ended before it truly began. Her owners had decided they wanted to euthanize her, but fate had other plans. I found Meeka on a now-defunct rehoming website called “Getyourpet”, and with one look, I knew she was meant to be mine. The day I met her, I knew she deserved a chance at life, love, and purpose. I didn’t realize it then, but by saving her, I was also going to save myself. Together, we began the journey that would turn her from a scared rescue into a fully trained service dog.

Meeka’s training was about more than commands. Little by little, she learned how to be trust again, overcoming trauma I can only begin to imagine. She went from fearful to confident in just a year and by 2022 began Public Access Training, a hallmark of Service Dog training that means the dog is ready to take on non-pet-friendly environments, and has mastered all of the skills required.

In 2022, Meeka accomplished an incredible feat and was nominated for the American Humane Hero Dog Awards. She didn’t win, but the nomination itself was proof of what I had always known, that a dog that someone once gave up on could rise to become a hero. In 2023, Meeka and I moved to Texas, where she worked as a demo dog at PetSmart. She helped me show the community what positive reinforcement training can do, modeling patience and partnership for everyone who watched. 

In 2023, we briefly relocated to Florida for a veterinary job I held, but by July of 2024, we returned to Texas and picked up right where we left off. The rest of our 2024 was filled with teaching children to raise livestock and settling into a new city. Meeka had an opportunity to learn to herd for the very first time, a natural-born skill for most Blue Heelers like her. 

This past summer of 2025 brought our biggest adventure yet. Meeka got the opportunity to accompany me on a long-term work trip for 3 months to Colorado. On our trip, Meeka flew on a plane, rode in a tractor, met livestock, made new friends, and even went up Pikes Peak with me. Watching her take in each new experience with trust and confidence reminded me of just how far she’s come.

Now that we are back home in Texas, Meeka continues her work by my side. She’ll turn five this November, a milestone that feels both worth celebrating while also being an occasion to show her my gratitude. From a dog whose life was nearly cut short to a devoted partner who makes my life possible, she is living proof that rescue dogs can do extraordinary things.

This Service Dog Awareness Month, I want people to know that service dogs aren’t defined by where they come from. Some are bred for the role, yes, but others, like Meeka, are rescued, rehabilitated, and trained into greatness. With love, patience, and belief in their potential, rescue dogs can become not only service dogs but true heroes.

This was written by our contributing writer, Teresa Perry.