Dog thrown from motel balcony gets new lease of life as veteran’s service dog

‘Miracle,’ who survived a terrifying fall from a second-floor balcony, is about to embark on a new adventure as a veteran’s service dog after months in foster care.

Last December, a video of a young German Shepherd being thrown off a balcony in Daytona Beach went viral, and now she’s back with good news: she’s been adopted and will soon begin her new life as a service dog for a military veteran.Following the incident, a judge ruled that previous owner Allison Murphy is unable to care for her and granted a petition to rehome the dog.Murphy is now facing criminal charges and is barred from owning animals for the next five years.

In December 2020, Volusia County law enforcement was called to a Daytona Beach motel after reports of a woman standing on a second-floor balcony and threatening to jump.Murphy picked up the dog and threw her over the railing instead when sheriffs arrived.The pup miraculously landed on her feet and ran away.She was apprehended by onlookers and taken to a local animal hospital for treatment.She escaped with no serious injuries, a feat that earned her the nickname ‘Miracle’.

Miracle has been in the care of foster parents since December.She still has a lot of love and support to give as a young registered service dog, and Animal Services has found her a new home with a military veteran in need of an assistance animal.Veterans can benefit greatly from service dogs, which can assist those with injuries and physical disabilities with tasks such as opening doors, operating switches, retrieving items, and barking for assistance.They also offer emotional and moral support to veterans suffering from service-related PTSD and other mental health issues.

“We’re gratified that working with our law enforcement partners, we were able to intervene and protect Miracle from any further harm,” Volusia County Animal Services Director Adam Leath said in a statement released by the county.
The collaboration between Animal Services and law enforcement throughout the county remains a true community partnership, providing assistance and resources for both our four-legged and two-legged companions.”