Brynn Keenleyside (right) with her new companion dog, Maggie, whom she recently acquired from National Service Dogs.

Megan Dunn, Saugeen Shores Hub

When four-year-old Brynn Keenleyside talks about her new four-legged friend, a Golden Retriever named Maggie whom she acquired through National Service Dogs, her eyes light up in wonderment.

“She likes to roll over on her tummy and she likes to run around faster than anyone,” said Brynn enthusiastically at her lemonade stand in Southampton August 4 which raised over $300 in funds for the organization that matches service and companion dogs with those in need.

Brynn has been diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), a condition that exists when your body cannot accurately interpret and process sensory information, causing the everyday world to be overwhelming.

Brynn’s mother, Lorna Douglas said that the impact already has been remarkable. “Places are too loud,” Douglas said of her daughter’s symptoms. “[Maggie] has a calming effect.”

Douglas gave a recent example of a time when Brynn was is distress and Maggie was able to help. “Maggie came up to her and puts deep pressure on her and was licking her face.”

Two year-old Maggie was training to be a service dog but with four weeks remaining it was decided she was too affectionate and too easily distracted, which made her a better fit as a companion dog.

Douglas said that Maggie is helping Brynn make the most of her summer and walks Brynn to tennis lessons, music camp and even takes the S.S. Trolley with her. Maggie has a few middle names including “Buddy” and “Chantry” because of the family’s love of Southampton.

“We take her through the forest and she likes to go in the water. She’s the best and every time she wants to play with me,” said Brynn while she helped serve up a glass of lemonade.

Douglas said that Brynn qualified for both a companion dog and a service dog but the family leaned toward the companion dog because it would allow Brynn to interact with people in social situations. Companion dogs are not required to accompany their owners at school or camps.

“We wanted her to be more social and if she just had the dog she would just hang out with her dog, so this way she can have the dog before and after school, weekends and summer breaks and then when she's at school she's required to interact,” said Douglas.

She also noted that since Maggie came into their lives Brynn, who has trouble sleeping through the night, has had fewer restless sleeps with Maggie by her side.

Brynn said that she enjoys sleeping with Maggie even if she does snore a bit.

Through the National Service Dogs (NSD) organization Brynn and her family did not have to pay for Maggie, however with service dog training valued at $30,000, Brynn wanted to raise money to help so other people could also benefit.

The NSD does not receive government funding, and relies entirely on donations from the public, sponsors and fundraising events.

For more information on NSD or to donate, visit nsd.on.ca.