Guide Dog Agency: Dog Who Jumped In Front Of Bus Went Well Beyond Training
SMITHTOWN, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A service dog that darted in front of a school bus to protect his blind owner this week had been specially trained to spring into action.
CBS2's Lou Young showed us Wednesday night, where the golden retriever named Figo was taught to be such a good dog.
Figo then moved into the bus, putting himself in harm's way, Young reported.
As Stone lay injured on the ground, Brewster Police Chief John Del Gardo said despite having a severe leg injury, Figo would not leave Stone's side. Amazingly, Figo didn't yelp in pain but calmly struggled to stay with Stone.
"We're proud of our graduate," said Wells Jones, chief executive officer of the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind in Smithtown, Long Island.
Figo had been matched with Stone eight years ago at the foundation, where dogs are trained to help the visually impaired avoid danger.
"We have a test when we're in training -- it's called traffic checks, and our instructors drive cars at us," said guide dog handler Jeanine Stanley.
But jumping in front of a bus is not one of the requirements.
"The plan is to get away from the bus if you possibly can -- a dog is protecting itself and the person it's guiding," Jones said.
"Not every West Point graduate does well under battle, and you don't know until battle happens. You don't know until the bus comes," said guide dog instructor Mark Briganti. "Figo is absolutely a hero."
The injured hero will require surgery on his severely damaged leg. Stone was also seriously injured, but could recover before Figo does – and even then, the trauma of what happened could impact the dog's ability to return to work.
"You can imagine where he could say, 'I'm not comfortable around vehicles anymore, and unable to guide because of that,'" Jones said.
If Figo's professional life is over, his duties will be assumed by a younger animal, and he will get a well-deserved retirement.
