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Less than a year after going blind at 14 years old, Anastasia Pagonis made the decision that her life needed purpose. She found that purpose in the swimming pool with competitive swimming. Two years later, training for the 2021 Paralympics, Pagonis was gifted with a therapy dog, Radar, a Golden Retriever who provides her with independence while she is a resident athlete at the Olympic Paralympic Training Center in Colorado. Their match was made possible by the New York Islanders' Puppy with a Purpose program, the Guide Dog Foundation, volunteers and donations.
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