Endal the support dog: Successor ‘simply as gifted’

When Navy veteran Allen Parton was seriously hurt in the Gulf War he lost all memory of his better half and kids in addition to his capability to feel feeling.

In the years that followed, his support dog Endal taught him to care once again, allowing him to reconnect with his family, and even saved his life when he was struck by a car.

Endal’s accomplishments were so exceptional he won many awards and motivated his owner to launch the charity Hounds for Heroes.

The story ended up being the topic of a book and a movie script is presently being settled.

Now, 14 years after Endal’s death, Mr Parton has a brand-new dog – ET, or Endal the Third – who he says is “every bit as gifted” as his predecessor.

The 18-month-old Labrador had “entered some really well-known paw prints,” said Mr Parton, now 63.

He said his very first dog entered his life by opportunity.

His better half, Sandra, worked for a help dog organisation and one day, when Mr Parton accompanied her to a puppy class, Endal, who was considered inappropriate to be a help dog, presented himself.

“He trotted throughout, chose something up by my wheelchair, put it into my lap and desired the difficult. He desired a response,” said Mr Parton.

But the puppy continued, bringing item after item, till the veteran did something he had actually refrained from doing for many years – he smiled.

At the time, Mr Parton was not able to speak and, in the years that followed, he and Endal found out to interact through indication language.

“He found out over a 1,000 commands with finalizing and, although I could not interact with my family, I might with Endal.”

Most significantly he assisted Mr Parton reconstruct his relationship with his better half and kids. The dog was even “finest guy” when Allen and Sandra re-married in 2002.

Now Mr Parton’s 3rd dog ET is continuing Endal’s unbelievable work.

He said: “If I fall unconscious in the bath, he can end out, keep my go out of the water, raise the alarm.

“In the grocery store, he can choose things off the rack, load the basket and discharge it at the checkout.

“He’s so sharp – there’s absolutely nothing Endal might do that this man could not.”

Mr Parton likewise has a lot of appreciation for his better half who stuck to him through the darkest of times, although he didn’t acknowledge her at all.

“Her like to me is something rather unique,” he said.

“She’s constantly offered me empathy, understanding and compassion.

“I’m the wealthiest guy worldwide. I’m with my better half, I’m with my kids. It could not be much better.”