Miracle survived a terrifying fall from a second-floor balcony and is now set to begin a new chapter as a veteran’s service dog after months in foster care.
A video of the young German Shepherd being thrown from a Daytona Beach balcony went viral last December. Now, she has returned with good news: she was adopted and is about to start her new life as a service dog for a war veteran. After the incident, the court determined that the dog’s former owner, Alison Murphy, was unfit to care for her and granted a petition for rehoming. Murphy has been charged with a felony and is barred from owning animals for the next five years.
Volusia County police responded to the Daytona Beach Hotel in December 2020 after reports of a woman standing on a second-floor balcony and threatening to jump. Before officers arrived, Murphy grabbed the dog and threw her from the balcony. Miraculously, the dog landed on her feet and ran away. Bystanders quickly caught her and brought her to a nearby animal hospital for care. She emerged with only minor injuries, earning her the nickname “Miracle.”
Miracle has been living with a foster family since December. As a registered service dog, she has a lot of love and support to give, and Animal Services has matched her with a veteran who needs a service animal. Service dogs assist veterans with injuries or physical limitations by performing tasks such as opening doors, retrieving items, and seeking help. They also provide emotional support and comfort to veterans coping with PTSD or other mental health challenges from their service.
In a statement from Volusia County, Animal Services Director Adam Leath praised those who helped bring about Miracle’s happy ending, saying: “We are grateful that, through collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we were able to intervene and protect Miracle from further harm.” He added that Animal Services and law enforcement agencies across the county remain committed to supporting both our four-legged friends and the people who care for them.
