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Transcript: Liyanna and Atlas / Gage and Ace
Collar of Duty Kids
Descriptive Transcript
[Upbeat music plays, dog barks]
DESCRIPTION: In a park, a girl with long blonde hair hugs a red Labrador retriever. She wears a pink jacket and blue pants and uses a prosthetic leg.
NARRATOR: A service dog named Atlas helps a young girl to keep her balance.
DESCRIPTION: The dog, Atlas, stands in the open hatch of a car. The blonde-haired girl holds Atlas’s leash as they walk down a hallway. A photograph shows the blonde-haired girl lying in a hospital bed with Atlas sleeping beside her with his tongue out.
BLONDE-HAIRED GIRL: He snuggled with me. It made me feel better.
DESCRIPTION: The blonde-haired girl sits on a couch, and Atlas sniffs her hands.
BLONDE-HAIRED GIRL: Good boy!
[Whoosh]
DESCRIPTION: A woman with curly blonde hair holds two golden cross puppies. One of the puppies stands with their paws on the edge of a metal bathtub in a dog-washing station, peering over the side. The curly-haired woman sprays water on one of the puppies and dries them with a towel.
NARRATOR: Guide puppies in training get their first bath.
[Whoosh]
DESCRIPTION: In an indoor riding arena, a young teenager wearing a blue helmet and eyeglasses rides a white horse. A young red-haired man holds the lead and stands beside the horse’s head.
NARRATOR: And a service horse named Ace helps a boy to find his voice.
DESCRIPTION: The young teenager kisses the horse.
YOUNG TEENAGER: Say "hello," Ace.
[Horse neighs]
[Bright music plays, dog barks]
DESCRIPTION: In an animation, a dog runs with a ball in their mouth. A red vest appears on the dog, and the dog sits and watches a squirrel run past. The vest has a Collar of Duty badge on the front.
NARRATOR: When my vest is on duty calls. When kids and animals team up, the paws-abilities are endless. Collar of Duty Kids.
[Title] Collar of Duty Kids.
[Logo] Collar of Duty.
[Whoosh, slide whistle, upbeat music plays, Liyanna laughs]
DESCRIPTION: In her kitchen, the blonde-haired girl, Liyanna, follows a camera and jumps towards it. Atlas stands in the back of the car with an adult holding his leash.
NARRATOR: Meet Liyanna! An energetic little girl with a service dog named Atlas.
[Atlas pants]
DESCRIPTION: A black-haired man pets Atlas. In front of a small bookcase, Liyanna sits at a child-sized table. Atlas lies at the black-haired man’s feet.
LIYANNA: I'm Liyanna, and I'm six. Atlas is my service dog, and he's a good boy. Sometimes he's like loud and noisy and crazy and sometimes he's like calm and gentle.
[Whoosh, upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna stands in the park with the black-haired man, Atlas, and a woman with long, dark brown hair.
NARRATOR: Liyanna and Atlas live with their family in Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
DESCRIPTION: In their living room, Liyanna’s parents sit on the couch. The long-haired woman, Lujain, sits beside the black-haired man, Bryan.
LUJAIN: My name is Lujain. I'm Liyanna's mom.
BRYAN: And I'm Bryan. I'm Liyanna's father.
LUJAIN: Our daughter, Liyanna, is our oldest. Our second is Sophia, the wild child. She's four years old.
[Sophia giggles]
DESCRIPTION: Sophia has wavy brown hair and wears a pink sweater. She sits on the couch with Atlas. In the kitchen, Sophia stands with Atlas by her feet. Liyanna carries a camera on a selfie stick and films them.
LIYANNA: When we first got Atlas, Sophia was afraid of him, but then she started liking Atlas.
DESCRIPTION: In the kitchen, Annie, a woman with shoulder-length red hair, wears a purple shirt and a fringed scarf.
ANNIE: My name is Annie, I'm Liyanna's grandmother. Atlas is just like a puppy until he wears his red vest.
[Atlas barks]
DESCRIPTION: In the hatch of the car, Bryan puts the red vest on Atlas. In a foyer, Liyanna holds a bowl of ice cream and holds Atlas’s chin up. Liyanna wears a red vest, and Atlas sits in front of her.
NARRATOR: That is one cute service pup! Atlas is still learning the ropes, and Liyanna helps him practice his training every day.
[Atlas pants, kibble clatters]
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna pours kibble into a bowl, and Atlas sits watching her.
BRYAN: When she's feeding him, she'll tell him to wait.
LIYANNA: Wait, Atlas!
BRYAN: Until she gives him the command to go and eat.
[Munching]
DESCRIPTION: Atlas eats his kibble.
LIYANNA: Okay!
BRYAN: She teaches him how to lie down and jump up.
[Atlas munches]
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna watches Atlas eat.
LIYANNA: He sits on my lap when I say, "Atlas! Come flop." And then, he jumps on me, and he gives me a big hug. Atlas, flop!
[Liyanna giggles, upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna sits on the couch. Atlas stands on the couch with his front legs, and she hugs him.
LIYANNA: Good boy!
[Liyanna giggles]
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna sits on the couch, and Atlas sniffs her knees.
NARRATOR: Liyanna was born with a limb difference.
DESCRIPTION: In a photograph, Bryan holds Liyanna, as a baby, up in the air.
LUJAIN: When she was born, we had a night nurse come in, and she said it looks like there's one leg shorter than the other.
DESCRIPTION: In a hallway, Liyanna holds Atlas’s leash, and they walk together. They sit together in a chair, and Liyanna hugs Atlas.
NARRATOR: Even with her prosthetic leg extension, walking can be tricky sometimes. That's why Atlas is trained to help Liyanna keep her balance, prevent her from falling, and give her comfort when she needs it.
LIYANNA: Atlas helps when I'm feeling a little scared, then he starts to make me feel comfortable.
[Whoosh, pop, upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: Sunlight reflects off the glass of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. The Canadian flag and another flag flap in the wind in front of the building. Inside, Liyanna walks in the hallway, holding Atlas’ leash. Amy, a woman with long, dark brown hair, smiles and holds a prosthetic foot. She wears eyeglasses, a black blazer, and a white blouse.
NARRATOR: Today, Liyanna has arrived at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital to meet with Amy and begin the process of creating a new prosthetic leg, which will better match her growing body. A prosthetic she lovingly calls "Leggy."
LIYANNA: Leggy is a prosthetic leg. It helps me walk because I have a short leg.
DESCRIPTION: In an examination room, Liyanna sits on a bed, facing Amy and a blonde-haired woman with a laptop on her lap. Nearby, Bryan sits on a chair with Atlas lying on the floor beneath it.
AMY: Is it time to make a new Leggy? You think that's a good plan?
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna nods.
AMY: Okay, so you remember Alex, our physio?
DESCRIPTION: The blonde-haired woman, Alex, and Liyanna nod.
AMY: So, she is going to start and see how strong you are, and then we're going to take a cast for a new Leggy.
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna takes off Leggy. In an interview, Amy sits in an examination room. In the other examination room, Liyanna lies on her back on the bed, and Amy holds Liyanna’s leg up.
AMY: Liyanna was born with, what we call, a limb difference and specifically a congenital short femur, so Liyanna just uses a prosthetic device that allow her limbs to be the same length and depending on growth, kids usually require a new device about once a year.
[Atlas snores]
DESCRIPTION: Atlas sleeps by Bryan’s feet.
NARRATOR: Atlas has picked a good time to catch up on some Z's while Liyanna and Amy talk shop.
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna sits on the bed next to Sophia and Bryan, facing Amy.
AMY: Liyanna, who's sitting next to you?
LIYANNA: Sophia.
AMY: Sophia? And is Sophia your sister?
LIYANNA: Yeah!
AMY: We're gonna take a cast of Liyanna's leg, so we can make her a new Leggy.
DESCRIPTION: Amy pulls a long sock up to Liyanna’s thigh. She soaks a strip of pink casting tape in a bowl of water and then wraps it around Liyanna’s leg.
AMY: So, the first thing we're gonna do is we're gonna put this sock on your leg. So, this is just what we call casting tape and after we soak that in the water, we're gonna start wrapping your foot. And Liyanna, you can grab the top part for me, make sure that's nice and smooth.
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna wears gloves and smooths the top part of the cast.
AMY: Do you wanna help? You can grab the top part, too. Good job, girls. Okay! Hands up.
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna and Sophia both raise their hands.
AMY: And now that your gloves are sticky, don't touch your clothes and don't touch Atlas because he'll stick to your gloves.
[Atlas whines]
DESCRIPTION: On the floor, Atlas looks up towards Liyanna and Sophia.
AMY: After we use the tool to cut the pink fibreglass cast tape, the scissors cut the sock that we put on, and then we'll open that up.
[Cast rustles]
DESCRIPTION: Amy cuts the cast with a knife-like tool, then opens it.
AMY: We'll get Liyanna out.
LIYANNA: I see a leg!
DESCRIPTION: Amy pulls the cast off Liyanna’s leg.
AMY: Free! And there you go. That's the cast of your foot. Does it look okay?
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna looks at the cast and smiles.
AMY: Thanks for the help.
[Hands slap]
DESCRIPTION: Sophia and Liyanna high-five Amy. Bryan pets Atlas, and Atlas licks Sophia’s face.
NARRATOR: Atlas is truly a one-of-a-kind service dog, but if it wasn't for Liyanna's dad's determination, they may not have ever found him.
DESCRIPTION: In the living room, Lujain and Bryan sit together. A photograph shows Liyanna and Bryan making faces. A photograph shows Liyanna, as a toddler, posing with Atlas. In another picture, she sits at a classroom table with Atlas beside her.
BRYAN: For Liyanna's sake, I thought, well, what better way to support her both physically and emotionally by having a service dog. What I found was Liyanna wouldn't be eligible for a service dog because she's just too young, and I just said, "You know what? I'm gonna get my own dog, and I'm gonna find a way to train a dog to be Liyanna's service dog." I got a couple of school names and I told them the story about what I want to do with Atlas and they said, "Hey! Have you tried reaching out to this lady named Jackie? She runs a charity called Partners with Paws. She might be able to help you."
DESCRIPTION: In the living room, Bryan sits on the couch and laughs as he rubs Atlas’s ears. Jackie has long, shoulder-length brown hair, wears a black vest with the Partners with Paws logo, and a red shirt. A photograph shows Liyanna on an airplane with Atlas lying on the floor in front of her seat. In a video clip, Atlas plays fetch in a hallway. On the couch, Atlas licks Bryan’s ear.
JACKIE: I am Jacqueline Gori from Partners with Paws. I'm executive director. The charity trains psychiatric service dogs for people with psychiatric disabilities. I met Atlas when he was four months old. Cutest puppy in the world, and we started training with him. He excelled at being out in public. He was confident, he was brave, and that's what made him such a good service dog candidate.
DESCRIPTION: In front of a red backdrop, Liyanna poses with Atlas. A second photograph shows Liyanna, Atlas, and Bryan wearing graduation mortarboard hats.
BRYAN: Fast-forward a year and a half later, Atlas did his public access assessments, and he passed with flying colours, and he was able to be there for Liyanna for her first surgery in July.
DESCRIPTION: A photograph in a hospital hallway shows Liyanna in a wheelchair with Atlas on a leash beside her. A person pushes the wheelchair and a wheeled patient monitor. In another photo, Liyanna rests in the wheelchair with Atlas sitting on the floor beside her.
NARRATOR: Atlas's most important role as a service animal is not just a physical one.
[Light music plays]
JACKIE: Atlas is trained to go to the hospital with her, give her confidence, give her the courage to go through the medical appointments that she has to go through.
LIYANNA: When I was at the hospital, I was scared.
DESCRIPTION: In a photograph in the hospital, Liyanna lies in a bed, and Atlas lies on the recliner beside the bed. In another photo, Liyanna lies in her hospital bed, giving a thumbs-up, with Atlas sleeping beside her.
BRYAN: There are non-physical tasks that Atlas helps Liyanna with. The biggest one is the deep pressure therapy, so after a surgery, Atlas lies on top of her.
LUJAIN: Kind of like her own personal weighted blanket.
BRYAN: Exactly.
LUJAIN: It's a physical reminder that you are not alone, and I think that that must feel like the world to her.
DESCRIPTION: The photograph of Liyanna lying in a hospital bed with Atlas, who has his tongue out, appears.
LIYANNA: When I went to the hospital, and I had surgery, when I was scared, my dog, Atlas, he came on the bed, and he snuggled with me. It made me feel better.
DESCRIPTION: In video footage, Liyanna lies in a hospital bed, petting Atlas.
ANNIE: I think that it made her less fearful. I believe, to my eyes, she looked more relaxed.
[Upbeat music plays, background chatter]
DESCRIPTION: On a sidewalk, Liyanna, Bryan, Sophia, and Lujain walk together. Bryan holds Atlas’s leash. A woman with curly brown hair walks towards them.
NARRATOR: It wasn't long before the whole neighbourhood started noticing the effect Atlas was having.
BROWN-HAIRED WOMAN: Hi!
BRYAN: Wanna say hi?
DESCRIPTION: The brown-haired woman, Reesee, hugs Liyanna. She picks up Liyanna and Sophia. In the park, Liyanna runs to a play structure and then slides down a slide.
REESEE: I'm Reesee. I babysit Liyanna and Sophia. I often see Liyanna and Atlas walking when I'm in the neighbourhood, and it's good to see that she's able to walk properly, and going on the slides and stuff.
BRYAN: Say, "Bye, Reesee."
DESCRIPTION: On the sidewalk, everyone waves at Reesee as they walk away.
LIYANNA: Bye-bye!
[Whoosh]
DESCRIPTION: At a pool, children’s swim gear hangs on the wall. A mural on the wall features an otter wearing swim goggles and holding a trophy. Text above the otter reads, “I’m a safe and confident swimmer.”
NARRATOR: Thanks to Atlas, Liyanna has gained the confidence to learn how to swim. Today, she's arrived at Aqua-Tots for her next lesson.
DESCRIPTION: In an observation area, Liyanna leans on Atlas as she undoes the straps on Leggy.
LIYANNA: Atlas, stay. I like to go swimming.
DESCRIPTION: On the deck, Liyanna walks past the window to the observation area. In the observation area, Bryan sits in a chair with Atlas sitting between his legs, and Sophia plays with a doll at a nearby table.
NARRATOR: Thanks to Atlas, Liyanna has gained the confidence to learn how to swim. Now, that is the look of a confident super swimmer. Show us what you can do, Liyanna.
[Water splashes]
DESCRIPTION: In the living room, Lujain and Bryan sit together. At the pool, Liyanna jumps into the water.
LUJAIN: Loves, loves, loves swimming. She is in Level Five. She's swimming independently.
[Water gurgles]
DESCRIPTION: In the pool, Liyanna wears swim goggles and swims underwater. An instructor with short black hair stands behind her in the water, wearing a wetsuit.
NARRATOR: Atlas looks on proudly. He must be impressed with how strong a swimmer Liyanna has become.
DESCRIPTION: In the pool, Liyanna does the backstroke. In the living room, Lujain and Bryan sit together.
LUJAIN: Floats on her back, does all of the moves that they teach her.
[Water splashes]
DESCRIPTION: In the pool, the instructor walks backwards behind Liyanna’s head as she does the backstroke.
INSTRUCTOR: Big kicks! Big kicks! Big kicks! Big kicks! Very good.
DESCRIPTION: In the living room, Lujain and Bryan sit together.
LUJAIN: We always get really positive feedback from the swim instructor. She's determined to do all of the things that she wants to do.
[Water splashes]
DESCRIPTION: At the pool, Liyanna jumps into the water. She swims underwater and then does the front crawl. In the observation area, her dad smiles and waves.
NARRATOR: While Liyanna looks as comfortable in the pool as a fish in the sea, she's ready for a new sport that her dad happens to love as well.
[Whoosh, Upbeat music continues, background chatter]
DESCRIPTION: Outside of an arena, Bryan parks a white car by the door. He opens the back hatch of the car and fastens the red vest on Atlas.
NARRATOR: Ice skating requires some serious balance, and this might be Liyanna's biggest challenge yet as she arrives at Shield Hockey Arena with her family, Atlas is right there to help her get her stakes on and give her the support she needs.
BRYAN: Okay, let's go. Who's going to go skating?
LIYANNA AND SOPHIA: Me!
BRYAN: Who's gonna go fast?
LIYANNA AND SOPHIA: Me!
BRYAN: All right, let's go.
DESCRIPTION: In the living room, Lujain and Bryan sit together.
BRYAN: I think she can do it. It might not be today, it might not be tomorrow, and that's okay.
LUJAIN: And it might not be perfect, but.
BRYAN: Yeah, she might skate a little bit differently, but she'll still skate.
DESCRIPTION: In a change room, Liyanna holds Atlas and fastens Leggy. Bryan holds a skate as Liyanna slips her foot in.
NARRATOR: In the change room, Atlas gets into a sturdy stance to help Liyanna balance herself as she puts on Leggy and, with the help of her father, starts to strap on her skates.
BRYAN: Put your foot in.
DESCRIPTION: Bryan zips up Liyanna’s coat.
NARRATOR: Now that she's all set to go, there's only one thing left to do.
[Whoosh, upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: At the rink, Bryan lifts Liyanna over a small barrier by the ice.
BRYAN: So now we're going to go skating a little bit and I'm gonna go behind you to make sure you don't fall, okay?
BRYAN: Okay, so hold on to the chair.
[Chair scrapes]
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna holds the back of a chair.
NARRATOR: Dad has brought a chair that Liyanna can lean on to help her keep her balance.
[Chair scrapes]
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna holds the chair and skates forward as Bryan slides the chair forward.
BRYAN: Now, I'm gonna slowly move the chair. There you go. You're doing so good.
DESCRIPTION: At a table beside the ice, Lujain lifts Atlas onto a chair. Sophia climbs into another chair at the table.
NARRATOR: Atlas, Liyanna's mom, and sister watch on from the side of the ice.
BRYAN: Want to wave to Atlas?
[Sophia knocks]
DESCRIPTION: Sophia knocks on the plexiglass on the side of the rink and waves to Liyanna. Liyanna waves back at Sophia, Atlas, and Lujain.
LIYANNA: Hi, boy! Hi!
BRYAN: You want to try it without the chair and come skate to me? Ready?
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna lets go of the chair and slowly skates to Bryan.
BRYAN: Let's go! You're doing it! You're doing it! You're doing it! You're doing it. Yes! Amazing!
DESCRIPTION: Bryan lifts Liyanna.
LIYANNA: Wee!
SOMEONE CHEERS: Yeah!
DESCRIPTION: Lujain stands with her arms around Atlas as the dog watches Liyanna through the plexiglass.
NARRATOR: Well, there you have it, Dad. Liyanna is skating all on her own. Atlas couldn't look more proud.
[Bryan claps]
BRYAN: Amazing! That's awesome, Liyanna.
DESCRIPTION: Bryan puts Liyanna in the chair.
NARRATOR: Now, it's time for a little fun.
BRYAN: Hold on tight.
DESCRIPTION: Bryan pushes the chair across the ice quickly. Liyanna holds onto the back and smiles.
NARRATOR: As Dad pushes Liyanna around on the chair. Hey! Slow down, Dad. Or not.
[Liyanna squeals, giggles]
DESCRIPTION: Bryan slowly spins the chair. In the living room, Lujain and Bryan sit together.
BRYAN: Since Atlas has become Liyanna's service dog, I've notice significant changes in Liyanna. One of them being is her confidence, and I am so thankful that Jackie picked up the phone that day that I called her.
DESCRIPTION: In the schoolyard, Liyanna sits on the grass and hugs Atlas. In a photograph, Liyanna, smiling, wears a seatbelt in the backseat of a car, with Atlas lying his head on her lap. At home, Liyanna sits on the couch and feeds Atlas a treat.
JACKIE: Atlas and Liyanna have the most amazing bond. He dotes on her. He wants to work for her. He wants to be out with her in public, and Atlas will be right there being proud with her that he is her service dog.
[Whoosh, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Aerial video footage shows the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides training facility. Inside, the curly-haired woman carries two brushes and towels into a room.
NARRATOR: At the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides training facility, it's puppy bathtime with nursery care attendant Emily.
DESCRIPTION: The curly-haired woman, Emily, picks up the two puppies and carries them down a hallway. She holds them in front of the dog-washing station, and the puppies lean against each other.
EMILY: Eloise and Eeyore are having their first bath today, which is really exciting. They're brother and sister, and they're eight-week-old lab-golden cross puppies.
DESCRIPTION: Emily puts both puppies into the bathtub, and they explore. She opens a tin of dog food and smears some on a lick mat. Emily attaches the lick mat to the metal back wall of the dog-washing station.
EMILY: We'll just pop them into the bathtub here together. To make the bath a positive experience for them, we like to give them some little treats. So, we have our yummy canned food here to put onto our lick mat. We like to hang it up on the wall here, and so then they lick it up on the wall.
[Emily laughs]
DESCRIPTION: A puppy licks and chews the lick mat. Emily gently sprays water on a puppy’s back.
EMILY: Start the water nice and slow for them, and then we kind of slowly go over their backs here, and we always want to double-check that our temperature is nice and warm for them.
DESCRIPTION: Emily squeezes shampoo onto Eloise’s back and then brushes foam off her back.
EMILY: And then we've just started to put some shampoo onto her, and so then we just run the brush over her, and you can see that we're getting lots of bubbles, which means that she's getting nice and clean. We'll scrub her up and then do the same to her brother.
DESCRIPTION: Emily squeezes shampoo onto Eeyore. He sits as she brushes him and rubs the side of his face.
EMILY: Good boy. Give him a good scrub, and he's getting nice and clean.
DESCRIPTION: Emily sprays Eeyore.
NARRATOR: After a quick rinse, it's time to dry these puppies off.
DESCRIPTION: Emily wraps a towel around Eloise, then picks her up and dries her.
EMILY: So, we're just gonna get them wrapped up into some towels now, so we're just wrapping Miss Eloise first and then pick her up and start to give her a good dry.
DESCRIPTION: Emily holds both the puppies.
NARRATOR: First baths can be scary for puppies, but Eloise and Eeyore put on a brave face and did great.
DESCRIPTION: Emily holds the puppies. Eloise and Eeyore lean against each other with half-closed eyes.
EMILY: Eloise and Eeyore are nice and clean and fluffy now, and they're gonna go take a really good nap because bathtime is tiring.
[Emily chuckles, whoosh, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: In a hallway, the young teenager wearing the riding helmet, Gage, holds a camera on a selfie stick.
NARRATOR: Meet Gage.
DESCRIPTION: In front of a brick wall in a room, Gage, a teenager with Down syndrome, has short red hair. He wears a red hooded sweater over a red shirt. Behind him, a painting of two butterflies with long antennae is displayed.
GAGE: My name is Gage. I am thirteen years old.
DESCRIPTION: In a stable, Gage wears the riding helmet. Outside on the ice, Gage wears a touque, a green winter jacket, and red mittens. Beside him, a short-haired man wears a brown ball cap with sunglasses on the visor. He wears a blue-and-grey plaid jacket and holds an ice fishing rod.
NARRATOR: Gage loves ice fishing.
DESCRIPTION: They pull a fish up through a hole in the ice.
GAGE: We caught him!
SHORT-HAIRED MAN: Look at him!
DESCRIPTION: On a snowy hill, Gage holds an instructor’s hands as he slides forward. In a kitchen, Gage pours an ingredient into a bowl.
NARRATOR: Snowboarding, cooking.
DESCRIPTION: In the kitchen, Gage holds a red apple. A smiling woman with short grey hair peels a yellow apple beside him. Gage spoons crumble on top of sliced apples.
GAGE: Today we're gonna make apple crisp.
[Background grinding noise]
DESCRIPTION: In his bedroom, Gage holds a sign with a picture of a horse that reads, “Memories are made on ridin’ days.” He lifts a pillow off his bed that features a white horse with their mane blowing. In a stall, a tan horse stands with a purple blanket over their back.
NARRATOR: And just about everything to do with horses. Especially one horse in particular named Ace.
[Upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: Gage holds a camera and films himself standing in front of Ace’s stall.
GAGE: So, this is Ace, everyone. Say hello, Ace.
DESCRIPTION: Gage, a brown-haired woman, the red-haired young man, and the short-haired man hug in a snow-covered, fenced paddock. Everyone wears a grey touque. Gage wears sunglasses. Horses wear blankets as they walk in a paddock.
[Highway Sign Text Reads] London. Population four hundred and twenty-three thousand.
NARRATOR: Gage and his family live in London, Ontario. With a population of over 400,000, these sprawling rural communities outside downtown London are perfect for farm animals and horses.
SHANA: I'm Gage's mom, Shana.
DESCRIPTION: In the paddock, the brown-haired woman, who is Shana and the short-haired man, who is Dave, stand with the red-haired young man between them. Gage hugs Dave’s side.
DAVE: I'm Gage's dad, Dave.
GAGE: Maxie is our family dog.
DESCRIPTION: In their home, Maxie, a black Labrador retriever, wags their tail.
SHANA: Maxie, sit!
[Dog barks]
DESCRIPTION: Maxie sits. In the room with the brick wall, Gage gestures at the red-haired young man.
GAGE: This is my brother, Carter.
CARTER: My name is Carter, and my little brother is Gage.
DESCRIPTION: Gage hugs the red-haired young man, Carter, and Carter smiles.
GAGE: We're like best friends.
[Light music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Gage opens his bedroom door. He gestures at a drawing of Ace on the wall. He picks up a medal hanging on a lanyard on a plaque on his wall.
GAGE: This is my bedroom. This is a picture of Ace. This is my medal for Special Olympics.
DESCRIPTION: A collage on the wall features pictures of Gage as a young child and with his family. Gage holds a pillow in a pillowcase featuring people riding horses. He picks up a tan horse figurine with grey legs.
NARRATOR: Gage was born with Down syndrome, which can make speech challenging and can also cause low muscle tone, but at the age of four, when Gage met a special pony, he was able to overcome these challenges.
[Upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: In video footage, four-year-old Gage rides a white pony. In the living room, Shana and Dave sit together. A photograph shows Carter, a child, hugging Gage, a toddler.
SHANA: Children with Down syndrome are generally delayed in their speech, so Carter actually started working on sign language with him.
DESCRIPTION: In the room with the brick wall, Gage and Carter sit together.
GAGE: He taught me sign language.
DESCRIPTION: A childhood photo features Gage dressed as a fireman.
DAVE: We thought that would help because he wasn't talking.
[Whoosh, upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: In the snowy paddock, the family stands together.
NARRATOR: Sign language was a really helpful tool as Gage's parents explored ways to help Gage find his voice.
[Horse nickers]
DESCRIPTION: In a paddock, a brown horse with a white blaze walks away from hay. In a photograph, younger Gage poses with the white pony, Toby.
NARRATOR: But on the day Gage was introduced to a therapy pony named Toby at SARI Therapeutic Horse Riding, he became the chatty boy he is today.
[Text On Sign Reads] Changing lives stride by side. www.Sari.ca. Bowling for ponies March 2. Registration open at Sari.ca.
[Dogs bark, cat meows]
DESCRIPTION: A photograph shows Gage holding Toby’s bridle. At a ranch, horses stand in snow-covered paddocks. A cast iron sign featuring two horse heads reads, “Welcome.” Three dogs walk on a floor, and a cat walks on a beam in the rafters of a barn. In one of the paddocks, a dappled grey horse gallops.
NARRATOR: Now that Toby is retired, he's moved to a new home where he lives will all sorts of dogs, barn cats, and other horses.
DESCRIPTION: In the barn, Gage walks to a stall with a woman with short grey hair.
NARRATOR: Today, Gage has shown up at the ranch to visit his old pal.
SHORT-HAIRED WOMAN: Hi, Toby!
GAGE: Hey, Tobe!
[Toby neighs]
DESCRIPTION: Toby pushes his nose out through an opening in the stall.
NARRATOR: Now, that's a way to welcome an old friend.
GAGE: Toby's the very first horse I rode.
DESCRIPTION: Gage and the short-haired woman stand with Toby, who nuzzles both excitedly.
SHORT-HAIRED WOMAN: He looks pretty good, doesn't he? Nice and white and fluffy.
GAGE: Yeah, he does!
DESCRIPTION: The short-haired woman, Sue, stands in front of stalls.
SUE: My name is Sue Brown.
DESCRIPTION: Sue and Gage brush Toby.
NARRATOR: Sue is Gage and Toby's therapeutic riding instructor, and she still likes to catch up with them on their visits together on the ranch.
SUE: Give him a nice brush. Toby loves brushes.
[Toby snorts]
SUE: Toby has Cushing's disease. It gives him lots of furry hair, but it also affects their eyesight, so now he's almost totally blind.
[Toby snorts]
DESCRIPTION: Gage brushes Toby between his eyes.
NARRATOR: Cushing's disease is when a horse's brain is sending too many messages, and the horse's body gets out of balance.
SUE: He's 32 years old.
GAGE: He's like a little old man.
SUE: Yes, he's like a little old man. That's right.
DESCRIPTION: Gage hugs Toby.
SUE: Aw, Toby loves hugs. That's a lovely hug.
[Toby neighs]
DESCRIPTION: Gage brushes Toby, and hugs him again.
SHANA: Benefits from therapeutic horse riding is generally thought to be physical. The benefits that we saw for most was his speech.
[Toby neighs]
DESCRIPTION: In the barn, Toby stands between Gage and Sue.
SUE: Were you nervous of Toby when you first got on?
GAGE: A little bit, but he's a great guy to be with.
DESCRIPTION: In an arena, a black-and-white cat jumps over a wall.
SUE: Do you want to take him into the arena now and walk him around?
GAGE: Sure!
DESCRIPTION: Gage leads Toby into the arena. The cat lies on top of a wall.
SUE: Okay, in you go, Toby. So, we just walk him around, and what do you say when you ask him to walk on and trot?
DESCRIPTION: Gage holds Toby’s lead and runs in front of him.
GAGE: Trot!
DESCRIPTION: In the living room, Shana and Dave sit together.
SHANA: Giving that little boost at SARI has transferred into what he's doing at school.
DESCRIPTION: In the kitchen, Gage mixes ingredients in the bowl. He pours liquid over the sliced apples in the pan.
DAVE: He's really taking an interest in food preparation.
[School bell rings]
[Sign Text Reads] Montessori Academy of London.
DESCRIPTION: In the school kitchen, Gage wears a chef’s hat and chops a cucumber. Nearby containers hold figs, large croutons, and pumpkin seeds.
NARRATOR: At his school, Gage now helps out as a lunch coordinator. He really gets into his role. Even wearing a chef's hat as he chops and prepares food for the other students.
DESCRIPTION: In a school library, Mandy, a woman with long, straight blonde hair, wears a white quilted sweater. Five students meet around a table with a black-haired adult. One of the students types on a laptop computer.
MANDY: I'm Mandy Denomy and I'm a teacher with Gage. As a lunch coordinator, Gage will have meetings with a bunch of his peers, and they decide on the menu. He will also do all of the cooking and prepping and everything for his peers.
DESCRIPTION: In the kitchen, Gage writes on a clipboard.
NARRATOR: Those peers look hungry. What's on the menu for today, Gage?
DESCRIPTION: Gage has a pan of baked ziti and a bowl of salad on an island in front of him.
GAGE: Lunch today is baked ziti and salad, and cooking up banana and pommes frites.
[Background chatter]
DESCRIPTION: Gage spins his pen, attached to the clipboard by a string, in circles, and the students smile and laugh.
NARRATOR: That ziti looks delicious. Toby really did help Gage speak up, which in turn helped Gage make new friends.
[Gage laughs]
DESCRIPTION: In the school kitchen, Aubrey sits at a table. She has long, wavy blonde hair, wears eyeglasses, and wears a mustard yellow shirt. In the kitchen, Gage grinds pepper into a bowl, and Aubrey pours the batter into a frying pan. A photo features Gage and Aubrey posing together as children.
AUBREY: I'm Aubrey. Gage is one of my best friends. He's super outgoing.
DESCRIPTION: In the kitchen, Gage writes on the clipboard.
GAGE: Me and Sarah goes out for the first date.
[Students laugh, background chatter]
DESCRIPTION: At the table, the students sit and laugh. The student with the laptop, Sebastian, has short, curly black hair and wears a green-grey sweater. Gage sits at the table with the others.
SEBASTIAN: My name is Sebastian. Gage is my friend. He doesn't let anything get in his way.
[Whoosh, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: At SARI horse ranch, snow covers the paddocks and fields. A sign inside a building features a painting of a brown horse’s head, and the text reads, “S.A.R.I. A bit of magic.” A photograph shows Gage looking up at a white horse.
NARRATOR: Gage first met Toby at a therapy horse ranch called SARI. When he outgrew Toby, the ranch introduced him to a new friend. A pony named Ace.
[Ace nickers]
DESCRIPTION: In a stall, Ace wears a purple blanket. In a photograph, Gage, as a young child, hugs three women in an office. One has brown hair, one has long, straight blonde hair, and the last woman has her brown hair in a ponytail.
NARRATOR: And with this newfound friendship also came a new instructor.
DESCRIPTION: In the indoor riding arena, the straight-haired woman from the photograph, Kathryn, wears eyeglasses, a grey SARI touque and a black SARI vest over a black long-sleeved sweater.
KATHRYN: My name is Kathryn Matheson, and I am an instructor here at SARI Therapeutic Riding. I've been teaching Gage for about five years.
[Background Carter chats]
DESCRIPTION: In a tack room, Carter leads Ace towards a saddle, and Gage attaches the lead to a ring on a post. Gage places a saddle blanket on Ace’s back, and Carter puts on the saddle. They put the bridle on Ace, and Gage leans against him.
NARRATOR: One of the skills Gage learned from Kathryn was how to prep a horse for riding. Attaching his saddle, reins for steering, and other riding equipment known at the tack. Today, with the help of his brother, Carter, Gage is getting Ace ready to ride for a training session.
GAGE: Ace is ready to ride. Huh, buddy?
[Ace whinnies]
DESCRIPTION: In the room with the brick wall, Gage and Carter sit together.
GAGE: My best friend forever is Ace. He has a big heart, that horse.
DESCRIPTION: At SARI, Kathryn stands at the open door to the indoor riding arena.
KATHRYN: You guys ready to ride?
GAGE: Yep!
KATHRYN: Okay, let's go. All right, we're bringing Ace into the block now so that Gage can get on.
DESCRIPTION: Gage stands on a wooden crate and mounts Ace.
KATHRYN: Swing that leg over. When you're ready, say "Walk on."
GAGE: Walk on, bud.
DESCRIPTION: Carter leads Ace away from the block.
KATHRYN: Perfect! And Carter's got the lead.
DESCRIPTION: Gage waves.
NARRATOR: That was an impressive mount.
NARRATOR: Gage has gained a lot of strength since working with Ace.
[Gage speaks in the background]
DESCRIPTION: In the living room, Shana and Dave sit together. In the arena, Gage rides Ace.
SHANA: Children with Down syndrome typically have low tone in their tone. Therapeutic horse riding can be very good for them to build that core strength.
DESCRIPTION: In the arena, Kathryn walks to Ace and Gage.
KATHRYN: How about we practice some steering now, Gage?
DESCRIPTION: In the arena, Kathryn stands by a wall for an interview.
KATHRYN: Gage has made incredible progress with Ace.
DESCRIPTION: Gage holds Ace’s reins.
KATHRYN: We're going to weave through the pylons, okay?
DESCRIPTION: In the arena, Kathryn stands by a wall for an interview.
KATHRYN: He's been doing things like steering independently.
DESCRIPTION: Carter holds Ace’s lead as Gage steers, holding the reins. They turn at the end of the arena.
KATHRYN: Turn right in front of that pole and head straight for basketball.
DESCRIPTION: Ace stops by a toy basketball net, and Kathryn gives Gage a ball.
NARRATOR: Basketball on a horse? Now that sounds challenging.
KATHRYN: Ready?
DESCRIPTION: Gage throws the ball just short of the net.
KATHRYN: Oh! This close.
DESCRIPTION: Kathryn picks up the ball.
NARRATOR: Nice try, Gage. I'm sure with a little more practice, you'll get it.
KATHRYN: Can we give Ace a nice pat to say thank you?
DESCRIPTION: Gage pets Ace’s neck and hugs him.
GAGE: Good job, bud.
KATHRYN: Good job! We need to make sure he knows how special he is, right?
GAGE: Yeah, always is.
KATHRYN: Good job today!
DESCRIPTION: Gage and Kathryn high-five.
GAGE: You too!
KATHRYN: Thank you! Great job.
[Whoosh]
DESCRIPTION: In front of the school, Gage walks to the open back of a white van with two men wearing grey touques.
NARRATOR: Back at his school, Gage isn't just using his muscles to help out in the kitchen.
[Jim, Gage, and Sean laugh]
DESCRIPTION: In the room with the brick wall, Gage and Carter sit together. In the van, Jim, Gage, and Sean sit on the edge of the back, and Gage pulls the men back. Jim wears a black jacket, grey gloves and black jeans. Gage wears a white helmet over an orange hat, an orange coat, and blue jeans. Sean wears a grey-and-black jacket and blue jeans.
GAGE: Sean and Jim are the maintenance guys at school, and I like to work for them.
[Jim, Gage, and Sean laugh]
DESCRIPTION: Gage hugs Jim and Sean. Later, Sean stands between a fence and the school.
SEAN: My name is Sean Post. I'm the service and maintenance associate for Montessori Academy of Learning.
DESCRIPTION: Sean holds a bucket of road salt.
SEAN: So, we're gonna clear out the school sidewalk of snow and ice.
SEAN: Away you go, sir.
[Shovel scrapes]
DESCRIPTION: Gage shovels the sidewalk beside the school.
JIM: There we go! Get the muscle going! Nice! There we go!
DESCRIPTION: Gage shovels, and Jim walks behind him, spreading handfuls of salt from a bucket.
SEAN: Yeah!
JIM: Good job!
DESCRIPTION: Gage shovels a wider path, and Jim spreads salt behind him. Gage fist bumps Jim and Sean. He gives Jim his helmet and hugs Sean by the van.
NARRATOR: Sean and Jim are lucky to have a strong kid like Gage to help them out. But as Gage has gotten bigger and stronger, much like with Toby, he's outgrown his pony Ace.
[Ace whinnies]
DESCRIPTION: At SARI, Ace wears the purple blanket in his stall. Kathryn stands in the indoor riding arena. In a photograph, Gage gazes at Ace.
KATHRYN: Gage is definitely getting too big for Ace. We love the bond that they have built, but we have decided that Gage will be moving on to a bigger, taller horse. And that horse is the mighty Samson.
[Samson whinnies]
DESCRIPTION: Carter opens the arena door and leads Samson, a Palomino, inside.
KATHRYN: Hi, buddy.
GAGE: What's up, man? He looks like Ace.
KATHRYN: He's fluffy like Ace, but he's a lot bigger because you're a lot bigger.
[Tense music plays, Samson whinnies]
NARRATOR: Samson is definitely a much bigger horse, measuring in at a full hand taller than Ace.
KATHRYN: Are you ready to try your new horse?
DESCRIPTION: Carter and Gage lead Samson around the arena.
GAGE: Yeah.
DESCRIPTION: In the room with the brick wall, Gage and Carter sit together. At SARI, Ace eats hay from a feeder.
GAGE: I was pretty nervous and a little bit sad that I'm moving from Ace. But he will still be there.
[Light music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Gage wipes his eye.
CARTER: Gage was quite off guard when he first found out. Ace is the horse he's ridden for the longest period of time.
DESCRIPTION: Video footage shows Carter holding Ace’s lead as Gage rides, holding the reins. In the present, Samson stands beside the block.
KATHRYN: You ready to get on your pony?
GAGE: Yes.
KATHRYN: Horse. Not a pony.
DESCRIPTION: Kathryn stands beside Gage as he puts his foot in the stirrup and swings onto Samson’s saddle.
KATHRYN: Now, we're gonna put our foot in the stirrup, and we're gonna have a big swing because now we're on a taller horse. Good swing! Good job! That was excellent. High-five.
[Upbeat music plays, Shana cheers, applause]
DESCRIPTION: Gage high-fives Kathryn, and she gives him the reins. In a viewing area, Dave waves, and Shana claps.
NARRATOR: Wow! Gage made that look easy. His parents watch proudly and cheer him on.
[Samson whinnies]
KATHRYN: Ready to go on Samson?
GAGE: Walk on, big buddy!
DESCRIPTION: Carter holds the lead and looks back at Gage as Samson walks forward.
KATHRYN: Good job. We're gonna try our new skills on Samson today, okay? So, when we go over these poles, we're gonna be working on our two-point.
DESCRIPTION: Samson walks towards a pole on the ground. In an interview, Kathryn stands at the side of the arena.
KATHRYN: Two-point encourages the rider to move their centre of gravity forward, and they must balance with their feet.
NARRATOR: Not only is Samson a new horse for Gage, but trying two-point unassisted by instructor Kathryn is also a whole new move for Gage.
DESCRIPTION: Gage stands in the stirrups and leans forward, looking over Samson’s ears, as Samson walks over the poles.
KATHRYN: Standing up. Look between his ears. Good. Use strong leg muscles. Good job! And back up, sitting tall. Very good.
DESCRIPTION: In the interview, Kathryn stands by the basketball hoop.
KATHRYN: That was awesome! I hope that Gage can grow with Samson and help him develop some more skills.
DESCRIPTION: Kathryn stands by the hoop, holding the ball.
KATHRYN: Are you ready to try basketball?
GAGE: Yeah.
KATHRYN: Yeah? Okay.
[Dramatic music plays]
DESCRIPTION: She gives the ball to Gage.
[Gage speaks]
DESCRIPTION: Gage scores in the net.
KATHRYN: Yeah! He shoots, he scores!
[Applause, Shana cheers, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Gage raises his arms victoriously. In the viewing room, his parents clap. Shana points and bounces.
NARRATOR: Always his cheerleaders, his parents watch proudly.
KATHRYN: Why don't you give Samson a big pat?
DESCRIPTION: Gage smiles and hugs Samson’s neck.
GAGE: Yes, good job.
DESCRIPTION: Carter leads Samson across the arena. Gage leans forward and does the two-point.
NARRATOR: This looks to be the beginning of a beautiful friendship between Gage and Samson, with many new lessons to come.
[Whoosh, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: At school, Gage carries the covered pan of ziti up a staircase. In a flashback, Gage kisses Ace and leans against him.
SHANA: Now that Gage is in junior high, he takes care of carrying food from level to level. Big trays. And there are three levels of stairs. I think that the core strength and the leg strength that he has gained from horse riding is definitely benefiting him.
[Horse neighs]
[Title] Collar of Duty Kids.
[Whoosh, upbeat music plays]
[End Credits] Directed and Produced by Laura Lillie. Featuring Liyanna and Atlas, Gage and Ace. Narrator: Craig Smith. Executive Producers: Laura Lillie, Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Original Theme Music Joel Silver. Copyright 2025 Purple Panda Productions Incorporated. All rights reserved.
DESCRIPTION: The Purple Panda Productions Incorporated logo includes a photo of a child and a German Shepherd.
[Logo] S.M.I. Summerhill Media Incorporated.
[Logo] Produced in association with A.M.I.
Descriptive Transcript
[Upbeat music plays, dog barks]
DESCRIPTION: In a park, a girl with long blonde hair hugs a red Labrador retriever. She wears a pink jacket and blue pants and uses a prosthetic leg.
NARRATOR: A service dog named Atlas helps a young girl to keep her balance.
DESCRIPTION: The dog, Atlas, stands in the open hatch of a car. The blonde-haired girl holds Atlas’s leash as they walk down a hallway. A photograph shows the blonde-haired girl lying in a hospital bed with Atlas sleeping beside her with his tongue out.
BLONDE-HAIRED GIRL: He snuggled with me. It made me feel better.
DESCRIPTION: The blonde-haired girl sits on a couch, and Atlas sniffs her hands.
BLONDE-HAIRED GIRL: Good boy!
[Whoosh]
DESCRIPTION: A woman with curly blonde hair holds two golden cross puppies. One of the puppies stands with their paws on the edge of a metal bathtub in a dog-washing station, peering over the side. The curly-haired woman sprays water on one of the puppies and dries them with a towel.
NARRATOR: Guide puppies in training get their first bath.
[Whoosh]
DESCRIPTION: In an indoor riding arena, a young teenager wearing a blue helmet and eyeglasses rides a white horse. A young red-haired man holds the lead and stands beside the horse’s head.
NARRATOR: And a service horse named Ace helps a boy to find his voice.
DESCRIPTION: The young teenager kisses the horse.
YOUNG TEENAGER: Say "hello," Ace.
[Horse neighs]
[Bright music plays, dog barks]
DESCRIPTION: In an animation, a dog runs with a ball in their mouth. A red vest appears on the dog, and the dog sits and watches a squirrel run past. The vest has a Collar of Duty badge on the front.
NARRATOR: When my vest is on duty calls. When kids and animals team up, the paws-abilities are endless. Collar of Duty Kids.
[Title] Collar of Duty Kids.
[Logo] Collar of Duty.
[Whoosh, slide whistle, upbeat music plays, Liyanna laughs]
DESCRIPTION: In her kitchen, the blonde-haired girl, Liyanna, follows a camera and jumps towards it. Atlas stands in the back of the car with an adult holding his leash.
NARRATOR: Meet Liyanna! An energetic little girl with a service dog named Atlas.
[Atlas pants]
DESCRIPTION: A black-haired man pets Atlas. In front of a small bookcase, Liyanna sits at a child-sized table. Atlas lies at the black-haired man’s feet.
LIYANNA: I'm Liyanna, and I'm six. Atlas is my service dog, and he's a good boy. Sometimes he's like loud and noisy and crazy and sometimes he's like calm and gentle.
[Whoosh, upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna stands in the park with the black-haired man, Atlas, and a woman with long, dark brown hair.
NARRATOR: Liyanna and Atlas live with their family in Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
DESCRIPTION: In their living room, Liyanna’s parents sit on the couch. The long-haired woman, Lujain, sits beside the black-haired man, Bryan.
LUJAIN: My name is Lujain. I'm Liyanna's mom.
BRYAN: And I'm Bryan. I'm Liyanna's father.
LUJAIN: Our daughter, Liyanna, is our oldest. Our second is Sophia, the wild child. She's four years old.
[Sophia giggles]
DESCRIPTION: Sophia has wavy brown hair and wears a pink sweater. She sits on the couch with Atlas. In the kitchen, Sophia stands with Atlas by her feet. Liyanna carries a camera on a selfie stick and films them.
LIYANNA: When we first got Atlas, Sophia was afraid of him, but then she started liking Atlas.
DESCRIPTION: In the kitchen, Annie, a woman with shoulder-length red hair, wears a purple shirt and a fringed scarf.
ANNIE: My name is Annie, I'm Liyanna's grandmother. Atlas is just like a puppy until he wears his red vest.
[Atlas barks]
DESCRIPTION: In the hatch of the car, Bryan puts the red vest on Atlas. In a foyer, Liyanna holds a bowl of ice cream and holds Atlas’s chin up. Liyanna wears a red vest, and Atlas sits in front of her.
NARRATOR: That is one cute service pup! Atlas is still learning the ropes, and Liyanna helps him practice his training every day.
[Atlas pants, kibble clatters]
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna pours kibble into a bowl, and Atlas sits watching her.
BRYAN: When she's feeding him, she'll tell him to wait.
LIYANNA: Wait, Atlas!
BRYAN: Until she gives him the command to go and eat.
[Munching]
DESCRIPTION: Atlas eats his kibble.
LIYANNA: Okay!
BRYAN: She teaches him how to lie down and jump up.
[Atlas munches]
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna watches Atlas eat.
LIYANNA: He sits on my lap when I say, "Atlas! Come flop." And then, he jumps on me, and he gives me a big hug. Atlas, flop!
[Liyanna giggles, upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna sits on the couch. Atlas stands on the couch with his front legs, and she hugs him.
LIYANNA: Good boy!
[Liyanna giggles]
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna sits on the couch, and Atlas sniffs her knees.
NARRATOR: Liyanna was born with a limb difference.
DESCRIPTION: In a photograph, Bryan holds Liyanna, as a baby, up in the air.
LUJAIN: When she was born, we had a night nurse come in, and she said it looks like there's one leg shorter than the other.
DESCRIPTION: In a hallway, Liyanna holds Atlas’s leash, and they walk together. They sit together in a chair, and Liyanna hugs Atlas.
NARRATOR: Even with her prosthetic leg extension, walking can be tricky sometimes. That's why Atlas is trained to help Liyanna keep her balance, prevent her from falling, and give her comfort when she needs it.
LIYANNA: Atlas helps when I'm feeling a little scared, then he starts to make me feel comfortable.
[Whoosh, pop, upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: Sunlight reflects off the glass of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. The Canadian flag and another flag flap in the wind in front of the building. Inside, Liyanna walks in the hallway, holding Atlas’ leash. Amy, a woman with long, dark brown hair, smiles and holds a prosthetic foot. She wears eyeglasses, a black blazer, and a white blouse.
NARRATOR: Today, Liyanna has arrived at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital to meet with Amy and begin the process of creating a new prosthetic leg, which will better match her growing body. A prosthetic she lovingly calls "Leggy."
LIYANNA: Leggy is a prosthetic leg. It helps me walk because I have a short leg.
DESCRIPTION: In an examination room, Liyanna sits on a bed, facing Amy and a blonde-haired woman with a laptop on her lap. Nearby, Bryan sits on a chair with Atlas lying on the floor beneath it.
AMY: Is it time to make a new Leggy? You think that's a good plan?
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna nods.
AMY: Okay, so you remember Alex, our physio?
DESCRIPTION: The blonde-haired woman, Alex, and Liyanna nod.
AMY: So, she is going to start and see how strong you are, and then we're going to take a cast for a new Leggy.
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna takes off Leggy. In an interview, Amy sits in an examination room. In the other examination room, Liyanna lies on her back on the bed, and Amy holds Liyanna’s leg up.
AMY: Liyanna was born with, what we call, a limb difference and specifically a congenital short femur, so Liyanna just uses a prosthetic device that allow her limbs to be the same length and depending on growth, kids usually require a new device about once a year.
[Atlas snores]
DESCRIPTION: Atlas sleeps by Bryan’s feet.
NARRATOR: Atlas has picked a good time to catch up on some Z's while Liyanna and Amy talk shop.
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna sits on the bed next to Sophia and Bryan, facing Amy.
AMY: Liyanna, who's sitting next to you?
LIYANNA: Sophia.
AMY: Sophia? And is Sophia your sister?
LIYANNA: Yeah!
AMY: We're gonna take a cast of Liyanna's leg, so we can make her a new Leggy.
DESCRIPTION: Amy pulls a long sock up to Liyanna’s thigh. She soaks a strip of pink casting tape in a bowl of water and then wraps it around Liyanna’s leg.
AMY: So, the first thing we're gonna do is we're gonna put this sock on your leg. So, this is just what we call casting tape and after we soak that in the water, we're gonna start wrapping your foot. And Liyanna, you can grab the top part for me, make sure that's nice and smooth.
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna wears gloves and smooths the top part of the cast.
AMY: Do you wanna help? You can grab the top part, too. Good job, girls. Okay! Hands up.
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna and Sophia both raise their hands.
AMY: And now that your gloves are sticky, don't touch your clothes and don't touch Atlas because he'll stick to your gloves.
[Atlas whines]
DESCRIPTION: On the floor, Atlas looks up towards Liyanna and Sophia.
AMY: After we use the tool to cut the pink fibreglass cast tape, the scissors cut the sock that we put on, and then we'll open that up.
[Cast rustles]
DESCRIPTION: Amy cuts the cast with a knife-like tool, then opens it.
AMY: We'll get Liyanna out.
LIYANNA: I see a leg!
DESCRIPTION: Amy pulls the cast off Liyanna’s leg.
AMY: Free! And there you go. That's the cast of your foot. Does it look okay?
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna looks at the cast and smiles.
AMY: Thanks for the help.
[Hands slap]
DESCRIPTION: Sophia and Liyanna high-five Amy. Bryan pets Atlas, and Atlas licks Sophia’s face.
NARRATOR: Atlas is truly a one-of-a-kind service dog, but if it wasn't for Liyanna's dad's determination, they may not have ever found him.
DESCRIPTION: In the living room, Lujain and Bryan sit together. A photograph shows Liyanna and Bryan making faces. A photograph shows Liyanna, as a toddler, posing with Atlas. In another picture, she sits at a classroom table with Atlas beside her.
BRYAN: For Liyanna's sake, I thought, well, what better way to support her both physically and emotionally by having a service dog. What I found was Liyanna wouldn't be eligible for a service dog because she's just too young, and I just said, "You know what? I'm gonna get my own dog, and I'm gonna find a way to train a dog to be Liyanna's service dog." I got a couple of school names and I told them the story about what I want to do with Atlas and they said, "Hey! Have you tried reaching out to this lady named Jackie? She runs a charity called Partners with Paws. She might be able to help you."
DESCRIPTION: In the living room, Bryan sits on the couch and laughs as he rubs Atlas’s ears. Jackie has long, shoulder-length brown hair, wears a black vest with the Partners with Paws logo, and a red shirt. A photograph shows Liyanna on an airplane with Atlas lying on the floor in front of her seat. In a video clip, Atlas plays fetch in a hallway. On the couch, Atlas licks Bryan’s ear.
JACKIE: I am Jacqueline Gori from Partners with Paws. I'm executive director. The charity trains psychiatric service dogs for people with psychiatric disabilities. I met Atlas when he was four months old. Cutest puppy in the world, and we started training with him. He excelled at being out in public. He was confident, he was brave, and that's what made him such a good service dog candidate.
DESCRIPTION: In front of a red backdrop, Liyanna poses with Atlas. A second photograph shows Liyanna, Atlas, and Bryan wearing graduation mortarboard hats.
BRYAN: Fast-forward a year and a half later, Atlas did his public access assessments, and he passed with flying colours, and he was able to be there for Liyanna for her first surgery in July.
DESCRIPTION: A photograph in a hospital hallway shows Liyanna in a wheelchair with Atlas on a leash beside her. A person pushes the wheelchair and a wheeled patient monitor. In another photo, Liyanna rests in the wheelchair with Atlas sitting on the floor beside her.
NARRATOR: Atlas's most important role as a service animal is not just a physical one.
[Light music plays]
JACKIE: Atlas is trained to go to the hospital with her, give her confidence, give her the courage to go through the medical appointments that she has to go through.
LIYANNA: When I was at the hospital, I was scared.
DESCRIPTION: In a photograph in the hospital, Liyanna lies in a bed, and Atlas lies on the recliner beside the bed. In another photo, Liyanna lies in her hospital bed, giving a thumbs-up, with Atlas sleeping beside her.
BRYAN: There are non-physical tasks that Atlas helps Liyanna with. The biggest one is the deep pressure therapy, so after a surgery, Atlas lies on top of her.
LUJAIN: Kind of like her own personal weighted blanket.
BRYAN: Exactly.
LUJAIN: It's a physical reminder that you are not alone, and I think that that must feel like the world to her.
DESCRIPTION: The photograph of Liyanna lying in a hospital bed with Atlas, who has his tongue out, appears.
LIYANNA: When I went to the hospital, and I had surgery, when I was scared, my dog, Atlas, he came on the bed, and he snuggled with me. It made me feel better.
DESCRIPTION: In video footage, Liyanna lies in a hospital bed, petting Atlas.
ANNIE: I think that it made her less fearful. I believe, to my eyes, she looked more relaxed.
[Upbeat music plays, background chatter]
DESCRIPTION: On a sidewalk, Liyanna, Bryan, Sophia, and Lujain walk together. Bryan holds Atlas’s leash. A woman with curly brown hair walks towards them.
NARRATOR: It wasn't long before the whole neighbourhood started noticing the effect Atlas was having.
BROWN-HAIRED WOMAN: Hi!
BRYAN: Wanna say hi?
DESCRIPTION: The brown-haired woman, Reesee, hugs Liyanna. She picks up Liyanna and Sophia. In the park, Liyanna runs to a play structure and then slides down a slide.
REESEE: I'm Reesee. I babysit Liyanna and Sophia. I often see Liyanna and Atlas walking when I'm in the neighbourhood, and it's good to see that she's able to walk properly, and going on the slides and stuff.
BRYAN: Say, "Bye, Reesee."
DESCRIPTION: On the sidewalk, everyone waves at Reesee as they walk away.
LIYANNA: Bye-bye!
[Whoosh]
DESCRIPTION: At a pool, children’s swim gear hangs on the wall. A mural on the wall features an otter wearing swim goggles and holding a trophy. Text above the otter reads, “I’m a safe and confident swimmer.”
NARRATOR: Thanks to Atlas, Liyanna has gained the confidence to learn how to swim. Today, she's arrived at Aqua-Tots for her next lesson.
DESCRIPTION: In an observation area, Liyanna leans on Atlas as she undoes the straps on Leggy.
LIYANNA: Atlas, stay. I like to go swimming.
DESCRIPTION: On the deck, Liyanna walks past the window to the observation area. In the observation area, Bryan sits in a chair with Atlas sitting between his legs, and Sophia plays with a doll at a nearby table.
NARRATOR: Thanks to Atlas, Liyanna has gained the confidence to learn how to swim. Now, that is the look of a confident super swimmer. Show us what you can do, Liyanna.
[Water splashes]
DESCRIPTION: In the living room, Lujain and Bryan sit together. At the pool, Liyanna jumps into the water.
LUJAIN: Loves, loves, loves swimming. She is in Level Five. She's swimming independently.
[Water gurgles]
DESCRIPTION: In the pool, Liyanna wears swim goggles and swims underwater. An instructor with short black hair stands behind her in the water, wearing a wetsuit.
NARRATOR: Atlas looks on proudly. He must be impressed with how strong a swimmer Liyanna has become.
DESCRIPTION: In the pool, Liyanna does the backstroke. In the living room, Lujain and Bryan sit together.
LUJAIN: Floats on her back, does all of the moves that they teach her.
[Water splashes]
DESCRIPTION: In the pool, the instructor walks backwards behind Liyanna’s head as she does the backstroke.
INSTRUCTOR: Big kicks! Big kicks! Big kicks! Big kicks! Very good.
DESCRIPTION: In the living room, Lujain and Bryan sit together.
LUJAIN: We always get really positive feedback from the swim instructor. She's determined to do all of the things that she wants to do.
[Water splashes]
DESCRIPTION: At the pool, Liyanna jumps into the water. She swims underwater and then does the front crawl. In the observation area, her dad smiles and waves.
NARRATOR: While Liyanna looks as comfortable in the pool as a fish in the sea, she's ready for a new sport that her dad happens to love as well.
[Whoosh, Upbeat music continues, background chatter]
DESCRIPTION: Outside of an arena, Bryan parks a white car by the door. He opens the back hatch of the car and fastens the red vest on Atlas.
NARRATOR: Ice skating requires some serious balance, and this might be Liyanna's biggest challenge yet as she arrives at Shield Hockey Arena with her family, Atlas is right there to help her get her stakes on and give her the support she needs.
BRYAN: Okay, let's go. Who's going to go skating?
LIYANNA AND SOPHIA: Me!
BRYAN: Who's gonna go fast?
LIYANNA AND SOPHIA: Me!
BRYAN: All right, let's go.
DESCRIPTION: In the living room, Lujain and Bryan sit together.
BRYAN: I think she can do it. It might not be today, it might not be tomorrow, and that's okay.
LUJAIN: And it might not be perfect, but.
BRYAN: Yeah, she might skate a little bit differently, but she'll still skate.
DESCRIPTION: In a change room, Liyanna holds Atlas and fastens Leggy. Bryan holds a skate as Liyanna slips her foot in.
NARRATOR: In the change room, Atlas gets into a sturdy stance to help Liyanna balance herself as she puts on Leggy and, with the help of her father, starts to strap on her skates.
BRYAN: Put your foot in.
DESCRIPTION: Bryan zips up Liyanna’s coat.
NARRATOR: Now that she's all set to go, there's only one thing left to do.
[Whoosh, upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: At the rink, Bryan lifts Liyanna over a small barrier by the ice.
BRYAN: So now we're going to go skating a little bit and I'm gonna go behind you to make sure you don't fall, okay?
BRYAN: Okay, so hold on to the chair.
[Chair scrapes]
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna holds the back of a chair.
NARRATOR: Dad has brought a chair that Liyanna can lean on to help her keep her balance.
[Chair scrapes]
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna holds the chair and skates forward as Bryan slides the chair forward.
BRYAN: Now, I'm gonna slowly move the chair. There you go. You're doing so good.
DESCRIPTION: At a table beside the ice, Lujain lifts Atlas onto a chair. Sophia climbs into another chair at the table.
NARRATOR: Atlas, Liyanna's mom, and sister watch on from the side of the ice.
BRYAN: Want to wave to Atlas?
[Sophia knocks]
DESCRIPTION: Sophia knocks on the plexiglass on the side of the rink and waves to Liyanna. Liyanna waves back at Sophia, Atlas, and Lujain.
LIYANNA: Hi, boy! Hi!
BRYAN: You want to try it without the chair and come skate to me? Ready?
DESCRIPTION: Liyanna lets go of the chair and slowly skates to Bryan.
BRYAN: Let's go! You're doing it! You're doing it! You're doing it! You're doing it. Yes! Amazing!
DESCRIPTION: Bryan lifts Liyanna.
LIYANNA: Wee!
SOMEONE CHEERS: Yeah!
DESCRIPTION: Lujain stands with her arms around Atlas as the dog watches Liyanna through the plexiglass.
NARRATOR: Well, there you have it, Dad. Liyanna is skating all on her own. Atlas couldn't look more proud.
[Bryan claps]
BRYAN: Amazing! That's awesome, Liyanna.
DESCRIPTION: Bryan puts Liyanna in the chair.
NARRATOR: Now, it's time for a little fun.
BRYAN: Hold on tight.
DESCRIPTION: Bryan pushes the chair across the ice quickly. Liyanna holds onto the back and smiles.
NARRATOR: As Dad pushes Liyanna around on the chair. Hey! Slow down, Dad. Or not.
[Liyanna squeals, giggles]
DESCRIPTION: Bryan slowly spins the chair. In the living room, Lujain and Bryan sit together.
BRYAN: Since Atlas has become Liyanna's service dog, I've notice significant changes in Liyanna. One of them being is her confidence, and I am so thankful that Jackie picked up the phone that day that I called her.
DESCRIPTION: In the schoolyard, Liyanna sits on the grass and hugs Atlas. In a photograph, Liyanna, smiling, wears a seatbelt in the backseat of a car, with Atlas lying his head on her lap. At home, Liyanna sits on the couch and feeds Atlas a treat.
JACKIE: Atlas and Liyanna have the most amazing bond. He dotes on her. He wants to work for her. He wants to be out with her in public, and Atlas will be right there being proud with her that he is her service dog.
[Whoosh, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Aerial video footage shows the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides training facility. Inside, the curly-haired woman carries two brushes and towels into a room.
NARRATOR: At the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides training facility, it's puppy bathtime with nursery care attendant Emily.
DESCRIPTION: The curly-haired woman, Emily, picks up the two puppies and carries them down a hallway. She holds them in front of the dog-washing station, and the puppies lean against each other.
EMILY: Eloise and Eeyore are having their first bath today, which is really exciting. They're brother and sister, and they're eight-week-old lab-golden cross puppies.
DESCRIPTION: Emily puts both puppies into the bathtub, and they explore. She opens a tin of dog food and smears some on a lick mat. Emily attaches the lick mat to the metal back wall of the dog-washing station.
EMILY: We'll just pop them into the bathtub here together. To make the bath a positive experience for them, we like to give them some little treats. So, we have our yummy canned food here to put onto our lick mat. We like to hang it up on the wall here, and so then they lick it up on the wall.
[Emily laughs]
DESCRIPTION: A puppy licks and chews the lick mat. Emily gently sprays water on a puppy’s back.
EMILY: Start the water nice and slow for them, and then we kind of slowly go over their backs here, and we always want to double-check that our temperature is nice and warm for them.
DESCRIPTION: Emily squeezes shampoo onto Eloise’s back and then brushes foam off her back.
EMILY: And then we've just started to put some shampoo onto her, and so then we just run the brush over her, and you can see that we're getting lots of bubbles, which means that she's getting nice and clean. We'll scrub her up and then do the same to her brother.
DESCRIPTION: Emily squeezes shampoo onto Eeyore. He sits as she brushes him and rubs the side of his face.
EMILY: Good boy. Give him a good scrub, and he's getting nice and clean.
DESCRIPTION: Emily sprays Eeyore.
NARRATOR: After a quick rinse, it's time to dry these puppies off.
DESCRIPTION: Emily wraps a towel around Eloise, then picks her up and dries her.
EMILY: So, we're just gonna get them wrapped up into some towels now, so we're just wrapping Miss Eloise first and then pick her up and start to give her a good dry.
DESCRIPTION: Emily holds both the puppies.
NARRATOR: First baths can be scary for puppies, but Eloise and Eeyore put on a brave face and did great.
DESCRIPTION: Emily holds the puppies. Eloise and Eeyore lean against each other with half-closed eyes.
EMILY: Eloise and Eeyore are nice and clean and fluffy now, and they're gonna go take a really good nap because bathtime is tiring.
[Emily chuckles, whoosh, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: In a hallway, the young teenager wearing the riding helmet, Gage, holds a camera on a selfie stick.
NARRATOR: Meet Gage.
DESCRIPTION: In front of a brick wall in a room, Gage, a teenager with Down syndrome, has short red hair. He wears a red hooded sweater over a red shirt. Behind him, a painting of two butterflies with long antennae is displayed.
GAGE: My name is Gage. I am thirteen years old.
DESCRIPTION: In a stable, Gage wears the riding helmet. Outside on the ice, Gage wears a touque, a green winter jacket, and red mittens. Beside him, a short-haired man wears a brown ball cap with sunglasses on the visor. He wears a blue-and-grey plaid jacket and holds an ice fishing rod.
NARRATOR: Gage loves ice fishing.
DESCRIPTION: They pull a fish up through a hole in the ice.
GAGE: We caught him!
SHORT-HAIRED MAN: Look at him!
DESCRIPTION: On a snowy hill, Gage holds an instructor’s hands as he slides forward. In a kitchen, Gage pours an ingredient into a bowl.
NARRATOR: Snowboarding, cooking.
DESCRIPTION: In the kitchen, Gage holds a red apple. A smiling woman with short grey hair peels a yellow apple beside him. Gage spoons crumble on top of sliced apples.
GAGE: Today we're gonna make apple crisp.
[Background grinding noise]
DESCRIPTION: In his bedroom, Gage holds a sign with a picture of a horse that reads, “Memories are made on ridin’ days.” He lifts a pillow off his bed that features a white horse with their mane blowing. In a stall, a tan horse stands with a purple blanket over their back.
NARRATOR: And just about everything to do with horses. Especially one horse in particular named Ace.
[Upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: Gage holds a camera and films himself standing in front of Ace’s stall.
GAGE: So, this is Ace, everyone. Say hello, Ace.
DESCRIPTION: Gage, a brown-haired woman, the red-haired young man, and the short-haired man hug in a snow-covered, fenced paddock. Everyone wears a grey touque. Gage wears sunglasses. Horses wear blankets as they walk in a paddock.
[Highway Sign Text Reads] London. Population four hundred and twenty-three thousand.
NARRATOR: Gage and his family live in London, Ontario. With a population of over 400,000, these sprawling rural communities outside downtown London are perfect for farm animals and horses.
SHANA: I'm Gage's mom, Shana.
DESCRIPTION: In the paddock, the brown-haired woman, who is Shana and the short-haired man, who is Dave, stand with the red-haired young man between them. Gage hugs Dave’s side.
DAVE: I'm Gage's dad, Dave.
GAGE: Maxie is our family dog.
DESCRIPTION: In their home, Maxie, a black Labrador retriever, wags their tail.
SHANA: Maxie, sit!
[Dog barks]
DESCRIPTION: Maxie sits. In the room with the brick wall, Gage gestures at the red-haired young man.
GAGE: This is my brother, Carter.
CARTER: My name is Carter, and my little brother is Gage.
DESCRIPTION: Gage hugs the red-haired young man, Carter, and Carter smiles.
GAGE: We're like best friends.
[Light music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Gage opens his bedroom door. He gestures at a drawing of Ace on the wall. He picks up a medal hanging on a lanyard on a plaque on his wall.
GAGE: This is my bedroom. This is a picture of Ace. This is my medal for Special Olympics.
DESCRIPTION: A collage on the wall features pictures of Gage as a young child and with his family. Gage holds a pillow in a pillowcase featuring people riding horses. He picks up a tan horse figurine with grey legs.
NARRATOR: Gage was born with Down syndrome, which can make speech challenging and can also cause low muscle tone, but at the age of four, when Gage met a special pony, he was able to overcome these challenges.
[Upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: In video footage, four-year-old Gage rides a white pony. In the living room, Shana and Dave sit together. A photograph shows Carter, a child, hugging Gage, a toddler.
SHANA: Children with Down syndrome are generally delayed in their speech, so Carter actually started working on sign language with him.
DESCRIPTION: In the room with the brick wall, Gage and Carter sit together.
GAGE: He taught me sign language.
DESCRIPTION: A childhood photo features Gage dressed as a fireman.
DAVE: We thought that would help because he wasn't talking.
[Whoosh, upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: In the snowy paddock, the family stands together.
NARRATOR: Sign language was a really helpful tool as Gage's parents explored ways to help Gage find his voice.
[Horse nickers]
DESCRIPTION: In a paddock, a brown horse with a white blaze walks away from hay. In a photograph, younger Gage poses with the white pony, Toby.
NARRATOR: But on the day Gage was introduced to a therapy pony named Toby at SARI Therapeutic Horse Riding, he became the chatty boy he is today.
[Text On Sign Reads] Changing lives stride by side. www.Sari.ca. Bowling for ponies March 2. Registration open at Sari.ca.
[Dogs bark, cat meows]
DESCRIPTION: A photograph shows Gage holding Toby’s bridle. At a ranch, horses stand in snow-covered paddocks. A cast iron sign featuring two horse heads reads, “Welcome.” Three dogs walk on a floor, and a cat walks on a beam in the rafters of a barn. In one of the paddocks, a dappled grey horse gallops.
NARRATOR: Now that Toby is retired, he's moved to a new home where he lives will all sorts of dogs, barn cats, and other horses.
DESCRIPTION: In the barn, Gage walks to a stall with a woman with short grey hair.
NARRATOR: Today, Gage has shown up at the ranch to visit his old pal.
SHORT-HAIRED WOMAN: Hi, Toby!
GAGE: Hey, Tobe!
[Toby neighs]
DESCRIPTION: Toby pushes his nose out through an opening in the stall.
NARRATOR: Now, that's a way to welcome an old friend.
GAGE: Toby's the very first horse I rode.
DESCRIPTION: Gage and the short-haired woman stand with Toby, who nuzzles both excitedly.
SHORT-HAIRED WOMAN: He looks pretty good, doesn't he? Nice and white and fluffy.
GAGE: Yeah, he does!
DESCRIPTION: The short-haired woman, Sue, stands in front of stalls.
SUE: My name is Sue Brown.
DESCRIPTION: Sue and Gage brush Toby.
NARRATOR: Sue is Gage and Toby's therapeutic riding instructor, and she still likes to catch up with them on their visits together on the ranch.
SUE: Give him a nice brush. Toby loves brushes.
[Toby snorts]
SUE: Toby has Cushing's disease. It gives him lots of furry hair, but it also affects their eyesight, so now he's almost totally blind.
[Toby snorts]
DESCRIPTION: Gage brushes Toby between his eyes.
NARRATOR: Cushing's disease is when a horse's brain is sending too many messages, and the horse's body gets out of balance.
SUE: He's 32 years old.
GAGE: He's like a little old man.
SUE: Yes, he's like a little old man. That's right.
DESCRIPTION: Gage hugs Toby.
SUE: Aw, Toby loves hugs. That's a lovely hug.
[Toby neighs]
DESCRIPTION: Gage brushes Toby, and hugs him again.
SHANA: Benefits from therapeutic horse riding is generally thought to be physical. The benefits that we saw for most was his speech.
[Toby neighs]
DESCRIPTION: In the barn, Toby stands between Gage and Sue.
SUE: Were you nervous of Toby when you first got on?
GAGE: A little bit, but he's a great guy to be with.
DESCRIPTION: In an arena, a black-and-white cat jumps over a wall.
SUE: Do you want to take him into the arena now and walk him around?
GAGE: Sure!
DESCRIPTION: Gage leads Toby into the arena. The cat lies on top of a wall.
SUE: Okay, in you go, Toby. So, we just walk him around, and what do you say when you ask him to walk on and trot?
DESCRIPTION: Gage holds Toby’s lead and runs in front of him.
GAGE: Trot!
DESCRIPTION: In the living room, Shana and Dave sit together.
SHANA: Giving that little boost at SARI has transferred into what he's doing at school.
DESCRIPTION: In the kitchen, Gage mixes ingredients in the bowl. He pours liquid over the sliced apples in the pan.
DAVE: He's really taking an interest in food preparation.
[School bell rings]
[Sign Text Reads] Montessori Academy of London.
DESCRIPTION: In the school kitchen, Gage wears a chef’s hat and chops a cucumber. Nearby containers hold figs, large croutons, and pumpkin seeds.
NARRATOR: At his school, Gage now helps out as a lunch coordinator. He really gets into his role. Even wearing a chef's hat as he chops and prepares food for the other students.
DESCRIPTION: In a school library, Mandy, a woman with long, straight blonde hair, wears a white quilted sweater. Five students meet around a table with a black-haired adult. One of the students types on a laptop computer.
MANDY: I'm Mandy Denomy and I'm a teacher with Gage. As a lunch coordinator, Gage will have meetings with a bunch of his peers, and they decide on the menu. He will also do all of the cooking and prepping and everything for his peers.
DESCRIPTION: In the kitchen, Gage writes on a clipboard.
NARRATOR: Those peers look hungry. What's on the menu for today, Gage?
DESCRIPTION: Gage has a pan of baked ziti and a bowl of salad on an island in front of him.
GAGE: Lunch today is baked ziti and salad, and cooking up banana and pommes frites.
[Background chatter]
DESCRIPTION: Gage spins his pen, attached to the clipboard by a string, in circles, and the students smile and laugh.
NARRATOR: That ziti looks delicious. Toby really did help Gage speak up, which in turn helped Gage make new friends.
[Gage laughs]
DESCRIPTION: In the school kitchen, Aubrey sits at a table. She has long, wavy blonde hair, wears eyeglasses, and wears a mustard yellow shirt. In the kitchen, Gage grinds pepper into a bowl, and Aubrey pours the batter into a frying pan. A photo features Gage and Aubrey posing together as children.
AUBREY: I'm Aubrey. Gage is one of my best friends. He's super outgoing.
DESCRIPTION: In the kitchen, Gage writes on the clipboard.
GAGE: Me and Sarah goes out for the first date.
[Students laugh, background chatter]
DESCRIPTION: At the table, the students sit and laugh. The student with the laptop, Sebastian, has short, curly black hair and wears a green-grey sweater. Gage sits at the table with the others.
SEBASTIAN: My name is Sebastian. Gage is my friend. He doesn't let anything get in his way.
[Whoosh, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: At SARI horse ranch, snow covers the paddocks and fields. A sign inside a building features a painting of a brown horse’s head, and the text reads, “S.A.R.I. A bit of magic.” A photograph shows Gage looking up at a white horse.
NARRATOR: Gage first met Toby at a therapy horse ranch called SARI. When he outgrew Toby, the ranch introduced him to a new friend. A pony named Ace.
[Ace nickers]
DESCRIPTION: In a stall, Ace wears a purple blanket. In a photograph, Gage, as a young child, hugs three women in an office. One has brown hair, one has long, straight blonde hair, and the last woman has her brown hair in a ponytail.
NARRATOR: And with this newfound friendship also came a new instructor.
DESCRIPTION: In the indoor riding arena, the straight-haired woman from the photograph, Kathryn, wears eyeglasses, a grey SARI touque and a black SARI vest over a black long-sleeved sweater.
KATHRYN: My name is Kathryn Matheson, and I am an instructor here at SARI Therapeutic Riding. I've been teaching Gage for about five years.
[Background Carter chats]
DESCRIPTION: In a tack room, Carter leads Ace towards a saddle, and Gage attaches the lead to a ring on a post. Gage places a saddle blanket on Ace’s back, and Carter puts on the saddle. They put the bridle on Ace, and Gage leans against him.
NARRATOR: One of the skills Gage learned from Kathryn was how to prep a horse for riding. Attaching his saddle, reins for steering, and other riding equipment known at the tack. Today, with the help of his brother, Carter, Gage is getting Ace ready to ride for a training session.
GAGE: Ace is ready to ride. Huh, buddy?
[Ace whinnies]
DESCRIPTION: In the room with the brick wall, Gage and Carter sit together.
GAGE: My best friend forever is Ace. He has a big heart, that horse.
DESCRIPTION: At SARI, Kathryn stands at the open door to the indoor riding arena.
KATHRYN: You guys ready to ride?
GAGE: Yep!
KATHRYN: Okay, let's go. All right, we're bringing Ace into the block now so that Gage can get on.
DESCRIPTION: Gage stands on a wooden crate and mounts Ace.
KATHRYN: Swing that leg over. When you're ready, say "Walk on."
GAGE: Walk on, bud.
DESCRIPTION: Carter leads Ace away from the block.
KATHRYN: Perfect! And Carter's got the lead.
DESCRIPTION: Gage waves.
NARRATOR: That was an impressive mount.
NARRATOR: Gage has gained a lot of strength since working with Ace.
[Gage speaks in the background]
DESCRIPTION: In the living room, Shana and Dave sit together. In the arena, Gage rides Ace.
SHANA: Children with Down syndrome typically have low tone in their tone. Therapeutic horse riding can be very good for them to build that core strength.
DESCRIPTION: In the arena, Kathryn walks to Ace and Gage.
KATHRYN: How about we practice some steering now, Gage?
DESCRIPTION: In the arena, Kathryn stands by a wall for an interview.
KATHRYN: Gage has made incredible progress with Ace.
DESCRIPTION: Gage holds Ace’s reins.
KATHRYN: We're going to weave through the pylons, okay?
DESCRIPTION: In the arena, Kathryn stands by a wall for an interview.
KATHRYN: He's been doing things like steering independently.
DESCRIPTION: Carter holds Ace’s lead as Gage steers, holding the reins. They turn at the end of the arena.
KATHRYN: Turn right in front of that pole and head straight for basketball.
DESCRIPTION: Ace stops by a toy basketball net, and Kathryn gives Gage a ball.
NARRATOR: Basketball on a horse? Now that sounds challenging.
KATHRYN: Ready?
DESCRIPTION: Gage throws the ball just short of the net.
KATHRYN: Oh! This close.
DESCRIPTION: Kathryn picks up the ball.
NARRATOR: Nice try, Gage. I'm sure with a little more practice, you'll get it.
KATHRYN: Can we give Ace a nice pat to say thank you?
DESCRIPTION: Gage pets Ace’s neck and hugs him.
GAGE: Good job, bud.
KATHRYN: Good job! We need to make sure he knows how special he is, right?
GAGE: Yeah, always is.
KATHRYN: Good job today!
DESCRIPTION: Gage and Kathryn high-five.
GAGE: You too!
KATHRYN: Thank you! Great job.
[Whoosh]
DESCRIPTION: In front of the school, Gage walks to the open back of a white van with two men wearing grey touques.
NARRATOR: Back at his school, Gage isn't just using his muscles to help out in the kitchen.
[Jim, Gage, and Sean laugh]
DESCRIPTION: In the room with the brick wall, Gage and Carter sit together. In the van, Jim, Gage, and Sean sit on the edge of the back, and Gage pulls the men back. Jim wears a black jacket, grey gloves and black jeans. Gage wears a white helmet over an orange hat, an orange coat, and blue jeans. Sean wears a grey-and-black jacket and blue jeans.
GAGE: Sean and Jim are the maintenance guys at school, and I like to work for them.
[Jim, Gage, and Sean laugh]
DESCRIPTION: Gage hugs Jim and Sean. Later, Sean stands between a fence and the school.
SEAN: My name is Sean Post. I'm the service and maintenance associate for Montessori Academy of Learning.
DESCRIPTION: Sean holds a bucket of road salt.
SEAN: So, we're gonna clear out the school sidewalk of snow and ice.
SEAN: Away you go, sir.
[Shovel scrapes]
DESCRIPTION: Gage shovels the sidewalk beside the school.
JIM: There we go! Get the muscle going! Nice! There we go!
DESCRIPTION: Gage shovels, and Jim walks behind him, spreading handfuls of salt from a bucket.
SEAN: Yeah!
JIM: Good job!
DESCRIPTION: Gage shovels a wider path, and Jim spreads salt behind him. Gage fist bumps Jim and Sean. He gives Jim his helmet and hugs Sean by the van.
NARRATOR: Sean and Jim are lucky to have a strong kid like Gage to help them out. But as Gage has gotten bigger and stronger, much like with Toby, he's outgrown his pony Ace.
[Ace whinnies]
DESCRIPTION: At SARI, Ace wears the purple blanket in his stall. Kathryn stands in the indoor riding arena. In a photograph, Gage gazes at Ace.
KATHRYN: Gage is definitely getting too big for Ace. We love the bond that they have built, but we have decided that Gage will be moving on to a bigger, taller horse. And that horse is the mighty Samson.
[Samson whinnies]
DESCRIPTION: Carter opens the arena door and leads Samson, a Palomino, inside.
KATHRYN: Hi, buddy.
GAGE: What's up, man? He looks like Ace.
KATHRYN: He's fluffy like Ace, but he's a lot bigger because you're a lot bigger.
[Tense music plays, Samson whinnies]
NARRATOR: Samson is definitely a much bigger horse, measuring in at a full hand taller than Ace.
KATHRYN: Are you ready to try your new horse?
DESCRIPTION: Carter and Gage lead Samson around the arena.
GAGE: Yeah.
DESCRIPTION: In the room with the brick wall, Gage and Carter sit together. At SARI, Ace eats hay from a feeder.
GAGE: I was pretty nervous and a little bit sad that I'm moving from Ace. But he will still be there.
[Light music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Gage wipes his eye.
CARTER: Gage was quite off guard when he first found out. Ace is the horse he's ridden for the longest period of time.
DESCRIPTION: Video footage shows Carter holding Ace’s lead as Gage rides, holding the reins. In the present, Samson stands beside the block.
KATHRYN: You ready to get on your pony?
GAGE: Yes.
KATHRYN: Horse. Not a pony.
DESCRIPTION: Kathryn stands beside Gage as he puts his foot in the stirrup and swings onto Samson’s saddle.
KATHRYN: Now, we're gonna put our foot in the stirrup, and we're gonna have a big swing because now we're on a taller horse. Good swing! Good job! That was excellent. High-five.
[Upbeat music plays, Shana cheers, applause]
DESCRIPTION: Gage high-fives Kathryn, and she gives him the reins. In a viewing area, Dave waves, and Shana claps.
NARRATOR: Wow! Gage made that look easy. His parents watch proudly and cheer him on.
[Samson whinnies]
KATHRYN: Ready to go on Samson?
GAGE: Walk on, big buddy!
DESCRIPTION: Carter holds the lead and looks back at Gage as Samson walks forward.
KATHRYN: Good job. We're gonna try our new skills on Samson today, okay? So, when we go over these poles, we're gonna be working on our two-point.
DESCRIPTION: Samson walks towards a pole on the ground. In an interview, Kathryn stands at the side of the arena.
KATHRYN: Two-point encourages the rider to move their centre of gravity forward, and they must balance with their feet.
NARRATOR: Not only is Samson a new horse for Gage, but trying two-point unassisted by instructor Kathryn is also a whole new move for Gage.
DESCRIPTION: Gage stands in the stirrups and leans forward, looking over Samson’s ears, as Samson walks over the poles.
KATHRYN: Standing up. Look between his ears. Good. Use strong leg muscles. Good job! And back up, sitting tall. Very good.
DESCRIPTION: In the interview, Kathryn stands by the basketball hoop.
KATHRYN: That was awesome! I hope that Gage can grow with Samson and help him develop some more skills.
DESCRIPTION: Kathryn stands by the hoop, holding the ball.
KATHRYN: Are you ready to try basketball?
GAGE: Yeah.
KATHRYN: Yeah? Okay.
[Dramatic music plays]
DESCRIPTION: She gives the ball to Gage.
[Gage speaks]
DESCRIPTION: Gage scores in the net.
KATHRYN: Yeah! He shoots, he scores!
[Applause, Shana cheers, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Gage raises his arms victoriously. In the viewing room, his parents clap. Shana points and bounces.
NARRATOR: Always his cheerleaders, his parents watch proudly.
KATHRYN: Why don't you give Samson a big pat?
DESCRIPTION: Gage smiles and hugs Samson’s neck.
GAGE: Yes, good job.
DESCRIPTION: Carter leads Samson across the arena. Gage leans forward and does the two-point.
NARRATOR: This looks to be the beginning of a beautiful friendship between Gage and Samson, with many new lessons to come.
[Whoosh, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: At school, Gage carries the covered pan of ziti up a staircase. In a flashback, Gage kisses Ace and leans against him.
SHANA: Now that Gage is in junior high, he takes care of carrying food from level to level. Big trays. And there are three levels of stairs. I think that the core strength and the leg strength that he has gained from horse riding is definitely benefiting him.
[Horse neighs]
[Title] Collar of Duty Kids.
[Whoosh, upbeat music plays]
[End Credits] Directed and Produced by Laura Lillie. Featuring Liyanna and Atlas, Gage and Ace. Narrator: Craig Smith. Executive Producers: Laura Lillie, Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Original Theme Music Joel Silver. Copyright 2025 Purple Panda Productions Incorporated. All rights reserved.
DESCRIPTION: The Purple Panda Productions Incorporated logo includes a photo of a child and a German Shepherd.
[Logo] S.M.I. Summerhill Media Incorporated.
[Logo] Produced in association with A.M.I.
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