Hero dog dials 911, saves blind owner from house fire

A service dog in Philadelphia saved her owner’s life after a fire broke out in their home. Yolanda, a Labrador retriever, used a specialized phone to call for help, then pulled the elderly blind woman out of the burning house.

This was the second time Yolanda saved her owner’s life. She also called 911 after her owner fell inside the house and lost consciousness last year, Jen Leary of the Red Paw Emergency Relief Team told local TV station WCAU.

Red Paw, which specializes in helping animals displaced by fire and other residential disasters, has collected food, toys, treats and other supplies for Yolanda. Her owner, a blind woman in her 60s, is being assisted by the American Red Cross.

The fire broke out on Thursday morning on the 4300 block of Oakmont Street, in the northeast Philadelphia neighborhood of Holmesburg. Officials said that thanks to Yolanda’s call, firefighters were able to respond quickly and put out the fire. The woman was taken to Nazareth Hospital, where she was treated for smoke inhalation.

Service dogs such as Yolanda often help people with disabilities ranging from the physical to the mental and emotional. They are recognized by Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as working animals, rather than pets.