Local Dog Wins Award For Helping Owner

Local Dog Wins Award For Helping Owner (Added: December 17, 2009)

It's an award given only to a very deserving animal. Wednesday, the Augusta Humane Society awarded a very luck pup at Lakeside High School. WJBF News Channel 6's Barclay Bishop reports. (more)

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It's an award given only to a very deserving animal. Wednesday, the Augusta Humane Society awarded a very luck pup at Lakeside High School. WJBF News Channel 6's Barclay Bishop reports.

By Barclay Bishop
Published: December 17, 2009

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Evans, GA -- It's her first year in school, but Bijou is already making an impression. Wednesday, she won the Casie Ritchhart Award, given out by the Augusta Humane Society.

Elizabeth Moretz Britt, Augusta Humane Society: "We would like to present now, your dog Bijou, this award."

Cassandra Gentry, Lakeside High School chemistry teacher: "When Bijou came into my life, it was like the whole world opened up again. My passion for my career is so much different now because of her. And, I really didn't know I had changed so much in my career."

Bijour is Cassandra Gentry's guide dog. She teaches Chemistry at Lakeside High. It's been 4 years since Cassandra was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a disease that has already taken part of her vision, but will eventually take it all.

Gentry: "She's incredibly deserving. She's already saved me from walking off a cliff. She stopped me in front of a moving car, that was going to hit me."

Dr. Jeff Carney, Lakeside High School principal: "He's like one of the family now."

Dr. Jeff Carney is the high school's principal.

Dr. Carney: "It's helped her tremendously. I think it's given her more confidence, even when it comes to speaking with the kids. And the improvement in her, before, even when she would go down the hallway, and the class change time with 1,700 kids. She'd have to stay against the wall and pretty much have to wait and let the kids get around her. With Bijou, she's right in there with them."

Bijou is more than just a dog, she's the eyes for an inspiring woman who has given more than a decade to teaching students. And although she doesn't know what the future holds, Gentry says she's sure of one thing, Bijou will be right there with her.

Gentry: "I really just focus on today, I can see today, and that's all that matters."

Cassandra says she wants to compete in a dualathalon and a triathalon. She will complete both in March and April. She's looking for sponsors and will donate all of the money given from sponsors to the organizatino that gave her Bijou, Leader Dogs For The Blind. To donate, you can email Cassandra directly at gentry@knology.net.