Service Dog Serves As Alarm Clock For Oklahoma Woman

Service dogs come in all sizes, and are trained for all sorts of jobs; retrieve things, open doors or even use their noses to recognize medical problems. And sometimes, they can even serve as a four-legged alarm clock.

Sarah Wheaton is a bright, attractive, 21 year old, with a service dog named Sage. She's a college student, but not right now.

"I had to leave school temporarily, because I couldn't wake up to go to my classes before I got her," Sarah said.

I know what you're thinking, what parent of college kid hasn't heard that before, but Sarah has narcolepsy.

"It's not the same, it's not the same as just being tired," Sarah said.

Her mom, Patti Wheaton, said she's probably had it forever, they just didn't know it.

"I thought it was a wonderful thing to have a 2 year old that begged to take a nap," Patti said.

It's like an involuntary nap. When Sarah went off to college the narcolepsy became a real problem, so did some anxiety issues she had. The school suggested a service dog to help with the anxiety.

Sarah's mom found Marj Satterfield, a master trainer and owner of Glad Wags a Service Dog training academy. Marj put Sarah with Sage, a 4-year-old Australian Shepherd. When Sage senses Sarah is anxious, or worse, having a panic attack, she's trained to get on Sarah's lap and change her focus.

Visit Marj's Website

Here's the cool part, this service dog trained to sooth anxiety and panic, assumed the job of four legged alarm clock, She's Sarah's sleep monitor, let's her sleep when she needs to, then wakes her up when she needs to be awake.

Sarah's parents have put together a little event called "Hogs for Service Dogs Poker Run" to raise money for service dogs for those who need them.