Dog Who Risked Life For Blind Owner Is Loyal Hero

<p>Unsplash / <a href="http://pixabay.com/en/dog-golden-retriever-canine-pet-690318/" target="_blank">Pixabay</a> (Public domain)</p>
<p>Unsplash / <a href="http://pixabay.com/en/dog-golden-retriever-canine-pet-690318/" target="_blank">Pixabay</a> (Public domain)</p>

A service dog in Brewster, New York, went beyond the call of duty when he selflessly put himself between his blind owner and the school bus hurtling her way.

According to the Lohud Journal News, the driver of the school bus that contained two kindergarteners did not see 62-year-old Audrey Stone crossing the street. Even though Stone and her companion, Figo, were in the designated crosswalk area, both were struck and injured by the driver, though not for the efforts of the loyal golden retriever.

"I don't know if (the driver) thought (Stone) was going to move faster, but it looks like the dog tried to take most of the hit for her," said witness Paul Schwartz.

Figo suffered a severe cut to his leg and Stone suffered multiple injuries including fractured ribs, a broken elbow, and a head wound. Even while receiving treatment after the accident, witnesses reported that Figo repeatedly attempted to get to his injured owner.

"There were 15 EMTs and people all around her, and the dog didn't want to leave her side," said Schwartz. "He was flopping all over to her and she didn't want him to get away from her, either. She kept screaming, 'Where's Figo? Where's Figo? Where's Figo?' We kept telling her he was fine."

The driver of the bus has been taken off duty during the investigation, and was administered drug and alcohol tests. The two kindergarteners on board were unharmed.

Both human and canine are expected to make a full recovery, though it is likely that Stone would not have survived were it not for the efforts of her loyal companion.