Allen Parton

Yes, Endal is an amazing dog who makes an incredible impact on the lives of a family devastated by a head injury of one of its members. But it is not an amazing book. You have to get halfway through the book before Endal becomes part of the story. The chapters are alternately narrated by the vet with the head injury and his wife. They are not terribly well written - it seems that bringing in a professional writer & editor could have made this a better read. I personally have a service dog who has changed my life and I applaud all efforts to make public the efforts of the agencies that work to train and place these life changing animals. Donations of money, but more importantly, donations of time by those people who can train a dog and pass it on, are sorely needed. But if you want to read a really excellent book about a dog who changes the life of an American veteran, I highly recommend "Until Tuesday". Another amazing dog but a much richer recounting of one veteran's experience. "Endal" is too sugar-coated, if that can possibly be said about a story of the survivor of a traumatic brain injury. It will tug at heart-strings. But "Until Tuesday" will open your eyes and your minds about what injured military veterans cope with from a societal and bureaucratic perspective while presenting a much deeper backstory of the dogs that change the lives of people with disabilities.… (altro)

This is a very interesting story of a British military family who must face a crisis that they aren't prepared for and even the 'experts' cannot define and, frankly, seem to be more hindrance than help on several occasions. In the U. S., Allen would have been much better treated and received much greater help. Endal comes into their lives at the right time -- Sandra is nearly at the end of her rope and Allen is finally ready, though relucantly, to accept the help of a canine partner. Endal is an incredible dog, but it's what he does to give Allen independence and allow him to grow and achieve so much even while mentally disabled that turns the tide for the family. Every dog lover should read about Endal.… (altro)