Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes, illustrated by Scott Magoon (Candlewick
Press, 2018, 32 pages, $12.14, ages 5 and up, kindergarten and up)
Did you notice that a girl named
Jessica is featured in the title and the book was written by someone also named
Jessica? What a coincidence, you think. But, after reading Jessica Kensky’s Rescue and Jessica, you will find out if
it truly is a coincidence.
Meet Rescue and. . . .
Rescue, a black lab pup, was
training to be a guide dog, the family business, when he was transferred into
the service dog training program instead – better suited for him, they said, but
quite a disappointment to the young pupster*.
At the same time, a young
girl was in the hospital waiting to have a leg amputated. Jessica meets a
service dog and decides to apply for one, a life-changing decision for her and
for her “service dog to be.”
Both pup and girl wonder at
the changes soon to come: would they succeed**?
Meet Rescue and Jessica here.
The answer to the ‘success’
question is a resounding YES! And Rescue thinks, “I’m so proud of us!”
Rescue is a very special
service dog and also an emotional support animal whose friendship with Jessica
is a true lesson in love. And Rescue is the best medicine.
Who is Jessica and Is Rescue a Real Dog?
Jessica is a former nurse
who was injured in the 2013 Boston Marathon, and, yes, Rescue is a real dog –
but not only a real dog. He is also a real service dog: Jessica’s real service
dog.
Rescue was also chosen
as the ASPCA
2017 Dog of the Year.
Notes from the Reviewer
I don’t know why I like this
book so much. But I do.
The illustrations are warm
and water-colored (I love the back cover – Rescue in his doghouse [Rescue HQ]
with crutches standing by),
some pages have one detailed large picture while
others have three, and the story alternates between Rescue’s story and
Jessica’s until they meet.
Perhaps most of all, because
this reviewer is also a dog trainer, the authors mention that Jessica makes
time each day to let Rescue be – just a dog. And they snuggle.
------------------------------
*What’s the difference
between a guide dog and a service dog? Besides the training and skills, a guide
dog walks in front of his person while a service dog walks beside his person."
**At graduation, NEADS, Rescue and Jessica’s service dog training
organization,
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