Jennifer Francis credits her steadfast four-legged companion with saving her life: her mental health assistance dog, Spirit.
She and Spirit are proof that the burden of mental illness can be made lighter with the help of a specially trained service dog.
Spirit is not just any working dog. Trained by Hamilton-based Encouraging Paws Service Dogs (encouragingpaws.com), she knows more than 50 commands that help keep Francis safe.
(Read more in the Toronto Star)