UNI MARCHING DOG PKG <DOOR OPENS NAT> Walking to class in the cold is a rite of passage for any underclassmen. <NAT OF WINNIE WALKING> But for this four- legged sophomore... <NAT OF WINNIE WALKING> It's her favorite part of the day. Gabi Riessen has become a bit of a local legend at Northern Iowa... in part because of the big K9 on Campus-- Winnie. <1123 GABI 15:11- 14"IT'S FUN TO WALK TO CLASS, AND PEOPLE WILL BE LIKE OH HI WINNIE."> Her service dog goes with Gabi to every Panther football game. <1193 GABI RIESSEN 28:53-55"WINNIE IS FAMOUS, I JUST HOLD THE OTHER END OF THE LEASH."> In her senior year of high school, Gabi was diagnosed with POTS syndrome-- a condition where the heart rate rapidly increases when sitting up or standing which can cause dizziness and in Gabi's case.. sudden fainting. <1193 GABI RIESSEN 27:05-09"I DON'T GET ANY WARNING, SO I CAN HURT MYSELF, AND SO IT'S HARD TO LIVE THAT EVERYDAY LIFE."> But Winnie is her watch dog-- <1193 GABI RIESSEN 35:58-02"IF IT'S MY HEART RATE, SHE'LL TYPICALLY JUMP UP AND BE LIKE HEY SIT DOWN."> trained to actually SMELL when Gabi's heart rate gets too high. As a freshman attending a different- -out of state-- university... Gabi was told she wouldn't be able to continue her passion-- <1193 GABI RIESSEN 24:48-53"THEY KIND OF ASKED ME NOT TO DO ANY KIND OF BAND, NOT TO DO THEATER BECAUSE WINNIE WAS THE PROBLEM."> That's why the duo started sniffing around Cedar Falls.. <NAT OF BAND DIRECTOR CONDUCTING FROM THE STANDS> to see if UNI could make it work. <ANOTHER NAT OF BAND DIRECTOR CONDUCTING FROM THE STANDS> <1192 JUSTIN MERTZ 3:10-13 "I WAS TRYING TO IMAGINE WHY THAT WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE."> Director Justin Mertz didn't hesitate. <1192 JUSTIN MERTZ 5:45-48"THIS IS MY FIRST DOG IN A MARCHING BAND" LAUGHS> <1193 GABI RIESSEN 26:35-38"BUT HE GOES, I HAVE A REALLY IMPORTANT QUESTION: WHAT'S WINNIE GOING TO WEAR?"> <BAND NAT SHOWING WINNIE IN FULL COSTUME> The answer to that was easy-- <NAT?> She dons the same aussie hat as everyone else-- plus a bandana to protect her ears from the noise. <PREGAME MARCHING NAT> So now every home game at the UNI- Dome-- Gabi AND Winnie take the field with the drumline. <NAT FROM CLIP 1230 AROUND 3:10> <1193 GABI RIESSEN 26:18-21"WINNIE IS NOT A SPATIALLY AWARE DOG NORMALLY."> <1193 GABI RIESSEN 26:23-28"BUT AS SOON AS WE GOT ON THE FIELD, IT WAS LIKE SHE WAS A PAST MARCHER IN LIKE A PAST LIFE."> The moments when Winnie is needed most are unpredictable-- but Gabi had never passed out during a game... <STAR SPANGLED BANNER NAT> But toward the end of the national anthem... you can see Winnie start to get just a little anxious... A warning sign for Gabi. <1227 58:47- CAN WE PUT A HIGHLIGHT ON WINNIE OR ZOOM INTO HER? LET IT PLAY OUT FOR HOWEVER LONG FEELS RIGHT> She runs off FEELS RIGHT> She runs off because Winnie knows what is about to happen. <1193 GABI RIESSEN 27:14-19"SHE WARNS ME IF MY HEART RATE IS TOO HIGH SO I CAN SIT DOWN, SHE'LL WARN ME IF I'M GOING TO PASS OUT."> After these situations-- Gabi says most of the time she only needs a few minutes to recover. <NAT FROM A CLIP OF HER WALKING INTO THE STANDS> And decides to stick it out. <NAT OF HER PLAYING THE CYMBALS IN THE STANDS> Gabi and Winnie have had their share of notoriety-- appearing in national publications like People Magazine and Good Morning America. But the musicians continue to share their story-- not for the fame-- but to spread hope for anyone going through something similar. <1193 GABI RIESSEN 32:16-26"I HOPE TO GIVE THEM THE CONFIDENCE THAT EVEN THOUGH YOU LIVE WITH THIS DISABILITY THAT WON'T GO AWAY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, YOU CAN DO THINGS. "> <1193 GABI RIESSEN 32:31-33"WHOEVER THEY ARE, I HOPE THEY'RE HAVING AS MUCH FUN AS I AM."> Being such a good dog can be tiring work-- even for a 2 year old Golden Retriever. <NAT OF WINNIE SLEEPING IN CLIP 1243> But the long days are filled with water breaks, belly rubs, and lots of walks. <WINNIE MARCHING NAT> What more could you ask for? <1193 GABI RIESSEN 31:05-08"I WON'T TAKE IT EVER FOR GRANTED LIKE THIS EXPERIENCE, I'M GRATEFUL FOR IT."> <1193 GABI RIESS
This is Iowa: Winnie the service dog is a star in the UNI marching band
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Updated: 6:55 PM CST Dec 20, 2024
Gabi Riessen, a student at the University of Northern Iowa, has become a local legend thanks to her service dog, Winnie. The four-legged sophomore accompanies Gabi everywhere, including Panthers football games, and has become a beloved figure on campus. "It's fun to walk to class, and people will be like, 'Oh, hi Winnie,'" Gabi said.Diagnosed with POTS syndrome in her senior year of high school, Gabi experiences sudden fainting spells due to rapid heart rate increases. Winnie, trained to detect these changes, alerts Gabi when her heart rate is too high. "If it's my heart rate, she'll typically jump up and be like, 'Hey, sit down,'" Gabi said.» MORE THIS IS IOWA: Visit the This Is Iowa page on vlog's website and follow the series on FacebookInitially, Gabi faced challenges at another out-of-state university, where she was discouraged from participating in band and theater due to her need for her service dog. However, at Northern Iowa, director of bands Justin Mertz welcomed them with open arms. "I was trying to imagine why that wouldn't be possible," he said, adding humorously, "This is my first dog in a marching band."Winnie dons an Aussie hat and bandana to protect her ears, joining Gabi on the field during home games. Despite the unpredictability of Gabi's condition, Winnie provides timely warnings, allowing Gabi to take necessary precautions.Their story has gained national attention, yet, Gabi and Winnie share their journey not for fame, but to inspire others facing similar challenges. "I hope to give them the confidence that even though you live with this disability that won't go away for the rest of your life, you can do things," Gabi said.Despite the demands of being a service dog, Winnie enjoys her days filled with water breaks, belly rubs, and walks. Gabi cherishes the experience, expressing gratitude for the support and love she feels at Northern Iowa. "I won't take it ever for granted like this experience. I'm grateful for it," she said.» More from the Dec. 20, 2024, episode of This Is Iowa:This Is Iowa: Hospice patient spreads joy by 'ducking' Jeep owners on special rideThis Is Iowa: Johnston's mayor runs 2,383 miles in one year to help feed her community This Is Iowa: Formerly homeless wrestler now achieving greatness, inspiring othersFull This Is Iowa episode from Dec. 20, 2024
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Gabi Riessen, a student at the University of Northern Iowa, has become a local legend thanks to her service dog, Winnie. The four-legged sophomore accompanies Gabi everywhere, including Panthers football games, and has become a beloved figure on campus.
"It's fun to walk to class, and people will be like, 'Oh, hi Winnie,'" Gabi said.
Diagnosed with POTS syndrome in her senior year of high school, Gabi experiences sudden fainting spells due to rapid heart rate increases.
Winnie, trained to detect these changes, alerts Gabi when her heart rate is too high.
"If it's my heart rate, she'll typically jump up and be like, 'Hey, sit down,'" Gabi said.
» MORE THIS IS IOWA: Visit the This Is Iowa page on vlog's website and follow the series on
Initially, Gabi faced challenges at another out-of-state university, where she was discouraged from participating in band and theater due to her need for her service dog.
However, at Northern Iowa, director of bands Justin Mertz welcomed them with open arms.
"I was trying to imagine why that wouldn't be possible," he said, adding humorously, "This is my first dog in a marching band."
Winnie dons an Aussie hat and bandana to protect her ears, joining Gabi on the field during home games. Despite the unpredictability of Gabi's condition, Winnie provides timely warnings, allowing Gabi to take necessary precautions.
Their story has gained national attention, yet, Gabi and Winnie share their journey not for fame, but to inspire others facing similar challenges. "I hope to give them the confidence that even though you live with this disability that won't go away for the rest of your life, you can do things," Gabi said.
Despite the demands of being a service dog, Winnie enjoys her days filled with water breaks, belly rubs, and walks. Gabi cherishes the experience, expressing gratitude for the support and love she feels at Northern Iowa. "I won't take it ever for granted like this experience. I'm grateful for it," she said.
» More from the Dec. 20, 2024, episode of This Is Iowa:
Full This Is Iowa episode from Dec. 20, 2024
