NEW YORK (VINnews) — Twenty-five years after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Michael Hingson still credits his yellow Labrador retriever, Roselle, with guiding him and others to safety from the 78th floor of the World Trade Center’s north tower.

Hingson, blind since birth, worked as a regional sales manager for a data-storage company. Roselle, his fifth guide dog, had been paired with him in 1999 and routinely accompanied him to the office.

That morning Hingson was preparing a conference room when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the building several floors above. The tower swayed. A loud boom rattled the office.

Roselle emerged from under the desk, calm and wagging her tail. Hingson took her leash, told her to heel, and they headed for the stairwell with colleague David Frank.

The descent covered more than 1,400 steps through smoke and the smell of burning jet fuel. Crowds filled the stairs. Firefighters passed going up. Hingson kept praising the dog to keep her focused and to project calm.

Near the 50th floor, Frank voiced despair. Hingson replied that if he and Roselle could keep going, so could everyone else. Other evacuees later told him they followed the confident voice and the dog.

They reached the lobby as the south tower was hit. Outside, falling debris and the roar of collapse filled the air. Roselle suddenly stopped at the top of stairs leading into the Fulton Street subway station. The pair took shelter underground. Police later escorted them out.

That night at home in New Jersey, Roselle picked up a toy and played with Hingson’s retired guide dog.

The story drew worldwide attention. Hingson became a speaker and co-author of the book “Thunder Dog.” Roselle received the American Kennel Club’s Award for Canine Excellence in 2002. She died in June 2011 at age 14.

Hingson has said the dog’s composure that day showed how fear can be managed rather than allowed to paralyze. He continues to speak about trust, training and remaining focused under pressure.

Roselle’s work that morning illustrated the training and partnership that define successful guide-dog teams.