The search is heating up in Wyomissing, Berks county, for a service dog- recently paired with a stroke victim- but missing since Tuesday night.
As 46-year-old Denice DeAntonio waits for word of her beloved "Finley," she tells FOX 29's Bruce Gordon, "I waited all this time, and went through the training and we were doing so well..."
And now this.
Finley disappeared during the commotion when Denise fell and hurt herself outside a Wyomissing shopping center Tuesday night.
"I know when it happened," says Denice, "I just cried and kept telling people, 'Go get my dog! Get my dog! Get my dog...'"
Dustin Feldman with "Amazing Tails"-- they provided the service dog and he's helping to organize the search- says a veteran service dog might not have run. But Finley was new to the job-- just two weeks out of training with Denice.
"It usually takes several months to a year or a pair to really bond and just to trust each other," Feldman told Gordon.
Denise- just four years removed from a stroke that impaired her motor skills- had waited 18 months for Finley, then trained with him, side-by-side, for 10 days last month.
She says the dog changed her life, even in the short time they were paired together.
Searchers found Finley's ID packet in the woods early Thursday morning.
Late in the afternoon, a handler with his tracking dog- a wire-haired dachshund, joined the search.
All volunteers- looking to help a stranger reconnect with her companion.
"As bad as I feel, and as upset as I am," says Denice, "I have to say that I still feel blessed."
If you are interested in joining the search- people, but no dogs, please- or, if you have spotted Finley, call Dustin Feldman at 954-608-1217.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:57:28 GMT
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:07 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:07:39 GMT
Published reports are saying this is a murder/suicide. The victim is 47 year old family practice doctor Michelle Liggio, and the alleged gunman is her estranged husband 58 year old Christopher.
Published reports are saying this is a murder/suicide. The victim is 47 year old family practice doctor Michelle Liggio, and the alleged gunman is her estranged husband 58 year old Christopher.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:14 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:14:04 GMT
Parents at a Port Richmond playground say they fear for their kids' safety. They feel intimidated by a street person living, nearly full time, in the park!
Parents at a Port Richmond playground say they fear for their kids' safety. They feel intimidated by a street person living, nearly full time, in the park!
Wednesday, June 12 2013 6:34 PM EDT2013-06-12 22:34:31 GMT
The Trenton Titans minor league ice hockey team closed up shop back in April, for reasons that have never been fully explained. Now, season ticket holders have lost their team and their money.
The Trenton Titans minor league ice hockey team closed up shop back in April, for reasons that have never been fully explained. Now, season ticket holders have lost their team and their money.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:14:32 GMT
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:19 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:19:58 GMT
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:11:57 GMT
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:57:28 GMT
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:47 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:47:02 GMT
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:06 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:06:59 GMT
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
"Finley," pictured, went missing Tuesday night in Berks County.
Volunteers search through a wooded area in Wyomissing Thursday for a missing service dog.
