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Reviewed by Lindsay DeRollo for Readers' Favorite
Mitchie the Service Dog Gets a Job! is a heartwarming story by Diane Petrozzo. It begins in Colorado with an elderly man named Mel, who is losing his eyesight. Upon hearing the news from his doctor that he will eventually become blind, he feels hopeless, alone, and in great despair. In the meantime, a black Labrador puppy named Mitchie is training to become a service dog in Upstate New York. He is nervous that he won’t do a good job and that people won’t like him. Yet he ends up excelling in service dog school and is at the top of his class. He is still a little unsure of himself, though. Soon he is assigned to become Mel’s service dog out in Colorado. When Mel comes to the service dog school to visit, he is instantly impressed and more hopeful about his situation. Together, they set out on a journey full of growth, joy, and an unshakeable bond between man and dog.
Mitchie the Service Dog Gets a Job! is such an inspirational story filled with hope and encouragement. Diane Petrozzo teaches children in a way they can understand about the gift of perseverance, helping someone in need, and believing in yourself. A situation is never hopeless, and there is always room to grow. I love stories like this that educate us on how animals can help people with all kinds of disabilities. We need them just as much as they need us to take care of them. This story also raises awareness of this valuable service and can help increase its availability to people. The characters are very well-developed and relatable. Diane does a great job of showing the emotional bond between Mel and Mitchie. The beautiful illustrations by Lauren Zurcher express this even more vividly. Both children and adults will love looking at the bright and colorful illustrations (especially of adorable Mitchie!). Diane also does a wonderful job of showing how someone can grow if they learn to trust themselves and open their hearts to others. The rewards are endless. Trust the process of life, and remember that there’s always a way forward. Who better to teach us that than the unconditional love of an animal? I highly recommend this book for children of all ages.
