Winnie stands next to Riessen, her cowboy hat fitted, earplugs in and her uniform on. Riessen takes the front line of the marching band, cymbals in hand. Winnie stays calm, cool and collected.

At the home games for the University of Northern Iowa, spectators will see a new face — maybe a wagging tail — in the Panther Marching Band. Winnie, a service dog for 20-year-old Gabi Riessen ...

“Anyone can join the band, but you do have to try out for your uniform, so it does mean there’s a lot of hard work involved,” says Rob Bennett, a managing director, who joined the band as a ...