Our Mission


As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, Major’s Miracle Network works in conjunction with Absolute Control Dog Training to provide full service protection and emotional support dogs to victims of sexual assault in the belief that meeting your own “Major” will be the start on a path to independence, empowerment and fulfillment in your life that you may be looking for.

My Story

Lori Porter, Founder & Survivor


I truly learned the healing power of dogs after my life changed forever on the early morning of September 24, 2005 when I awoke to a man’s hand over my mouth. At first, I thought I might have been dreaming or that someone was playing a joke on me. I then realized I was in real trouble. I started to panic and asked him what he was doing there. He told me he was there to rape me. He also told me that someone else was in the kitchen and knew there were children in the basement. Those children in the basement were my son, Ryan, and three of his friends. He instructed me not to scream and do what he said, or he would kill the children. I did not scream. I did not fight back. I just laid there and let him do to me what he wanted. I had never been so scared in my entire life. I never really saw his face as it was dark in my room except for the closet door which he had opened a crack. All I saw was a dark shadow. But his voice, that voice still haunts me to this day. I will never forget his voice or the words that he said to me.

The night after the rape is when I had my first panic attack and my living nightmare began.  I could not be alone.  I could not shower without having someone right outside the door or in the bathroom with me.  I could not go out after dark.  I was emotionally and physically paralyzed.  The panic attacks were frequent.  I did see a psychiatrist who prescribed for me anti-anxiety pills, sleeping pills and depression medication.  I tried to go to support groups, but they only made me more depressed.  If I heard a man’s voice similar to his, it would send me into a panic attack.  I thought about committing myself to get real professional help as I could not deal with the constant anxiety, panic attacks and extreme fear.  I contemplated suicide on more than one occasion because I didn’t think I would ever be able to have my normal life back again.

I started to research personal protection dogs.   I was then introduced to a local K9 Police Officer, Perry Parks, who trained personal protection and police dogs.  I had no idea that he would eventually give me my life back.  I then started the interview process so I could tell him my needs and what I really needed in a dog.  The next time he came to my house, he brought a dog over for me to meet and to see how we were together.  That is the day where my life forever changed for the better.  That is the day I met Major. Major was a beautiful, but imposing, black and tan German Shepherd.  He weighed over 90 pounds and was almost as tall as me when he stood on his hind legs.

Of course, I was afraid of him at first.  Perry left him with my son and I for a few hours and we were both scared to death.  But somehow, I knew he was the dog for me and the bonding process began.  We went through about six weeks of training together.  Major and I went through extensive training; including basic obedience, attention to command, and scenario training which also involved training in public places.   On November 152005, my birthday, he officially came home with me.  I immediately felt a sense of security in my own home.  I slowly began to live my life again.  I took Major with me everywhere.  He traveled with me, went to the grocery store, even to the bathroom!  He was my constant shadow and protector.  Major gave me my life back.  I can honestly say Major saved my life.  I will forever be grateful to Perry Parks.  He brought my savior into my life.

I believe if I never had Major, I would not be here today sharing my experience.  The healing power of a dog is so amazing. I would like everyone who is a victim of sexual assault to have the same feelings and sense of security I had with Major in my life.

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