Earle is a 9-year-old Labrador with exceptional skills. He’s a certified service dog from NEADS World Class Service Dogs.
Earle grew up in a unique environment compared to other puppies. When he was old enough to be away from his mother, he was taken to Moran Correctional Facility in Cranston, RI, where he lived with a non-violent inmate and learned essential skills such as crate training. Volunteers would visit the prison on weekends to take him out. When he was 6 and 8 months old, Earle was transferred to the NEADS campus in Princeton, MA. Earle spent a year at NEADS learning special skills before being matched with his companion, who had spinal cord injuries. They now live together, splitting their time between the U.S. and Ireland. They are an inseparable team!
The Angell at Essex team first met Earle a few months after the practice opened in Danvers in 2020, when he started coming to the clinic for yearly wellness checkups. In early 2024, Earle’s guardian, Christine, was concerned about his weight gain, thickening fur coat, increased shedding, drinking, and urination. These symptoms prompted General Medicine veterinarian, Dr. Heidi Broadley, to order laboratory testing. The initial tests indicated that hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid, was likely, but further examination was required.
After conducting the confirmatory test, it was determined that Earle had hypothyroidism. Shortly after starting thyroid supplementation, Christine reported that Earle was “a new dog.” He was drinking average amounts, was playful in a way that he had not been for a long time, and seemed to have lost weight. Christine could continue managing his thyroid disease between Angell at Essex and his vet in Ireland.
The adjustments in Earle’s treatment plan and consistent care made a significant difference and helped him lead a healthier life. The story of his triumphant return to health was a reminder that even the most challenging of circumstances can be overcome with love, dedication, and the proper support.
For more information about Angell at Essex, please visit angell.org/essex.
