Cedar Falls, IA – At the University of Northern Iowa, a special duo is stealing the spotlight at football games.
Winnie, a purple-dyed golden retriever, serves as a service dog for Gabi Riessen, an elementary education major. Winnie plays a vital role during games by alerting Riessen, who has postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), when she’s about to faint.
Riessen, who transferred to UNI after struggling to join her previous school’s marching band due to her condition, found support from the Panther Marching Band Director, Justin Mertz. He welcomed Winnie into the band, allowing Riessen to participate fully.
Winnie is not only a loyal companion but also enjoys being petted by fans, contributing to a positive atmosphere within the band, which Riessen describes as supportive and friendly.
Source: iowapublicradio.org
