Sonoma Co. girl attends 1st fair thanks to service dog trained by inmates
SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. (KTVU) - A little girl is thankful for her new freedom thanks to a service dog trained by inmates at the North County Detention Facility.
According to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, Beth Wyatt says her daughter Evelyn has begged her to go to the fair for years but she's managed to avoid the outing. It's not because she didn't want Evelyn to miss out of the experience, but she knew all of the stimulation at the fair would lead to a meltdown for her daughter, who is diagnosed with Autism.
This year was different. Evelyn now has a service dog named Naboo who allowed her to successfully experience a day at the fair. “It was heartwarming to see her enjoy the fair like any other kid,” says Beth.
Evelyn has also been able to enjoy beach days and Target runs with her trusty friend Naboo by her side.
Wyatt learned her daughter was matched with Naboo who was trained in the Detention Division’s Service Dog Program at the North County Detention Facility.
Beth Wyatt who works as a park ranger for Sonoma County thought it was important to tell the inmates the impact they have made on her daughter's life by training Naboo.
Beth and Naboo went to visit the inmates to thank them in person.
According to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, one of the inmates said, “It is hard to let the dogs go after training them so long, but after hearing Evelyn’s story, I know it’s not about me, it’s about giving back.”