On April 14, a sold-out crowd of children and their parents gathered at the Fairmont Copley Plaza for an inspiring afternoon story time and book signing event from the authors of Rescue & Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship, which is based on a real-life partnership and is a heartening story of the love and teamwork between a girl and her Service Dog. The book was released in early April and skyrocketed to #4 on the New York Times Bestseller list in just over a week.

Co-authors Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes, survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing who both lost legs as result, along with Jessica’s Service Dog, Rescue, read Rescue and Jessica to guests and signed copies of the book. NEADS, which trained Rescue as a Service Dog and placed him with Jessica, was in attendance to further educate about its work and the importance of Service Dogs. Carly Copley, Fairmont Copley Plaza’s beloved canine ambassador and fellow black lab, was there, too.

All ticket proceeds ($735) from the event were donated to NEADS.