Where are Daniel O’Neil and Ruby Today?

Where are Daniel O’Neil and Ruby Today? ‘Rescued by Ruby,’ directed by Katt Shea, is a famous Netflix drama film that tells the story of Rhode Island State Police Trooper Daniel O’Neil and his dog Ruby. He spared her from being euthanized at a shelter and trained her to be one of the state’s greatest search and rescue dogs. Ruby was also named the American Humane Society’s 2018 Search and Rescue Hero Dog. Do you want to know how the dynamic pair is doing right now? Let’s take a look and see what we can find out!

Who are Daniel O’Neil and Ruby?

Where are Daniel O’Neil and Ruby Today? Daniel O’Neil enrolled in the police school in 2004 with the goal of one day joining the Rhode Island State Police’s K-9 team. His aim was realized in 2011 when he was selected as a member of the unit following years of hard training for canine trainer certification. Daniel was tasked with training Ruby, an eight-month-old Australian Shepherd/border collie mix rescued from a local shelter that year.

Ruby arrived at the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals when she was barely 4-5 months old, and her adoptive families returned her five times due to her energetic and rebellious nature. Every time she returned, Patricia Inman, an SPCA volunteer, fostered her and attempted to train her for her problematic behavioral tendencies. She also intervened on multiple occasions when Ruby was scheduled for euthanasia.

Patricia and RISPCA investigator Joseph Wazrycha thought the dog had a lot of positive energy that might be put to good use. Joseph approached Rhode Island State Police Trooper Matthew Zarrella, who was in charge of the department’s K-9 unit’s formation and training, only two hours before Ruby was to be euthanized for being “unadoptable.” Matthew is a proponent of incorporating shelter dogs in the unit, so he opted to adopt Ruby.

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As a result, Daniel was partnered with the sweet puppy, and he began diligently teaching her. Both Ruby and Daniel found it difficult to gain each other’s trust and develop an understanding at first, but with his determination and her desire and optimism, they were quickly able to overcome any difficulties. Daniel, who suffers from dyslexia and ADHD, could relate to Ruby’s actions. She succeeded in the academy and graduated at the top of her class despite not being a purebred German Shepherd like other K-9 dogs.

Lifeworks in mysterious ways, as Ruby discovered in October 2017 when she assisted in the recovery of Patricia’s adolescent son in Glocester, who had gone missing for 36 hours after going on a trip. Ruby assisted Daniel and the team in locating and rescuing the youngster, who was discovered severely injured deep in the woods. Patricia was overjoyed not just to see her son again but also to see Ruby after such a long time.

Where are Daniel O’Neil and Ruby Today?

Where are Daniel O’Neil and Ruby Today? Ruby currently resides in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, with Daniel, his wife Melissa, and their two sons. She’s been his partner for 11 years and counting, and the two have successfully accomplished several rescue missions, including assisting in the conviction of two murderers based on evidence she discovered. Daniel was promoted to Corporal in 2020 and now oversees the department’s K-9 division and training. He oversees a team of 18 dogs and 17 handlers with expertise in search and rescue, drugs and narcotics, bomb detection, and comfort dogs.

Ruby has traveled with Daniel all over the country to advocate for the adoption of rescue dogs and has accompanied him on runs since garnering attention as a result of her title in 2018. She has also been on the ‘Today Show’ and the cover of the ‘Rhode Island Monthly’ magazine. She has, however, committed her fair share of trouble, such as when she ran away in December 2018 and was discovered in a neighbor’s yard after a 19-hour search. In addition, in 2020, a drunk Jeep driver slammed into Daniel and Ruby’s off-duty vehicle, resulting in an accident. Fortunately, she was unharmed, but he was left with five fractured ribs.

Aside from Ruby, Daniel has another rescue trainee and a white Swiss Shepherd named Koda. He will be eternally grateful to Ruby, who has changed his life, he said in an interview. “Ruby is a one-of-a-kind individual. I never imagined a dog could make such a significant difference in my life… He went on to say, “She has made me more patient, humbled, and passionate about my profession as a Rhode Island state trooper.” Their touching story was also featured in Louise DuArt and Squire D. Rushnell’s book ‘Dogwinks: True Godwink Stories of Dogs and the Blessings They Bring,’ published in 2021. They are still serving the Rhode Island community together now.

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