It's a story of rescue and redemption, reliance and, most of all, second chances.

George Feriend and his dog Chi Chi are just beginning a new life's journey.

George is a disabled vet, a bone cancer survivor with a special medical condition. He's prone to severe tremors in his right arm, a side effect of shoulder surgery related to his cancer.

We know less about Chi Chi's life. A two and a half year old chihuahua-miniature pinscher mix, she showed up as a stray at the Lassen County Animal Shelter.

It took a lot of people to bring these two together and it begins with an organization called Canines With a Cause. They found Chi Chi where they find others.

"We find shelter dogs, usually from high kill shelters," says Rachel Dickinson, the organization's Reno Program Manager. "We bring them to the Warm Springs Prison where we pair them with incarcerated veterans who train the dogs and then they get paired with veterans who want to adopt the dogs and bring them all the way through service dog training."

It is--George says--like speed dating with a dog. Obviously these two hit it off.

"She's there any moment I need her. She'll stay if I ask her to, but if I go in another room and stay too long she'll come check on me."

After training she will do a lot more.

"We're going to train her to get up on my lap and lay on my arm and help me control it. And even times when I'm not noticing my arm is shaking, she'll get up on my lap and let me know my arm is out of control."

There are winners all around, lives are saved, redirected. The dogs get a second chance, the effect on the imprisoned veterans is well documented and it has a big impact on he lives of veterans like George Feriend.

"It not only saved Chi Chi's life, it heals the veteran that's in the prison and it heals the dog's life and it heals the veteran that's out that gets the service dogs that's in training to be a service dog."

Canines With A Cause will be holding it's annual fundraiser -- Dogs of Reno-- this Sunday at Idlewild Park. Everyone and their dogs are invited for a day of canine fun.

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