Roselle: The Guide Dog Who Led Her Handler — and Dozens More — Out of the Twin Towers

New York City — Amid the terror and devastation of September 11, 2001, a quiet hero emerged — not in uniform, but on four paws. Roselle, a yellow Labrador guide dog, became a symbol of courage and loyalty when she led her blind handler, Michael Hingson, and more than 30 others to safety from the 78th floor of the North Tower.

As the building trembled and smoke filled the stairwell, fear rippled through the crowd. Yet Roselle never faltered. Calm, steady, and focused, she guided Michael step by step through the chaos. At one point, when a woman’s panic nearly froze her in place, Roselle nudged gently at her side. The small gesture carried immense weight — enough reassurance for the woman to keep moving, to keep living.

Together, they descended 1,463 steps. When they finally emerged onto the streets, debris rained from above, and the second tower collapsed nearby. Still, Roselle stayed firm, guiding Michael through the ash and rubble until they reached safety.

Roselle continued her service until 2007 and passed away in 2011, but her legacy lives on. Her story reminds us that true heroism isn’t measured in size, strength, or fame — it is found in devotion, in courage under unthinkable pressure, and in love that acts without hesitation.

On that day, Roselle was more than a guide dog. She was a lifeline, a steady heartbeat in the storm, and a hero whose courage continues to inspire the world.