What a Doodle Can Do.

[Mary Walker]

Okay as per request...here ya go Leigh. There is a little boy in Canada that we placed a dog with in June. This little fellow was only three but severely Autistic. Beautiful, sweet little boy. They decided after seeing his face light up when dogs would come on TV that he might benefit from a dog. There are only two service orgs in Canada that train Autism Support Dogs and they both charge in excess of 19,000 dollars. Waiting lists were about two years. So, somehow through God's will they found me and I accepted them into the program immediately. This boy's biggest problem was getting from point A to point B safely, and without melting down, screaming, or begging to be held. Going on about 40 lbs he was getting too heavy for mom. Who knew if a dog would help or not but hey...let's try right? I began to search for a dog just like I am for this other little boy. Kendra Vestal from Noble Vestal Kennels in Indiana stepped forward and donated a doodle for this little boy. Months and months of training later we were off. I want you to know, that on day two, this little boy who had accomplished walking maybe 25 feet in his whole life walked 1/2 a mile with his Doodle "Buddy". Day three we went to a shopping mall and he walked all around for an hour looking at everything. He had a blast while we were all in tears. Anyway, here is a picture of that historic walk. If you don't notice anything else, look at the smile on this kids face!

[Ginny Nightingale]

Terrific story! Beautiful doodle and beautiful boy--so inspiring! Keep up the great work!

[Cam & Oski]

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful experience with us! It just reminds me how lucky we are on a daily basis when someone's world is completely changed with the help of these wonderful doods & they wonderful people who love them. DK is the source of good tears & sad tears but mostly good ones :)

[Holly Paterniti]

As a Special Education Teacher, I want to thank you for finding this beautiful little boy a companion like Buddy. You and Kendra are the BEST......................to see his face is so sweet :) I have tears of happiness shedding for him. Buddy and him are going to have a GREAT time growing up together. There are no more words I can say, but THANK YOU Mary for helping him and a THANK YOU Kendra for donating Buddy to help him accomplish these life skills he could not before Buddy. I am choked up with happiness and words...........................

[Mary Walker]

Thanks for the compliments. I am sincerely considering starting my own breeding program so I don't have to go on a desperate search everytime I need a dog. Right now, as orders pile up I am actually looking for three. Sigh... I have been given a lot of good leads here though and I am in the process of checking them out so I can continue to help these kids. I love them and I cannot tell you how much I love doing this work. I ignored the calling for years thinking I could not make it go, but I am learning differently. I always respected the special ed teachers at the school I taught at, but I guess I am more of a one at a time and individualized person. I don't know what I would do with more than one or two LOL!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Thanks so much for the wonderful story and for being you! Wonderful amzing you!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

The only thing I can say ois 'O M G' - what a lucky little boy AND his Doodle!!