Jeffrey Lever has broken his neck five times. 

A few years ago, paralyzed and facing broken neck number five, he was getting a little depressed. Then he got McGuire.

The 5-year-old golden retriever has been a lifesaver in more ways than one. He once fetched help when Lever, a Maine native now living in Arizona, fell and was knocked unconscious. And he’s given Lever a new purpose in life: telling people about the wonderful work of assistance dogs. 

Lever now works with Power Paws Assistance Dogs in Arizona, spreading the word about canines like McGuire.

“He came along. He did a lot to save me,” Lever said.

Name: Jeffrey Lever

Age: My mother always told me to always tell the truth, plus I have plenty of family and friends around Lewiston. I’m 56.

Hometown: Lewiston

Current town: Chandler, Ariz., just outside of Phoenix

Married/single/relationship: I married a great lady from Lewiston, Tammy Simard Lever. This July will be 29 years.

How were you paralyzed? I became paralyzed in a diving accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury. In the course of 12 years I broke my neck four more times, for a total of five. One was diving, three were car accidents and one was at a concert in Phoenix. That’s a long story, but I must hold the record for neck injuries!

How did you get involved with assistance dogs? I met a police officer who was wounded in the line of duty and he had a assistance dog. After a long talk with him and many questions, I got my assistance dog.

What work do you do now with assistance dogs? I’m on the board of directors for Power Paws Assistance Dogs (www.azpowerpaws.org). Go there and see a short film I was in. I help with fund raising, speaking to the public and just about everything to promote Power Paws and get the word out about our dogs and helping children and adults become more independent.

Did you always love dogs? Yes, we always had dogs growing up in Lewiston.

Tell me about your own assistance dog. My service dog’s name is McGuire. He is a golden retriever. He knows about 100 commands. He is the most friendly, gentle, helping and loving dog I could ask for. He is the most well-behaved dog I’ve ever had.

What’s the most impressive thing he can do? There are so many things he does that it’s very hard to pick one. Most people are in awe when he takes off my shoes and socks or my shirt. I tend to drop a lot of things because of my hand grip function. McGuire picks up anything I drop and gives it right back to me. But I guess the most impressive thing to me is every morning he lays by my bed and waits for me wake up, and he’s right there ready to go! But my wife would tell you what impresses her the most is that he puts my dirty clothes in the laundry basket.

But does he still bark at squirrels and ask for belly rubs? McGuire doesn’t bark unless told to or giving me a warning. As far as belly rubs, once you start to pet him he won’t let you stop. If you do, he’ll pick up his paw and give you a little nudge to keep going.

Tell me about the Kennel Club award that you won. Well I didn’t win it, McGuire won it. He was nominated and won an ACE Award for service. The dog saved my life in 2011 when I fell and got knocked out. He waited by me ’til he saw a neighbor come home and went and got them. The dog is something special.

I’ve never seen an assistance cat. Why do you think that is? Cats are too smart. They just lay around all day and eat and sleep. Some don’t even go outside to the bathroom.