{"id":626,"date":"2026-03-06T13:38:49","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T18:38:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dogtopia.com\/virginia-norfolk-ghent\/?p=626"},"modified":"2026-03-06T13:38:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T18:38:49","slug":"the-story-of-roselle-a-hero-dog-who-showed-the-true-strength-of-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dogtopia.com\/virginia-norfolk-ghent\/the-story-of-roselle-a-hero-dog-who-showed-the-true-strength-of-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"The Story of Roselle: A Hero Dog Who Showed the True Strength of Dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dogs are amazing creatures. <\/span><\/h3>\n
At Dogtopia of Norfolk-Ghent, we don\u2019t just say that \u2014 we truly believe it.<\/span><\/h6>\n

Our Noble Cause is to enhance the joy of pet parenthood and enable dogs to positively change our world<\/strong>.<\/span> We live the first part of that mission every day. Our daycare doesn\u2019t just help dogs burn energy; it helps them socialize, build confidence, and develop trust. A happy, well-rounded pup helps create a happier home, and that\u2019s what makes pet parenthood so special.<\/p>\n

The second half of our Noble Cause \u2014 enabling dogs to positively change our world \u2014 is something we support through the Dogtopia Foundation<\/strong><\/span>, which raises funds to help place service dogs with veterans. These incredible partnerships can improve lives in ways that are truly life-changing.<\/p>\n

In celebration of International Women\u2019s Month<\/strong><\/span>, we wanted to highlight a very special service dog whose courage reminds us just how extraordinary dogs can be: Roselle<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Roselle was a yellow Labrador guide dog who worked with her handler, Michael Hingson, who is blind. Together they navigated everyday life in New York City, commuting to work and moving through the busy world with the quiet teamwork that defines the bond between a guide dog and their human.<\/p>\n

On the morning of September 11, 2001<\/strong><\/span>, Michael and Roselle arrived at their office on the 78th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Roselle settled comfortably under Michael\u2019s desk, just as she did every day.<\/p>\n

Then the unimaginable happened.<\/p>\n

When the first plane struck the tower, chaos and confusion filled the building. In that moment of crisis, Roselle did exactly what she had been trained to do \u2014 she remained calm, focused, and steady.<\/p>\n

Through smoke, noise, and fear, Roselle guided Michael and a group of people down 78 flights of stairs \u2014 more than 1,400 steps \u2014 to safety<\/strong><\/span>. The descent took over an hour. While the world around them felt uncertain and frightening, Roselle stayed composed and determined, focused only on leading her handler safely out of the building.<\/p>\n

Witnesses later shared that Roselle not only guided the group to safety but also brought a sense of calm and comfort during the long journey down.<\/p>\n

Roselle continued working as Michael\u2019s guide dog for six more years before retiring in 2007. She passed away in 2011, but her legacy of courage and loyalty lives on.<\/p>\n

For her bravery, Roselle received the Dickin Medal<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span>, often called the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross. She was also named American Hero Dog of the Year<\/strong><\/span> by the American Humane<\/span><\/span> in 2011.<\/p>\n

Her story was later shared in the book Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span>, written by Michael Hingson.<\/p>\n

Roselle\u2019s story reminds us of the incredible strength, loyalty, and quiet bravery that dogs bring into our lives. At Dogtopia of Norfolk-Ghent, we see small examples of that courage every day \u2014 in the shy pup who learns to trust, the dog who comforts a friend, or the joyful companion who brightens someone\u2019s life.<\/p>\n

Dogs may not always make headlines like Roselle did, but they change our world in meaningful ways every single day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dogs are amazing creatures. At Dogtopia of Norfolk-Ghent, we don\u2019t just say that \u2014 we truly believe it. Our Noble Cause is to enhance the joy of pet parenthood and enable dogs to positively change our world. We live the first part of that mission every day. Our daycare doesn\u2019t just help dogs burn energy; … Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1129,"featured_media":628,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[39,40],"fimg_url":"https:\/\/s3-prod.dogtopia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/462\/2026\/03\/Roselle-Website.png","yoast_head":"\nThe Story of Roselle: A Hero Dog Who Showed the True Strength of Dogs - Norfolk - Ghent<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The inspiring story of Roselle, the heroic guide dog who led her owner to safety on 9\/11, and how dogs continue to change lives at Dogtopia of Norfolk-Ghent.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dogtopia.com\/virginia-norfolk-ghent\/the-story-of-roselle-a-hero-dog-who-showed-the-true-strength-of-dogs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Story of Roselle: A Hero Dog Who Showed the True Strength of Dogs\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The inspiring story of Roselle, the heroic guide dog who led her owner to safety on 9\/11, and how dogs continue to change lives at Dogtopia of Norfolk-Ghent.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.dogtopia.com\/virginia-norfolk-ghent\/the-story-of-roselle-a-hero-dog-who-showed-the-true-strength-of-dogs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Norfolk - 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