'I'm in this town's debt for the rest of my life'
»Play Video
WHITE SALMON, Wash. - A Washington man has a new lease on life thanks to people in this small community coming together for a big mission.
Friends of Bill Ward, who suffers from post-traumatic seizure disorder, raised thousands of dollars for a life-changing canine to help him overcome his seizures.
"I've been knocked out over 24 times. I've had almost 100 concussions," he says. "It started back in football and then rodeo; and I've fallen off some poles. I was a lineman – telephone technician."
The seizures come upon him a couple times a week. They hit without warning and don't allow him to work, drive a car or go far from home.
"Just over a year and a half ago I started having what are very similar to grand mal seizures. I have no forewarning. I just go down," Ward says.
But now thanks to an 85-pound, year-old English Labrador retriever named Barley, life is getting a little easier for Ward.
"It was pretty intensive. We had to really get to know each other, and I had to learn – he already knew what he was doing, but I had to learn what I was doing," he says.
Getting Barley wasn't easy though. The cost for the service dog was more than $20,000. After Ward sent an email to a friend, word got out.
"It was kind of a fire, it just spread all over the place," says Lorrie Knowles who helped raise money for Barley. "I didn't realize that people had donated that much money. I'm just so gratified. It's just amazing to me."
In just two months White Salmon residents and businesses raised enough money for Ward's life-changing dog.
The pair has only been working together for three weeks, but it only took Barley one day to recognize a seizure was about to hit Ward.
"We were just sitting there, and he was lying on the floor half asleep and he just jumped up started jumping all over me," Ward says.
Now Barley is giving Ward a taste of freedom again.
"Yeah it's incredible. I'm in this town's debt for the rest of my life. It's going to change my life considerably," he says. "It already has."
Ward spent two weeks in San Diego training with Barley. Since being home, Ward has had five seizures, and every time Barley has alerted him 18 minutes before they've happened.
AWESOME! Glad Bill has a new lease on life. Our animals really do make a huge difference in our lives don't they?Â
Bill, I enjoyed reading your story and hearing that the community came together to help you get your service dog. Also just wanted to mentioned it was also very cool that you personally replied to the post here. I wish you and your dog the best. Â I know you'll be having lots of long walks now with no worries. Â
I was happy to reply, it was cool people took the time to comment. Take care.
Bill, these posts have my day and thank you for your involvement. And you've been very helpful in helping us to understand how much helping hands and helping paws........well, it's invaluable !!!
I have enjoyed it very much, thank you!
I just want to thank all of you for your kind words and say to support your local service clubs. The Lions, The Elks, I.O.O.F. Soroptimist International and The Knights of Columbus all were big supporters of mine. Also the Communications Workers of America local Unions of District 7. It is also important to remember to shop local and support the small buisness people. Many of my donations came from small local buisness. None from chain stores. The service clubs and the Union locals and the small buisness people raised about $12,000.00. The rest came from people just like you and I out of the wallet in the pocket or the purse. That is what is amazing about this story.
What a refreshingly sweet and happy story to read in the news. Mr. Ward I am so happy for you and for your new companion Barley. I hope the two of you spend many wonderful years together. Stories like this remind us that in the middle of all the doom and gloom we read about every day that there are good people in the world still and happy things to look forward to.
@marflar I agree, and they arent all in White Salmon because all of these kind responses are not coming from here. Thank you for your words.
 @Bill Thanks so much for actually coming on here and conversing with us, that's awesome. I really wish nothing but the best for you and Barley.
Â
Just recently my youngest child (9 yrs) had what doctors are telling me was a seizure that had all the phases of a grand mal. Scariest thing ever for me, I can't even imagine what it's like for the person actually having one. You've got one loyal buddy looking out for you 24/7 now. :) Â It never ceases to amaze me the great things we learn about animals such as dogs who can detect a seizure beforehand and give warning. And thanks for the only really happy news that I have read today, totally made my week :)Â
People are so much more giving than most of us give them credit for. I'm glad this town was able to show just how giving they can be.
Bill probably thinks he was the one most blessed in this deal, but we know, those that gave got just as much, if not more.
@Owt_Raged I have given a lot in my life and know how good it feels to give, I just didnt know what it felt like to be on this end of such a gesture, it is overwhelming. IT is just great to know there are places in this world where communities and people still come together like this. We are always hearing about the bad, it was nice to be part of the good. Thanks
 @Bill Bill as in the Bill from this story? Very cool! So happy for you, man. And give Barley some hugs and scratches from us tonight!
Way to go White Salmon!Â
@momo WAY TO GO WHITE SALMON!!! I AGREE
Amen. What a wonderful gesture.
@Bdou Incredible to say the least. Thanks
These dogs are just incredible, along with their trainers!  Years ago, I lived in Marin County, CA and I used to watch the service dogs for the blind being trained in downtown San Rafael; they were fascinating to watch! Â
Â
In re these dogs that sense on-coming seizures... somewhere I read a while back that some scientists likened it a little bit to the sense that many animals have when an earthquake is about to happen... has to do with "electrical impulses" or something... They don't fully understand it yet, but they know it happens...
Â
Mr Ward, I wish you and Barley a long and happy life together, and may you continue to enjoy it in the community that you share with so many caring people..! Â
 @margay1 I think very often we forget to give animals the credit and respect they deserve. Good to read things like this article AND your post!
@margay1 Thank you very much. I wish you all the best as well.
Highly suggest 'The Art of Racing in the Rain' by Garth Stein. Amazing story told from the dog's perspective as he is a loyal companion through all of life's snags. Any dog lover will love this book - but be ready to laugh and cry!
@Indy2Oregon Thank you for the suggestion, I will try it out.
Bill, thank you for sharing your story and for actually being part of this discussion! That's a real treat. I think dogs that are service dogs are angels on earth, and the people that train them are too. I am in awe of a dog that can predict seizures, it's such a miracle! Maybe if they could tell the docs how they do it so far in advance, treatment would improve. But, the language problem is impossible, so far! You future will certainly be improved by this wonderful companion, and by knowing your community is behind you all the way, good on everyone for making this happen. Good luck to you, Sir, I wish you and Barley the best for many, many years to come.Â
@ConfusedByYou@60 Thank you so much for the good words. The fact that an animal can sense what we cant isnt a miracle to me. What I find to be the miracle is that Katie, the director at Little Angels Service Dogs could take that animal and many others and turn them into something that anyone can work with, even little kids. She is truely an angel and the miracle here. As for my participation I feel it is my obligation. My sister just happened to talk to somone that knew about service dogs and mentioned it to me. I may still be falling on my face if it were not for that. The more people that hear about it the better and the more people that hear that there are still communitys out there you can live in that support each other all the better for that to.
@ConfusedByYou@60 HERE HERE ,
I love this story! That is SO cool that a dog can be trained to do this, I'm impressed and it's nice to see a positive news story.
@something31 This and many other things. They are using dogs for detection of many problems like low blood sugar and helping vets with PTSD. Amazing animals.
Fantastic work by the people who donated money, but also the people who trained Barley. That's a VERY hard thing to do!!
Congratulations on a fantastic new leash on life (Pun intended, as now you have a constant companion to go with you, saving your day!)
@washcomom Went for a long walk today with the dog and my son. First time in 18 months I could walk any distance without fear of doing a face plant. Thanks for the good words.
@washcomom Good one mom
Loved reading this story. Wishing Bill and Barley a happy journey together!
thank you so much
What a handsome dog.
I love reading things like this. Gives me hope for humanity in general.I hope Bill and Barley have a long, wonderful partnership.And what a wonderful community!!
@AmiM Thank you and it does show there is hope for humanity doesnt it
I would just like to say that the dog was $10,000 and the travel for myself and my family for 2 weeks another $12,000. I dont think that breakdown was clear in the story and that was my fault for not being clear enough about it.  There may be people out there that may take interest in this possibility for themselves and may be discouraged by the cost.  Little Angels Service Dogs in San Diego is a 501c3 and they are non profit.  They help with fund raising.  Anyone can get the dog they need.  I was just very fortunate to do it so fast with the support of my community.
 @Bill Bill do they know how the dog knows its going to happen? The story did not mention what clues him in that an attack is going to happen. Dogs are amazing animals and I hope he lives a long life keeping you safe.
@FreedomRocks @Bill They think that when a person is in pre seizure activity that certain dogs can smell something. Or at least that was what we were told. I have a daughter with a seizure disorder. We had a cat years ago that would alert us if she was about to have a seizure and would start yowling and running back and forth to her and us.
 @FreedomRocks I was also wondering what you do when the dog alerts you? And what does he do if you have one that leaves you totally incapacitated? What an amazing story and I am so thankful that this miracle/blessing/gift was showered on you. Best wishes!
@Bill ........great informative post, Bill. Best of luck to you and Barley. Give him a big hug for me.
 @Bill We Love You Bill!!  You have given to this community through coaching our kids, many times over.
What a wonderful story. The citizens of White Slamon should be very very proud. Good luck Bill and ......................way to go Barley !
 @Rob CÂ
 @Rob C Thank you for the kind words Rob
How refreshing to read a possitive story for a change.
Best of luck to both of you and God Bless.
 @Leinenkugle's Thanks for your wishes of good luck ,sand yes, positive is a good thing isn't it
 @Leinenkugle'sÂ
Â
Ditto
 @jallardÂ
 @jallard thanks a bunch
How wonderful. Now he can get enough warning so he can get into a safe location/position so that he does not hurt himself during the seizure. What a great community!
 @Jenni S. The community has been incredible and yes, it has been wonderful to get in a safe position.  Thank you for your good words.