Apparently, no one told Emily that dogs are supposed to be man's best friend.

As the 11-year-old led her dog Sadie around the room, her beaming grin was the biggest hint that the fluffy white Labradoodle was more than a service dog; she was a friend.

Although Sadie is the family pet for Emily Dragos, she was purchased with the intention of being trained to help the young girl, who suffers from an unknown genetic syndrome that brings a plethora of health problems, affecting mobility and socialization.

"A service dog is more demanding because it's a working dog," said Rob Hanlon, owner of Hanlon's K-9, who was working with co-owner Barbara Crumley to train Sadie. "She'll be trained to retrieve certain things and assist Emily with mobility."

Although the cost to train a service dog ranges from $15,000 to $30,000, Hanlon and Crumley agreed to donate their services to help the Dragos family, who are already burdened with significant medical expenses.

Emily, a fertility baby, was born to Michele and Dennis Dragos nine weeks early, and still weighed 4 pounds three months later. She was tube-fed for the first four years of life, and now suffers from medical problems including mild cerebral palsy with some right-side weakness; microcephaly; asthma; apraxia; global developmental delay; ocular motor apraxia; hypertension; life-threatening ventricular tachycardia, for which she takes ACE inhibitors and beta blockers; a body temperature disregulation; gastro-esophageal reflux; external rotation of both tibias and tight heel cords, and scoliosis.

However, despite the fact that she did not smile for the first six months she was alive, she has been smiling ever since, Michele Dragos said.

"Financially, it's been a struggle," Dragos said. "We had to take out loans and mortgages, but you do what you have to do."

In addition to Emily's disabilities, their other daughter, Natalie, 10, suffers from celiac, which is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine that generally requires a gluten-free diet.

"I was willing to do anything, so a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders," she said, describing her feelings toward Hanlon and Crumley. "I don't think anyone has ever done anything so generous."

While Emily, a student at the School for Children in Eatontown, tends to be shy, her mother said she is a totally different person around babies and animals.

"I think (Sadie) will give Emily a little more independence not having to rely on Mom, Dad and her sister for everything," Dragos said, adding that Sadie will have a harness with a bar for Emily to lean on. "Hopefully, Sadie will give Emily the initiative to walk. With time, that might even strengthen her legs."

Hanlon said Sadie will assist Emily with walking and mobility, have a pack to carry Emily's books, and will stay with her in class.

He said service dogs are usually trained for a year or longer, and he spends six days a week training Sadie with commands, such as remaining standing until Emily has sat, or extreme obedience training near traffic and loud noises.

Hanlon said any school can certify a service dog, and there are no state requirements for it.