Dakota
Golden Retriever
Inducted November 2000
Owned by Michael Lingenfelter
Nominated by Dr. Harold Krug
Six years ago Dakota was found by representatives of the Greater Houston Golden Retriever Rescue Group, chained to a stake and near death from heartworm infestation and neglect. They rescued the dog and took it to a veterinarian for care. Dakota’s heart actually stopped beating temporarily before the dog was revived and started on a treatment program to clear him of the heartworms. In a remarkable story straight out of the movies, Dakota survived, became a highly trained therapy dog and went on to save the life of his current owner, heart attack victim Michael Lingenfelter.
After being taken in by the rescue group, Dakota was entered into a special training program for therapy dogs, before being donated to Michael Lingerfelter. At the time, five years ago, Michael Lingenfelter had given up on life. After two heart attacks and other major health problems, he couldn’t work, he couldn’t write his name, and he didn’t care.
But then, Dakota entered his life, performing therapy dog duties as part of Lingenfelter’s mental and physical rehabilitation. After just over a year, Dakota started saving Lingenfelter’s life. He developed the ability to detect when a certain enzyme is secreted by Lingenfelter’s body indicating an immenent heart attack. Dakota alerts Lingenfelter, reminding him to take his medication in time to avert major problems. Dakota has also alerted two of Lingenfelter’s co-workers, warning them of imminent heart problems.
Lingenfelter says Dakota’s enthusiasm, helpfulness, companionship, and ability to alert him to heart problems gave him the security and motivation to restart his career and become an active member of society again.
“Dakota gave me back my life,” Lingenfelter says. “I never thought angels came with brown eyes and a furry tail, but this one did.”
Dakota’s amazing story has already attracted the attention of national and international media and authors, and Hollywood movie producers have even contacted Lingenfelter expressing interest in the dog.
Dakota’s veterinarian, Dr. Harold Krug of Campbell Village Veterinary Clinic in Dallas, nominated the dog for the Hall and says, “I’ve been in practice for 30 years and have never seen a dog with Dakota’s obvious talents. He’s just a well-trained, laid-back, easy-going puppy dog, which makes him perfect for what he does. Dakota and Mike’s relationship is a dramatic example of the human-animal bond.”
In addition to Dakota, another one of the four inductees into the Texas Animal Hall of Fame in 2000 was rescued by the Greater Houston Golden Retriever Rescue Group. “Austin” is a search and rescue dog for the Austin Police Department who was inducted into the Hall’s professional category.
Cindy Moss, chairman of the rescue group, says: “We are very proud of the accomplishments of Dakota and Austin. They are exemplary representatives of the talent and temperament of the breed and are well deserving of the honor being bestowed on them. We hope this recognition will raise awareness of rescue, of the fact that simply because a dog has been discarded by its owners or picked up as a stray does not mean it has any less potential or is any less valuable than a puppy purchased from a breeder.”
