Paralympic athletes sometimes need some extra help in their daily lives, they have different impairments and their four-legged friend, the service dog, makes things a whole lot easier. Service dogs are trained according to each athlete’s unique needs, they can help deaf athletes by alerting them of sounds such as alarms or incoming danger, and they also help guide athletes who are blind.
Some service dogs are trained to pull wheelchairs and even know how to properly react to a medical emergency and get help. Their jobs might be different, but one thing they have in common is giving emotional support to hard-working athletes.
Visually impaired Austrian athlete, Carina Edlinger, won two medals in the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing, she owed her success to a lot of people. During one of the medal ceremonies, as she was getting honored, she wanted to recognize someone in particular in front of everyone, Riley, her guide dog.
Riley has been helping Edlinger for a while now, she loves the 5 years old him so much and wanted to show some appreciation for his hard work. They managed to achieve so many things together, and he played a big part in that.
Riley watched in excitement as they brought the medals for her and Edlinger; she then jumped up to take a sniff in the hopes of finding something special for herself.
The 5 year old doggo has been by Edlinger’s side for quite a while now.
Here’s the full video of Edlinger receiving her gold medal with her guide dog Riley:
Gold medalist Carina Edlinger presents a prize to her guide dog Riley ?
Edlinger always makes sure to credit her dog whenever she gets the opportunity.
“Today is the international guide dog day ??
Yes i love my dog, he’s my best buddy and friend who always follow me along my way. He even came along to China where he completely stole everyone’s show? A dog can give so much and especially with our Paralympics Beijing 2022 experience he was more than just a dog for all of us.” she wrote on her Instagram.
She made sure to praise her “little black Ferrari” on international guide dog day.
“Living trapped in such a different and strange world not just me, a lot of us just were happy to have a pet around to stroke, be able to walk outside or just him spreading joy. He dry tears on a bad day and is there on the good ones as well and yea i guess we both need our cuddle times ? All I want to say, a guide dog is more than just a loving pet he’s my nr. one and even I can’t drive a car i have my little black Ferrari as my extended eyes ??”
Everyone fell in love with Riley and his reaction while receiving his medal on the Olympic podium. It was certainly more entertaining to watch Riley than all other human athletes combines.
Riley posed with the other athletes for photos afterward, celebrating his win. He was proud of what he was able to achieve with his mom and was glad they got to experience it together.
Guide dogs never get the credit they deserve; they help their humans in so many different ways and have incredible abilities that help them avoid obstacles and guide them in many ways.
