Among the nearly 300 members of the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) Panther Marching Band, one special member stands out, and it’s not due to her musical prowess. Instead, it’s due to her four legs and a wagging tail.

Winnie, a golden retriever service dog, is the loyal companion of sophomore Gabi Riessen, and together, they’ve taken the field in full marching band regalia, much to the delight of fans. Riessen’s journey with Winnie began 18 months ago.

A dedicated member of the color guard, Riessen relies on Winnie due to her postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a condition that causes dizziness, fatigue, and fainting when standing up too quickly.

Winnie is a golden retriever and has been with Gabi Riessen since she was a puppy. Photo by KCRG

According to the Cleveland Clinic, these symptoms occur due to a sudden increase in heart rate, and for Riessen, Winnie is trained to detect these changes before they happen. “For me, it means that I pass out randomly without warning, like my heart rate just fluctuates more than most people,” Riessen explained to ABC affiliate KCRG.

Winnie’s role is to notice changes in me before I pass out so I can get to a safe spot. She then lies next to me until I’m okay.”

Riessen, who initially attended a different college, faced challenges participating in band and theater due to her need for a service dog. After hearing positive things about UNI’s programs, she transferred and reached out to Justin Mertz, the director of the Panther Marching Band. Mertz welcomed Winnie into the band with open arms.

“As we talked through things, it became more and more clear to me that not only did I think that it would be OK, I actually thought we’d be able to make it work very, very well,” Mertz said. “I’m a music educator, and we believe that music is for everyone, and it’s our mission to provide these musical and educational opportunities for every single student.”

Despite the support, Riessen had initial concerns about how well Winnie would adapt to marching. “When I came in, we weren’t sure if I was going to march or if I was just going to be in the frontline,” she recalled. “Mertz said, ‘Let’s try it,’ and we did. Usually, Winnie isn’t spatially aware of things. But when we would march forward and backward, she picked it up with no problem,” she said.

Honestly, I think she’s a better marcher than me. She’s just really good at adapting to any situation I put her in.”

During performances, Winnie wears noise-canceling headphones to ensure she isn’t disturbed by the instruments around her. With these measures in place, Winnie thrives on the field. “There’s so many people watching her, and she eats it up,” Riessen said.

Gabi Riessen with her golden retriever service dog, Winnie. Photo by KCRG-TV9/YouTube

“She loves the attention. Every time I would walk by, the whole student section would ask, ‘Can I pet your dog?’ She just likes feeling helpful and useful,” she said.

For Riessen, having Winnie by her side has made all the difference. “Winnie has made it where I can be like a normal person again,” she shared. “I can do band because she’ll let me know if I’m okay, and I can go to my classes. Before her, we didn’t know if college was going to be an option.”

Through this partnership, Riessen is living proof that passion and perseverance can overcome any obstacle. “You can do what you put your mind to, no matter if you have a disability or not. Just going out there and doing it is what’s important,” she said.

Sources: People | Good Morning America