That has been our most frequently asked question to date. And believe you me, we are ready for him whenever he is ready for us!
The process to train a service dog can take up to 2 years. As soon as we sent in our contract in June, they started training a group a dogs, one of whom will hopefully become Atticus' dog. We had to fill out numerous personality assessments regarding Atticus as well as long questionnaires that will help the trainers know exactly how they need to train the dog in order to best help Atticus. In addition, we have to send videos periodically of Atticus doing things he enjoys as well as things he finds challenging. We also have to periodically keep a 3 day journal of every single activity and any behaviors/challenges/issues we experienced.
They require families to raise their money in 9 months because there is a chance that a dog in a previous group could be a match for your child. So the earliest we could get a dog would be March of 2014. However, the latest could be late spring of 2015. we are definitely hoping for the earlier date! Some of the specific things the dog will be trained on are: TRACKING. We have had some concerns about Atticus wandering off or running into a situation (traffic) without realizing the imminent danger. The dog would be trained to chase him and take him down in a careful manner. He also gets very curious and if he were to wander off and come into contact with dairy or egg (which cause an anaphylactic reaction for him) - it could be fatal. So if he were to wander off, we could give the dog a command and he could locate Atticus in a very short matter of time. Another helpful thing the dog will be trained to do with a simple command: take/knock something out of his hand that he is not supposed to eat. This will be really helpful in those times where we are across the room and he starts to eat something that isn't safe to eat (food allergies, etc.).
There are a million more wonderful ways the dog will help Atticus, I will touch on more next time.
Thank you for reading and as always -- thank you for helping us reach our goal!!! God bless you!!!
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Getting settled in.
Happy fall everyone! I am sorry it has taken us so long to post a blog update.We have been getting settled back home. Home school has been in full swing and we have been busy! Unfortunately this past week a nasty stomach virus paid a visit to each member of our family but thankfully we are all better now!
About 2 weeks ago, I got the "official-official" word from the non-profit that we have met our financial goal for Atticus to get his service dog!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!! I know I have said this probably 100 times... but I can't begin to tell you what an emotional and spiritual journey this has been for our family! Each time I recount the story to a friend and/or stranger - I am again overwhelmed by God's power and glory.
As you may remember we had one fundraiser scheduled when we realized we had already met our goal. At the strong urging of the friends who sponsored it - my precious friend Kora and her equally precious friend Shelia - we kept the date set. The full amount we've raised so far all goes to the non-profit to help cover the cost of raising and training the service dog. None of that covered any costs we will incur when traveling for our training and/or initial costs for the dog (supplies, food, vet bills, etc.). Kora and Shelia felt that it was important to keep the date and for all of the proceeds to go toward those costs.
So, Kora and Shelia sponsored a Premier Jewelry party held by Premier dealer, Allison Efimenko. I honestly had the most fun I've had in a very long time. And I must say - I was so overwhelmed and so touched at the generosity and kindness from each lady at this party - and even those who were not able to attend but sent a donation anyway! I still get emotional when I think of the Premier dealer, Allison. She is a mom just like me except to 4 sweet kiddos, 3 of whom have rheumatoid arthritis. She herself suffers from the disease in addition to Celiac's disease. She started selling Premier Jewelry to help pay for the major medical costs associated with her sweet children. Just listening to her speak, I felt like she herself could use a fundraiser and here she was donating 100% OF HER PROFITS to my child. I cannot begin to tell you the emotion that came over me that night and still does. AND - she insisted on donating 10% of all of her sales for the next 6 months to Atticus and his dog. Needless to say -- through the generosity and kindness of all of these wonderful people, our travel costs are covered as well as any initial costs we should incur with the dog.
When we are matched with our dog (it could be as early as April 2014 or as late as April 2015), we are completely prepared to pack up and head to Maryville, TN where we will stay in a hotel for 7 days while we undergo intense training to handle our new companion. We feel so incredibly blessed.
So many of you have reached out to us wanting to help in some way. Many had been planning to wait until Christmas or later to make a donation. Please know that we know how much you love Atticus. Also - please know how much we appreciate your generosity and kindness. At this time we are no longer accepting any donations. We feel that God has blessed us beyond belief. However, it you would like to make a donation in Atticus' honor to another child at Wilderwood, you can contact them directly at 865-660-0095 or through their website at: www.wilderwood.org.
Until next time, God bless each of you.
About 2 weeks ago, I got the "official-official" word from the non-profit that we have met our financial goal for Atticus to get his service dog!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!! I know I have said this probably 100 times... but I can't begin to tell you what an emotional and spiritual journey this has been for our family! Each time I recount the story to a friend and/or stranger - I am again overwhelmed by God's power and glory.
As you may remember we had one fundraiser scheduled when we realized we had already met our goal. At the strong urging of the friends who sponsored it - my precious friend Kora and her equally precious friend Shelia - we kept the date set. The full amount we've raised so far all goes to the non-profit to help cover the cost of raising and training the service dog. None of that covered any costs we will incur when traveling for our training and/or initial costs for the dog (supplies, food, vet bills, etc.). Kora and Shelia felt that it was important to keep the date and for all of the proceeds to go toward those costs.
So, Kora and Shelia sponsored a Premier Jewelry party held by Premier dealer, Allison Efimenko. I honestly had the most fun I've had in a very long time. And I must say - I was so overwhelmed and so touched at the generosity and kindness from each lady at this party - and even those who were not able to attend but sent a donation anyway! I still get emotional when I think of the Premier dealer, Allison. She is a mom just like me except to 4 sweet kiddos, 3 of whom have rheumatoid arthritis. She herself suffers from the disease in addition to Celiac's disease. She started selling Premier Jewelry to help pay for the major medical costs associated with her sweet children. Just listening to her speak, I felt like she herself could use a fundraiser and here she was donating 100% OF HER PROFITS to my child. I cannot begin to tell you the emotion that came over me that night and still does. AND - she insisted on donating 10% of all of her sales for the next 6 months to Atticus and his dog. Needless to say -- through the generosity and kindness of all of these wonderful people, our travel costs are covered as well as any initial costs we should incur with the dog.
When we are matched with our dog (it could be as early as April 2014 or as late as April 2015), we are completely prepared to pack up and head to Maryville, TN where we will stay in a hotel for 7 days while we undergo intense training to handle our new companion. We feel so incredibly blessed.
So many of you have reached out to us wanting to help in some way. Many had been planning to wait until Christmas or later to make a donation. Please know that we know how much you love Atticus. Also - please know how much we appreciate your generosity and kindness. At this time we are no longer accepting any donations. We feel that God has blessed us beyond belief. However, it you would like to make a donation in Atticus' honor to another child at Wilderwood, you can contact them directly at 865-660-0095 or through their website at: www.wilderwood.org.
Until next time, God bless each of you.
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