Dylan Stewart approved for multipurpose service dog!
Dylan Stewart. Do you wonder why Dylan needs a service dog? Well, we will tell you. Dylan is a beautiful seven-year-old boy who just happens to being living the upside of life with Down syndrome. His red hair says a lot about him - he is "on fire" 24-7. He's up early, usually between 5-6, and goes all day strong, until he does his "crash and burn," typically about 7 or 8. He is whirlwind of energy and enjoys life to the fullest! While we love his zest for life, it is exhausting.
Although Dylan wants to explore his world, he doesn't usually do so in the safest way. He has no sense or understanding of environmental dangers, such as drowning, traffic, or the ill intentions of a stranger. In addition, Dylan has difficulty communicating with the world around him. He actually has a very large vocabulary and can speak clearly when motivated, but unless the proper prompts and cues are given, it can be difficult for him to communicate his needs, wants, and desires.
One of the things Dylan is famous for is his wandering. He has escaped his backyard, his home, a hotel room - the list could go on and on. When this happens, Dylan is subject to potentially dangerous situations if he is not found quickly. While most children will respond to their parents calls when they can't find them, Dylan does not. As a result, very close tabs are kept on Dylan and the stress level of mom and dad are extremely high when in public places, and while it decreases at home, it is always present.
Because Dylan cannot always communicate appropriately with the world, he can become easily frustrated. He has "meltdowns" in overwhelming situations, like school, church, and shopping. Many would describe his behavior as "being a brat," but he is just trying to tell us that he's "out-of-sync" and he needs help!
We believe that the Multi-Purpose Assistance Dog Dylan has been approved for will provide this help he is so desperately crying out for. One of Dylan's great loves is animals, especially dogs. He is drawn to them and is most content when he is with them. Dogs are calming for Dylan and they "reel-him-in" when he has "meltdowns". While the assistance dog will be of great benefit in aiding in the control of his behaviors, it will also bring some peace of mind to Mom and Dad because it will be trained to track Dylan.
Dylan is a growing boy and as his parents, we want him to gain more independence, but it is becoming more difficult for this to happen without extra help. We know in our hearts that there is a very special furry friend that will help Dylan grow and excel in ways we never thought possible. To bring Dylan’s furry friend home, we need to raise $13,000. Might you be able to help Dylan bring his furry friend home? We would greatly appreciate it and know you will be blessed in return for your generosity!
If you would like to learn more about Dylan’s journey, please visit 4paws4dylan.blogspot.com.
Note from Judy: 4 Paws for Ability is an amazing nonprofit organization located in Xenia, Ohio. It provides highly trained service dogs in many areas, but does require that approved families raise funds to train the dog. Please consider this child whose life will change significantly upon receiving an assistance dog. Read the testimonials. Reading them could change your life. It changed mine.