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Military brass, Norman mayor honor veterans center mascot

Norman Transcript - 8/11/2018

Aug. 11--Sarge once lived on the streets. Now he spends his days working with 300 veterans at the Norman Veterans Center. Not a bad gig for a canine just looking to get paid with a little food and a lot of love.

"He was an abandoned dog," said Jeannene Wade, Norman Veterans Center program administrator. "He was scared and he was covered with ticks, and Second Chance rescued him. Three times, he got adopted and was brought back. Dr. John Otto and Friends for Folks was his last chance."

The Friends for Folks inmate dog-training program pairs dogs who need rehabilitation with prisoners at Lexington and Mabel Basset, who in turn benefit from the unconditional love those dogs give them. Sarge was trained at Lexington by Bill Miller.

But sometimes, real love is about letting go. Miller loved Sarge, trained him and made him adoptable. Then, as part of his own restitution to society and himself, Miller gave Sarge back, sending him out into the world.

Sarge now loves people and is a comfort to veterans at the center where he works. Friday, those veterans gathered along with veterinarian Dr. John Otto, who help found the training programs at Lexington and Mabel Basset, and with several distinguished guests including Gen. Rita Aragon; Brig. Gen. Doug Elliott, executive director, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs; and Norman Mayor Lynne Miller to honor Sarge and announce a book in his honor.

Jacquie Posey and Debie Sharp sang "I'll Stand by You" and "God Bless America" during the ceremony.

Otto and his son, Payton, wrote a book about Sarge and Miller, "Sarge: The Veteran's Best Friend."

"We're here today to honor Sarge and to honor the inspired book," Wade said.

Illustrator Charlotte Sticklin was present, as was Viviana Tharp, RN, who works at the Veterans Center and takes Sarge home to live with her and his adopted doggy sister, Dolly.

When he first came to the center, Sarge lived there 24/7.

"Sarge was exhausted, and every shift gave Sarge snack and gifts and treats," Wade said.

Now he goes home with Tharp at night.

Miller thanked veterans for their service.

"John Otto is truly one of my heroes," she said. "Everything that he does is out of love. I'm glad that you are experiencing Sarge here."

Wade also introduced and thanked Second Chance Rescue Executive Director Cindy Adams and Steve Hearn, owner of Steve's All Breed Grooming, which provides grooming services for Sarge.

"It's amazing what Sarge gives," Aragon said. "He's working the floor right now. It's just great to be back here again. It's rare and exciting to see someone like Dr. Otto who has such compassion. Thank you for your service to our nation and may God bless the United States of America."

Wade said in addition to providing, first, Little Bit then Sarge as Veterans Center mascots and therapy dogs, Otto comes every Sunday to visit veterans, play bingo and bring blueberry muffins.

"We so much appreciate your sacrifice and service to our country," Otto said, speaking to veterans. "Sarge received the hero award from the Veterinary Association for his work that he does here."

Otto said the prison-based dog training program not only changes the lives of dogs, it changes the lives of prisoners, bringing love, hope and redemption to their lives.

"What they give is a part of themselves," Otto said of the prison trainers. "That's the beauty of the program. It's the gift that keeps on giving. It's a transformation."

Otto read the book to veterans and then signed copies for visitors and veterans who purchased copies. A portion of proceeds from Friday's book sales went to a nonprofit that helps veterans.

Documentaries about the prison dog training programs include "The Dogs of Lexington" and "Basset Tales," which are now available for viewing on YouTube. A third documentary, "Children of Hope," about the children of the incarcerated, is in the works.

Prisoners often want to reunite with children after working with the dogs, Otto said.

"The Veteran's Best Friend" is John and Payton Otto's second book. The first was "Marvin's Shining Star," which features another prison dog trainer. These books are used by school counselors working with children of the incarcerated.

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(c)2018 The Norman Transcript (Norman, Okla.)

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