AVONDALE, AZ -- A Valley family facing the loss of their daughter in a tragic car crash is finding some comfort in the survival and the future of her dog.
Eighteen-year-old Megan Atkinson was killed Monday night in a car crash near Luke Air Force Base. Her two-month-old Black Labrador Sam was with her in the car.
“They had a special relationship,” said Megan’s mother Debbie. “She spent hours training him. People were amazed at what she could get him to do.”
Debbie gave Sam to her daughter two years ago when Sam was just six weeks old.
The pain of losing their daughter was only multiplied by the fact that her beloved dog was suffering life-threatening injuries.
The Glendale Fire Department’s Crisis Team saved Sam and placed him with the FETCH Foundation. The FETCH Foundation is a non-profit organization that helps injured animals. It also provides pet emergency kits to fire departments so they can better care for animals involved in accidents.
“He is such an easy-going laid back guy,” said FETCH founder Mary Peck. “He is going to be OK.”
Sam’s survival means something to the family knowing that Megan was training Sam to become a service animal.
“He is carrying on her legacy,” Debbie said. “I know she is looking down and smiling. This is what she would have wanted.”
The FETCH Foundation is now raising money for his on-going recovery which will likely include several surgeries.
Contributions can be made through Animal Health Services at 37555 N. Cave Creek Road.
The circumstances of the car accident are still being investigated.
