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Service dog agency sues to get animal back

ROCHESTER, N.Y., June 5 (UPI) -- A Pennsylvania service dog agency has sued an Episcopal priest seeking the return of the dog she has had for almost six years.

The Rev. Claire Wimbush, who just resigned as curate of Christian education at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Rochester, N.Y., is confined to a wheelchair, The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported Wednesday. She has spastic cerebral palsy quadriplegia.

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Canine Partners for Life in Cochranville, Pa., would not comment on the specifics of the case. But the group told the newspaper people with service dogs, which cost around $27,000 by the time they are fully trained, must keep in regular contact and report on their dogs.

Wimbush, who is moving from Rochester to her native Virginia to be closer to her mother, said she would probably be unable to live on her own without Willa, a 10-year-old yellow Labrador.

"We have a wonderful partnership," sje said. "She's a great dog, and we've been very successful."

The lawsuit was filed last month in Pennsylvania. Wimbush is representing herself.

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