Story Archive

Who’s a Good Boy?

After a climbing accident, Tracy Duncan Hickey, 58, of Ft. Collins, Colo., had to have her leg amputated. She posted news of the upcoming surgery on Facebook; a friend saw it, and had a suggestion. Lisa Peretti Bishop of Northwest Disaster Search Dogs in Seattle, Wash., hoped Duncan-Hickey would donate her amputated leg to help train search dogs. “Sure, take my leg,” she responded. “I’m done with it.” The Colorado FEMA Task Force received the leg to help train search dogs for disasters, such as earthquakes. Task force leader Rod Tyus says it’s rare to get human body parts to help train the dogs. “We’d be lucky if it’s once every few years.” He invited Duncan-Hickey to come and watch the dogs being trained with her leg, and she decided to go. “I’m just hoping the dog doesn’t sniff me, then bring the leg to me,” she said. (RC/Fort Collins Coloradoan) ...Or worse, decide “Here’s another leg!”