Bradley Shonkwiler doesn’t speak…needs Autism Service Dog
Five-year-old Bradley Shonkwiler was three when he was diagnosed with autism. In his situation, he doesn’t speak, or indicate when he’s hurt, hungry, or upset. He just “acts out,” and his parents are left trying to figure out what’s wrong.
One day, after about two days of his crying, his mother took him to the emergency room. They finally discovered that that his bowels were full and he couldn’t potty on his own. It was a terrible experience for him. And for those who love him.
His constant companions at home are his parents, his 16-year-old brother, 12-year-old sister, and nine-year-old sister. The older kids enjoy playing with Bradley. He loves chasing them and getting piggy back rides, in fact, the piggy back rides are his favorite activity.
Near the end of 2009, Bradley’s mother, Tracey, heard about 4 Paws for Ability while attending an Easter Seals event in Dayton, Ohio. “The gentleman who runs the event is paraplegic,” she says, “and he has a service dog through another organization. Bradley had been crying the entire time we were there until the service dog took notice and licked Bradley’s face. After that, we could’ve stayed all day.”
The entire idea of a service dog became interesting, and in a month or two, after some serious research, Bradley’s parents applied to 4 Paws for Ability. His parents hope that with intensive home therapy, he will gain fluid communication whether it is with speech or sign language. They also hope that Bradley will learn some independence. They hope and dream that their son will be a functional young man when he comes of age.
“I’m hoping,” says Tracey, “that by having a service dog for Bradley that he’ll want to stay in our world for longer periods of time that he won’t want to go to that other world that only he can see, and that through that four-legged friend he will want to become a part of this world more and more.”
Bradley has been approved for the placement of an Autism Service Dog. As a part of the application process, his parents have agreed to partner with 4 Paws to fund raise at least $13,000 to see that he has an Autism Service dog.
You can help make Bradley’s family’s dream come true by making a tax-deductible donation (by mail or the website) in the name of Bradley Shonkwiler to:
4 Paws for Ability, Inc.
253 Dayton Avenue
Xenia, Ohio 45385
Note: I highly endorse 4 Paws for Ability as a source for extremely well-trained service dogs. The organization is sound and its goals exceptional. Judy Vorfeld.