Jordan And Service Dog Vargas
September 23, 2020
Life for a family in Greencastle, Franklin County has been changed, as they’ve welcomed their first service dog into their home.
They say it’s all thanks to the community who helped fundraise.
Back in 2017, abc27 brought you to the bingo fundraiser for the Woodruffs.
They were thrilled when they hit their $17,000 goal for a service dog, but they could’ve never imagined the difference Vargas would make as he entered their home, three years later.
The bond between Vargas and Jordan Woodruff is one you just have to see for yourself.
Eight-year-old Jordan is the happiest he’s ever been, now that Vargas is by his side.
“He does great work for Jordan,” said Jeffrey Woodruff, Jordan’s brother.
Jordan has autism.
“He’s an eloper,” said Jacqueline Woodruff, Jordan’s mom. “He will actually take off and run, and he (Vargas) is actually trained to find him. He can find him based on his cells, the dry cells that fall to the ground. He can actually track him.”
The two are attached at the hip, literally, whenever they’re out.
“If he tries to run away, we can just put Vargas in a down, and he will just sit there and Jordan won’t be able to go anywhere,” said Joshua Woodruff, Jordan’s other brother.
Jordan’s parents used to always have to physically hold onto him.
Now, they can enjoy the little things.
“Going out to eat was a thing that did not happen,” said Aaron Woodruff, Jordan’s dad. “Now we go pretty much every Sunday after church.”
They go every Sunday since the spring, which is when Vargas came into their lives.
The pup is a calming presence, who helps Jordan focus.
“Within days, Jordan was talking more,” said Aaron Woodruff.
“He fell in love with the dog, and the dog fell in love with him,” said Jacqueline Woodruff. “It was amazing.”
Jordan and Vargas have a new morning routine, as they head to school together.
They both love the bus.
Once Jordan gets on that bus, his parents are confident he’ll be noticed by kids at school in a positive way. They say Vargas broke the social barrier.
“It’s just amazing to see that, that someone sees my child,” said Jacqueline Woodruff.
“He’s not invisible any more,” said Aaron Woodruff.
The Woodruffs got Vargas through the nonprofit 4 Paws for Ability.
Most Recent News
Former Victoria man’s diabetic alert dog helps him get back to life
When Luke Hengen’s diabetes worsened in his early twenties, it stripped him of the outdoor activities where the country kid felt at home. Countless wilderness adventures and years of hard-fought football games took a toll on his body, to the point where he could no longer sense when his blood sugar was too high or […]
Students Get Therapy Dog
When middle school students return to class on Jan. 11, they’ll find a new face at the door: Daisy. Daisy is a therapy dog and the personal pet of Rob Kreger, principal of the Rock L. Butler Middle School. The five-year-old golden retriever is not a school pet or mascot, but rather a working dog […]
Therapy Dogtor
Last March, Caroline Benzel, a third-year medical student, began to notice the stress and discomfort her nurse friends were feeling from the pressures of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. “[Personal protective equipment] can be really rough on the skin,” Benzel, 31, tells PEOPLE. Benzel and her 3-year-old Rottweiler, Loki (who’s also a therapy dog) hatched a […]
Therapy Dog Pups
When Stanley the miniature fox terrier’s owner passed away, the little dog started a ‘paw-some’ new role – bringing puppy love to some of the Gold Coast’s oldest residents. After Carinity Cedarbrook Diversional Therapist Julianne Staff adopted Stanley, he began visiting the aged care community at Mudgeeraba as a therapy dog. Therapy dogs help to […]
Puppy Cams
A nonprofit is providing an unusual form of therapy for those on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic – puppy cams! “You spend five minutes with a puppy and try not to smile,” said registered nurse Robin Lingg Lagrone. Lingg Lagrone says watching little furballs wag their tails and prance on their paws helps […]
Pet Committee
When Moore County’s school doors were abruptly closed earlier in 2020, two- and four-legged volunteers from the Moore County Citizens’ Pet Responsibility Committee (PRC) were in their 12th year of presenting a six-session Pet Responsibility Education Program for fourth-graders. The PRC quickly shifted gears and placed its program materials online as part of a home […]