Kathy and Earl Lingo recently adopted a dog from the Pearl River County SPCA animal shelter to be trained as a service dog for Kathy Lingo.
Earl Lingo said his wife has been confined to a wheelchair because of chronic hip problems, preventing her from doing tasks around the house.
“We needed a dog that will not only keep her company at home when I am away, but also help pick up the house and keep Kathy safe,” Earl Lingo said.
Kathy Lingo said that she will train Yoshi how to pick items up that she drops, open doors, open the refrigerator and take clothes out of the dryer and put them into the laundry basket.
“I am excited to have Yoshi around. He has already been so sweet. My favorite part about him is his kindness,” Kathy Lingo said.
Earl Lingo said he adopted a dog about 25 years ago from the PRCSPCA, which is the reason they came back to the local animal shelter to find their next pet, Yoshi.
Yoshi is a year old pit bull, an uncommon breed for a service dog. However, Earl Lingo said Yoshi is the most compassionate and loving dog he has had and is perfect to help the family.
“He is a neat dog. When Kathy is away, me and him hang out and watch TV and every evening we take him out and let him run around the farm,” Earl Lingo said.
Because of Kathy Lingo’s condition, a service dog seemed like a perfect fit for the family.
The Picayune natives had a couple of concerns when getting a dog, but Yoshi stole their hearts and passed the ultimate test, Earl Lingo said.
“We wanted to make sure the dog was comfortable with the wheelchair. Most dogs are skittish around one but Yoshi didn’t seem to be bothered,” Earl Lingo said.
Four days after adopting Yoshi, Earl Lingo said they have grown to love him more each day.
From his floppy ears to his brown and white fur coat, Yoshi gives them a rejuvenated sense of life after being without a dog for a year, Earl Lingo said.
“He truly makes us really happy. He’s a nosy fella, especially when we go on walks, but he really seems to enjoy us and we enjoy him,” Earl Lingo said. “Yoshi is perfect.”