"He'll breathe on me or lay his head across mine to wake me up," she said of her 55-pound companion. "If I'm in a bad mood, he'll come over and insist I play with his toy or lay his lead in my lap or lick my feet -- cheer me up."

Cortani said the difference between the Haeffner of five months ago and the Haeffner of today is like "night and day."

She builds friendships. She's been to the aquarium. She's gone horseback riding. She goes places without her boyfriend.

"She's creating her own new normal," Cortani said.

Added Haeffner: "I'm much better now. I'm happier."