Margaret Smith: Whether going by train, plane or bus, Ellen Leigh of Arlington has covered many miles with Ricky, her affable black Labrador retriever, at her side. “I’ve had him for over eight years. He’s extremely well trained,” said Leigh. Leigh and Ricky teamed up through NEADS, a Princeton-based nonprofit organization that provides and trains service dogs.

“He is trained to do things to help me cope with my disability,” said Leigh. “He opens doors. He picks things up that drop. He retrieves things I need, and brings them to me, takes off my jacket. He can bark to get attention. He can fetch the phone, all kinds of things.”

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