Photographer captures moment service dog calms bride down before vows

And, that it’s a picture of a friend and a client makes it that much better.

Fox News reports that Maddie Peschong of Mad Photo and Design didn’t expect to see a photo she captured of a service dog calming down a bride before her wedding be such a hit.

Nothing could have prepared the part-time photographer for the public response to the photo of the bride and tutu-clad dog.

It’s said that a photograph is worth a thousand words. In this story, it couldn’t be more true. “We’re viral, ‘” bride Valerie Parrott said. She’s been trained to recognize warning signs for panic disorder, anxiety and migraines among other things.

“I think it’s had such a positive effect because it captures such an awesome bond between a service dog and her handler”, Parrott said.

Shortly before the wedding ceremony, Bella’s anxiety sense was tingling.

Peschong works full-time as an account coordinator at Click Rain, a Sioux Falls advertising agency.

Something that still leaves both women in disbelief.

Peschong said it’s a new experience to have masses of people view her work online. When I posted it, I thought this is a sweet photo of a girl and her dog. Val needs to see this. “I thought it was cool my grandma liked it so much let alone Mashable.com”, photographer Maddie Peschong said.

The photo has helped bring attention to service dogs and the role they play in their owners’ lives.

Bella is a huge part of Val’s life, so naturally, was a huge part of the wedding day. She even has her own blog detailing the life of a service dog team.

“My life wouldn’t be the same without her. With Bella and because of our partnership, I have been able to live my life to the fullest that I normally wouldn’t have been able to have done”, said Parrott.

Valerie is taken aback by the attention the photos have received. She didn’t quite write 1,000 words on “waking up (almost) famous” – about half that, actually – but described the opportunity it gave her to discuss the importance of service animals, despite the nervousness of facing such a broad audience, even mentioning Bella wanted her to take a break from writing the post.