DETROIT – A Detroit woman and her retiring service dog were honored with the Spirit of Detroit award Tuesday.
The award is an honor given to those who have done great work in the city.
Marguerite Maddox, who is hearing impaired, and her dog Jello received the award for Maddox’s advocacy for accessibility in Detroit.
The Spirit of Detroit award was presented to the pair by Detroit City Council member James Tate at the City Council meeting.
"People with disabilities make up the fabric of our community just like everyone else, so I'm excited again about Marguerite's participation there,” Tate said.
Maddox and Jello have been together for 9 1/2 years. During that time, she has fought to make the city more handicap accessible. Her most recent fight was for better mobility access on the new QLINE.
She pushed for accessible buttons, as well as platforms that are accessible to wheelchairs and walkers.
Jello, 11, had a retirement party with other service dogs and a dog bone-shaped cake.
Maddox will get a new service dog from Paws With A Cause, a yellow lab which she named Scarlett.
