Miracle, who spent months in foster care after surviving a frightening fall from a second-floor balcony, is about to start a new journey as a service dog for a veteran.
She has returned with wonderful news: she has been adopted and will soon start her new life as a service dog for a war veteran. Last December, a video showing a young German Shepherd being thrown from a Daytona Beach balcony went viral. After the incident, a judge determined that the dog's previous owner, Allison Murphy, is unable to care for her and granted a request for rehoming. Due to the felony charge against Murphy, he will be prohibited from owning pets for the next five years.
In December 2020, a hotel in Daytona Beach received a call from Volusia County police regarding a woman who was allegedly threatening to jump from a second-floor balcony. Murphy gathered the dog and threw her over the balcony before the sheriffs arrived. The dog somehow got to her feet again and ran away. She was seized by onlookers, who then sent her to an animal clinic nearby for treatment. She was able to escape with with minor wounds, earning the moniker "Miracle."
Since December, Miracle has been living with a foster family. She still has a lot of love and support to provide as a young registered service dog, and Animal Services has placed her with a war veteran who requires an assistance animal. Veterans with physical disabilities and injuries may benefit from service dogs' assistance with tasks including opening doors, using switches, retrieving objects, and barking for help. They also offer veterans who have PTSD or other mental health issues as a result of their service emotional support and solace.
Animal Services Director Adam Leath thanked everyone who helped make Miracle's story a joyful one in a statement released by Volusia County, stating, "We're glad that working with our law enforcement colleagues, we were able to intervene and prevent Miracle from any more damage." The county's animal services and law enforcement agencies continue to collaborate to provide resources and assistance to both our two- and four-legged creatures.