Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship

A young woman named Jessica faces a life-altering medical situation that requires her to adapt to major physical changes. At the same time, a black lab puppy named Rescue trains to become a service dog. The story follows Jessica and Rescue as their paths intersect and they learn to work together as a team. Their relationship develops as Jessica navigates her new reality and Rescue puts his training into practice. Through their shared journey, Jessica and Rescue demonstrate the power of perseverance, mutual support, and the special bond between humans and service animals. This true story offers insights into disability, healing, and the importance of finding strength in unexpected places.

Readers appreciate this true story's sensitive handling of disability, resilience, and the bond between a service dog and human. Parents and teachers note it helps children understand adaptive equipment and disabilities without being preachy. Readers highlight: - Clear explanations of service dogs' roles - Realistic illustrations showing hospital settings and prosthetics - The focus on capability rather than limitation - Jessica's determination and Rescue's dedication Critical feedback mentions: - Some young children find medical aspects scary - A few readers wanted more details about training service dogs Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.9/5 (450+ ratings) From reviews: "Helped my daughter understand why some people use mobility devices" - Parent on Amazon "Perfect balance of honesty and hope" - School librarian on Goodreads "The illustrations capture both difficult moments and joyful ones" - Teacher review

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🦮 Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes, the authors, are survivors of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and wrote this book based on their real-life experiences. 🐾 The black Labrador Retriever in the story is based on Jessica's actual service dog, Rescue, who helped her navigate life after losing both legs. 🎨 The illustrator, Scott Magoon, was at the Boston Marathon finish line when the bombing occurred, making this project particularly meaningful for him. 📚 The book has won multiple awards, including the 2019 Schneider Family Book Award for its authentic portrayal of the disability experience. ❤️ Rescue's name carries special significance - while he helps rescue Jessica in her daily life, Jessica often says that she and Patrick rescued him too by giving him his purpose as a service dog.