For seven months Lindsay Myers and her two kids DJ and Hannah raised a black Labrador retriever named Dale. Their four-legged furry friend joined them at swim meets, the bowling alley and other destinations near their Pennsylvania home.
"It was love at first sight," Lindsay told TODAY. "It wasn't long before he became a member of the family."
She's the director of development for Canine Partners for Life, an organization whose mission is training service dogs for people with disabilities.
"After two years of loving, raising and training Dale, it was time for him to meet his new life partner," Lindsay said.
Now Dale lives in West Virginia with April Childers, a musician and violin teacher who lives with multiple sclerosis and a cardiac condition.
"Before Dale came along there were a lot of things I was afraid to do," April told Kathie Lee and Hoda on TODAY on Friday. "That's all different now. He's always looking out for me."
Dale is a loyal companion to April, but still remembers all the love the Myers family gave. After being separated for a year, Lindsay, DJ and Hannah reunited with Dale on TODAY.
WATCH: Service dog's touching reunion with family
"It's crazy!" Lindsay said while an overjoyed Dale wagged his tail back and forth buried his head at her feet.
"We miss him, but seeing the work that he is doing is rewarding."
Follow TODAY digital dude Kyle Michael Miller on Twitter.