"The best way I can describe it is the tingling feeling you get when your foot falls asleep, I have that all of the time," said Murello.

That's where her four-legged partner and friend comes in.

Hogan is a three-year-old Golden Retriever specially trained to make Murello's life a little easier. Hogan can grasp some objects that may be out of reach for Murello such as light switches or a dropped pencil. Murello said that the bond built between the two goes deeper than a working relationship.

"A lot of it is almost therapy for me. Just to sit and brush him or clean his ears or teeth. I'm using that dexterity that I otherwise would be losing if I wasn't using. Plus, he's pretty funny. He's always good for a laugh," said Murello.

Murello said she's worked with other very capable dogs before Hogan but it was the symbiotic relationship forged between the two that made Hogan the right fit for her.

"With Hogan, I can tell he's relying on me as much as I'm relying on him. And I feel it was a lot easier to form a close bond with Hogan," said Murello.

Hogan has also brought Murello peace of mind. She knows that should she ever find herself in a situation where she needed help, Hogan would be there.

Murello works at a company called International Medical Group. She said they've done a great job adjusting to Hogan. When he arrived in February, they even named him as a new employee in the company newsletter.

Hogan is actually still in training. He and Murello will have to pass a public access certification test to officially become a working team. But whatever challenges these two face, for the time being, they'll have each other.

For more information on the Animal Assisted Activity Therapy Program visit www.pawsandthink.org.