ATHOL — His life was devoted to service and his legacy continues to serve others.
Millhouse was a trained service dog who passed away from cancer in February. For 11 years, the part Border Collie and Alaskan husky was the companion of Tom Rich of Phillipston. Rich, who is profoundly deaf and uses a hearing aid, said donations continue to trickle in for a scholarship established in Millhouse’s name for the Worcester-based Canines for Disabled Kids program.
Last month, three students were awarded scholarships, according to Kristin Hartness, executive director of Canines for Disabled Kids. She said over $1,400 was donated. The recipients from California, Nevada and Alberta, Canada are between the ages of 8 and 16 and have autism. The criteria are that the child has been accepted by a service dog training program and is in the process of getting a dog, which can cost from $25,000 to $35,000, Hartness said.
Each family is responsible for raising a portion of the money, which is commonly around $15,000 or varies based on the specific training program. Scholarships are awarded twice a year, in January and June. “The more we raise, the more we can give out,” Hartness said. “We try to touch more than one family.”
Donations for the Millhouse scholarship came from all over the country, including Arizona, Maryland, and a majority from New England and Massachusetts. Tom, his wife Joanne, and Millhouse “touched and helped so many people in and outside of Massachusetts,” Hartness said. “Tom and Millhouse were able to take what they were doing in their partnership to help spread awareness and educate. I think it’s a wonderful gift. It’s a real memorial to Millhouse.”
In order to get a service dog, the child has to be under 18 and the dog must be “finished” (versus a puppy in training), having completed all of its training.
The cycle of a partnership starts with a training program with the dog and the child. Hartness said a service dog can be trained to do skills that would directly impact a child’s disability.
The dog reflects the joy of the partnership, she said. “You could see Millhouse loved working with Tom. Tom had the words but Millhouse had the other piece that made them a good team. He was a vibrant dog. You could tell he was with the right person. He was really a dog whose personality just radiated from him.”
For full details on scholarship requirements, visit www.caninesforkids.org, or call 978-422-5299. Donations referencing “Millhouse” can be made online or mailed to Canines for Disabled Kids, 65 James St., Suite 210, Worcester, MA 01603.