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Book Reviews

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Meet Aris, a 110 lbs. Czech Shepherd who, when they first met, tried to take a bite out of author Bob Wank. Once partnered, they formed an indestructible bond which enabled them to conquer any obstacles they faced along the way to becoming an elite team in police work, as well as in the field of search and rescue. Their mutual love for their work took them on a journey through dangerous situations, major evidence finds, chasing “bad guys” on the streets of Southern California and ultimately being deployed, with FEMA on 9/11, to one of the largest and tragic crime scenes our nation has ever seen. The book, Aris A K-9 Hero's Life Before, During & After 9/11 gives you a unique look into a working dog’s life. Bob’s vivid recounting of their shared experiences during Aris’ lifetime of service will give you a new appreciation for the remarkable capabilities of a professional K-9. From allowing children to pet him and pull his hair to barking a suspect into submission, he did it all. He was a credit to working dogs everywhere. About the Author Bob Wank retired as a Sergeant with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department after 30 years of service. This is his first book which was written in memory of his amazing K-9 partner, Aris. Bob wanted Aris’s life of service to be shared in the hope that it would shed light on the awe-inspiring talents of working dogs and their handlers, as well as to remind people that they can put aside differences and unite to fight the evil in the world. After retirement, Bob began a new career as a flight attendant which has taken him many places and allowed him to meet people from all different cultures and environments. It has brought him a renewed desire to reach out to as many people as possible and attempt to inject a positive attitude towards life into everyone he meets. Other passions of his include spending time with his family, surfing, brewing beer, mountain biking, reading, and lying on the beach. He currently lives in Orange County, California. For more info check them out on Facebook or bobwank.com.              

The holidays offer ample opportunity to curl up with your Service Dog and catch up on some reading. One of the books on our reading list this year is A Lowcountry Christmas by New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe. This Christmas novel features Service Dogs, a Veteran with PTSD, a family in need of help, and tons of feel-good moments perfect for the season. Learn more about A Lowcountry Christmas during our interview with Mary Alice Monroe. A Lowcountry Christmas Service Dog Book Overview From the inside of the book's cover jacket: As far as ten-year-old Miller McClellan is concerned, it's the worst Christmas ever. His father's shrimp boat is docked, his mother is working two jobs, and with finances strained, Miller is told they can't afford the dog he desperately wants. "Your brother's return from war is our family's gift," his parents tell him. But when Taylor returns with PTSD, family strains darken the holidays. Heartbreak and financial stress threaten to destroy the spirit of the season until the miraculous gift of a service dog leads Taylor, his family, and their community on a healing journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas. Interview With A Lowcountry Christmas Author, Mary Alice Monroe AP: What inspired you to write a novel centered around Service Dogs? M: When I was volunteering at the Dolphin Research Center in Florida I worked with Wounded Vets.  One of them had a Service Dog.  He told me how much the dog meant to him and how it woke him from his nightmares. “I love my wife, but I need my dog.”  You can bet that line got into the book!  One day his Service Dog, a black Lab, walked up to the edge of the dock while a curious dolphin kept bobbing up to look at him. The dog walked closer and closer and finally, they touched each other!  It was a tender moment. As a result of that fond memory, I tried to emphasize the bond between a Service Dog and Veteran. AP: What has been your experience with Service Dogs? You mentioned Pets for Vets in the book. Is that an organization you have been involved with? What is unique about their approach in terms of partnering veterans with Service Dogs? M: As I wrote above, I worked with Service Dogs through the Wounded Warrior program.  In South Carolina, I researched Service Dog programs in my area and discovered Pets for

Guides or resources for people wishing to train their own Service Dog are few and far between, so when we saw one literally titled Training Your Own Service Dog, we snatched it up for review. We did the reading, and now we’ll do the reviewing, so you can know what you’re getting before you get it.

Until Tuesday is the story of two wounded hearts. Both of of these souls had given great amounts of effort to succeed in their careers, and suffered the consequences. Over time, they found salvation in each other. This story about the bond of a Service Dog and his handler, is also a story about love and it's power to heal, a true story of a phoenix rising.