Molly and Susan Chow pet Gracie, a 10- week old puppy that will be trained as a service dog for Molly ( Tiffany Goodwein/ CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Little girl receives service dog

Oct 12, 2020 | 4:23 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB– A little girl received a special four-legged gift this Thanksgiving, one that will help her with her various needs, and give her parents some extra peace of mind.

Grasping the leash, little Molly Chow, who turns three this November, gracefully walked with Gracie, a 10-week old Golden Lab that will soon be her very own service dog.

“Our hope is that Gracie will be able to assist Molly just in keeping safe, she has a tendency to wander. She has been diagnosed with autism as well and it will help with communication and regulating herself,” Molly’s father David Chow, said.

The toddler’s tendency to wander turns into a very scary situation for the family.

“It’s terrifying unless we have eyes on her all the time, she will just walk away,” David Chow said.

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“We have alarms on doors, locks on doors, but with seven people in the house it is hard to keep doors locked all the time, but she’s quick and she’s quiet, and all of a sudden she will be there and she’s gone,” mom Susan Chow said.

READ MORE: Local family hopes service dog will address challenges young daughter faces

Gracie the service dog will live in the Chow’s home, where it will spend a year learning basic obedience. After a year of training is completed, the dog will then learn skills to help meet Molly’s needs.

“We aren’t expecting miracles we are just hoping for it to be some comfort for her, and for us to aid in keeping her safe,” Susan Chow said.

Gracie was revealed at the Cowboy Challenge Benefit at Midnight Trails, a fundraiser to help offset some of the costs of the service dog which is around $10,000.