Some service dogs come in small packages, but their contributions to the health, safety and well-being of their masters go far beyond their stature.

For Sharyn Lynn Gorsky, 56, of Deerfield Beach, her bichon frisé, Jonah, has helped turn her life around.

	Service dog Jonah, a Bichon Frise, helps owner Sharyn Lynn Gorsky, who has asthma and hearing difficulties, stay out of danger. (Photo supplied by Sharyn Lynn Gorsky) Sep. 22, 2003   2003, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Veterinarian Thomas Seffa of the Hollywood Animal Hospital recommended that Gorsky apply for a rescued bichon because of her declining health and asthma in addition to a hearing difficulty.

"Most people think of service dogs as German shepherds or other large dogs," said Karen Shiller of Weston, who runs Bichon Frise Rescue of Florida. "Any dog that does service is a service dog. The hearing dog performs certain services, such as alerting Sharyn to fire alarms or strangers coming behind her, or the telephone ringing by moving back and forth between her and the telephone."

Bichons are a desirable puffball of a dog, with a loosely curled double-white coat that has no dander, a must because of Gorsky's asthma.

"He introduced me to the breed," Gorsky said. "They are fantastic, very intelligent and hypoallergenic animals, but I couldn't afford $1,500 for a dog from a breeder."

Shiller, who rescues bichons, was able to pair Gorsky with 2-year-old Jonah.

"My self-esteem has shot through the roof since I got Jonah," Gorsky said. "I have so much confidence in myself. I laugh more than I have ever laughed before, and I have a sense of peace, and with Jonah with me day and night, I never feel lonely and alone."

Just a few weeks after Jonah joined Gorsky, the fire alarm in her high-rise sounded because of a broken water pipe, and Jonah led Gorsky to safety.

"Just imagine if that was a fire and I didn't have Jonah. I'd be living in fear every day, wondering if there is a fire or other problem that might be life-threatening," she said.

Despite having the federal Americans with Disabilities Act on their side, Gorsky and Jonah have almost daily problems with people failing to recognize Jonah as a service animal.

The management of the B'nai Brith Apartments initially would not observe Gorsky's right to have a service animal living with her, she said.

"Eventually, we got it all worked out," she said, "but some residents of the apartments have been slow to accept Jonah as a service animal and not a pet, to the point where several have verbally abused me, and one even hit Jonah on the nose with a book."

Just recently, Gorsky said, she went to visit an elderly relative in a gated community and was refused entry because of its no-pet rule.

The ensuing argument caused Gorsky to have an asthma attack, something she says she hasn't experienced since she got Jonah.

It took police intervention with the guard before she and Jonah were allowed in.

"I want to reach out to other people who are struggling with disabilities and don't have a spouse," Gorsky said. "I was scared to death of my own shadow, but I have been able to overcome a lot of adversity in my life, and I want to tell other people that they can do the same."

For more information about Bichon Frise Rescue, visit www.bichonrescuefl.com., or call Shiller at 954-384-1474.