Courtney Kramme, a 19-year-old student at Lindenwood University, spoke at Southminister Presbyterian Church Tuesday about the benefits of service dogs for those suffering from physical or mental disabilities, as well as the differences between service animals and support animals.
One of the special guests that night was Xena, Kramme’s almost 2-year-old Great Pyrenees guide dog and seizure alert dog.
Kramme has known Xena since she was a puppy. The two began bonding while Zena was going through training to become a guide dog at Y.B.U.T.R.T. Guide Dogs.
Xena helps guide Kramme, who lost her vision as a result of side effects from a migraine medication she was taking. Xena is also trained to know when Kramme is having a seizure.
Xena, Kramme's 2-year-old guide dog, helps guide Kramme, who lost her vision as the result of side effects from a migraine medication. Xena is also trained to know when Kramme is having a seizure, another side effect of the migraine medication. Photo by Erin Achenbach.