'Devoted' Woman And Service Dog Work To Educate Kids: Glen Cove Hero

GLEN COVE, NY — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented and changing times. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. We’re working to let all your neighbors know about these outstanding people and their stories.

This submission comes from Robert Rasky who nominated his girlfriend Mariah Leal of Glen Cove. Rasky tells Patch that Leal is a long-time fixture in the Glen Cove community, where she and her service dog help educate children to cut down on dog bites, in turn helping to keep dogs out of shelters.

Local hero’s full name Mariah Leal

Local hero’s home state New York

Local hero’s Patch Glen Cove

How do you know the local hero?

My girlfriend

What does the local hero do?

Mariah is now an author and speaker. She worked in the animal field until a head-on collision left her disabled. She didn't let it get her down. She used her knowledge and experience to write books for kids to educate them so she could help cut down on dog bites with kids and to help keep dogs out of shelters.

Though non-fiction her books are told through the eyes of her service dog Piper in a wonderful story form. She came out with another book called "Piper: A Dog with a Mission." She is currently working on another book involving Axxel her current service dog showing how to add a second dog to the household.

Mariah lived in Glen Cove for 28 years. Along with educating to cut down on dog bites Mariah wants families to know how a well-trained and socialized dog brings the family unit together. As well as being a saving grace to kids that come from a single parent home, are an only child, or a latch-key kid. Mariah grew up in all three categories so she knows how important this is.

Everyone in Glen Cove loved and knew Piper as her and Mariah were at all the events. Mariah looks forward to doing the same with Axxel but with covid they weren't able to do the presentations and so many events were cancelled. But they hope to get out & about to continue educating our children and families. Mariah and Piper received a citation from Mayor Reggie Spinello which made us all proud. Mariah wants nothing more than to continue her work with educating kids and their families to continue the mission Piper inspired to cut down on dog bites with kids and help keep dogs out of shelters.

Why do you believe the local hero should be recognized or honored?

I believe Mariah Leal should be honored because she found a way to contribute to our children and the community despite her disabilities. She had knowledge and experience that she didn't let become disabled because she was. She found a way to use it in a positive way, where it was needed. There are 4.7 million dog bites a year in the U.S. More than 50 percent are children. 80 percent of these bites occur in the home or with a dog the child knows through a friend or relative. And dog bites are the number two cause of ER visits for kids. She is constantly updating her knowledge and is committed to this cause. Mariah went thru a lot in her life and her dogs helped get her through. There were times her dogs were all she had. I am proud of her and support her mission 100 percent.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the local hero? She is strong, determined, a wonderful educator and is totally devoted to her cause. Thank you for all you do, Mariah Leal!

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile. Know someone making a difference in town? Nominate them as a local hero here.