When Bailey meets eight-year-old Ethan, he quickly figures out his purpose: to play with the boy, to explore the Farm during summers with the boy, and to tidy the boy's dishes by licking them clean (only when Mom isn't watching). But Bailey soon learns that life isn't always so simple--that sometimes bad things happen--and that there can be no greater purpose than to protect the boy he loves.

"Mary's new in town and worried about starting clases at a new school. So her mom called the Helper Hounds--and that is why Sparkplug, the wildly handsome, wickedly smart, world famous Helper Hound, is on the scene. Includes fun facts and information about the mixed dog breed, border collie and Bernese mountain dog"--

"The true story of Iggy, a special dog who helps kids get through difficult times. When children disclose abuse, they often navigate an unfamiliar chain of events, sometimes testifying in court. Iggy is a specially-trained facilitator dog, and his job is to make each child he meets comfortable with the job they have to do."--

Josie is timid at school, comfortable at home, and confident when she and her dog Clementine are volunteering at the pediatric ward of the local hospital; Oscar is acting out and in trouble at school, miserable at home, and forced to volunteer as a punishment; Gabby is popular at school, but her perfect life is threatened because she is hiding a dangerous medical condition--but at the hospital the three children are brought together by Clementine...