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Dennis Schmitz looks on as dog trainer Virgil Miles works with Roy, a 3-year-old border collie that will be Mr. Schmitz’s service dog. The Pets Helping Agriculture in Rural Missouri (PHARM) program helps those with disabilities in agriculture.

PARNELL, Mo. — Dennis Schmitz has hired a farmhand named Roy to help corral rambunctious sheep and cattle on his Northeast Nodaway County property.

He does need a chore hound like Roy — who in this case is a 3-year-old border collie specially trained to herd livestock. His four-year wait for such a service animal became reality Tuesday morning.

In 1999, Mr. Schmitz was severely injured in a tractor accident that left him with a broken neck, shattered right arm, and other major injuries. A dog like Roy can come in handy for those physically limited in the aftermath of serious injuries, according to Jackie Allenbrand, AgraAbility specialist for PHARM, a program by Midland Empire Resources for Independent Living.

PHARM stands for Pets Helping Agriculture in Rural Missouri. The AgrAbility Project was created nationally to assist those with disabilities who work in agriculture by promoting their independence in rural living.

“It’s just starting out,” she said. “We’re hoping to develop it and grow.”

The project could eventually be incorporated into the national AgrAbility program.

Mrs. Allenbrand and a small group of onlookers helped introduce Roy to Mr. Schmitz at his farm between Parnell and Ravenwood. The collie is the new program’s first animal to be given to a Northwest Missouri farmer.

“Thanks for hanging on,” Mrs. Allenbrand said, referring to Roy’s placement at the farm.

The gratitude was evident as Mr. Schmitz — who still has plates on his lower right arm — began familiarizing himself with Roy in a livestock pen.

“I appreciate it very much,” he said. “It means a lot to me, (and) to the people who help me .... We work animals every week.”

A starter grant in 2005 helped MERIL and University Extension initiate the program, Mrs. Allenbrand said. It takes time to train border collies and their owners in various commands.

“They’re not charging the program a dime,” she said of trainers.

Although demonstrating his ability to move sheep, Roy still must work on commands in a few weeks. Border collies can be trained to fetch, gather and direct livestock at their owner’s whim.

“These sheep are not all dog broke yet,” Mrs. Allenbrand said.

Service dogs can also be taught to help farmers with retrieving tools and other tasks. Sandy Rickey of Odessa showed how her 8-year-old Wire Mouth Heeler named Barbwire Abe assists at her farm.

“At home, he opens gates for me,” Ms. Rickey said. “It’s like having an automatic gate opener.... One of the best and most helpful things you can teach a dog is to retrieve.”

Abe has even managed to pick up dropped identification cards. He gripped and dragged a shovel by the handle as part of a demonstration for the crowd. He also helps move dairy goats, lambs and chickens.

“What I need isn’t necessarily what everybody else needs,” Mrs. Rickey said. “He’ll break up a bull fight,” she added of another example of his skill.

A farmer in Wright County in southwest Missouri is next on PHARM’s list to acquire one of the service dogs, Mrs. Allenbrand said. A border collie pup named Lucy was also present at the Schmitz farm and will be trained for a disabled Missouri farmer.

Contact Mrs. Allenbrand at 279-8558 or (800) 242-9326 for more information on PHARM, or e-mail her at JackieA@meril.org.

Ray Scherer can be reached at rscherer@npgco.com.