June 16 this year was Father’s Day. Dads may have been celebrated with a cookout, day on the golf course, or new tie, among other things. The love and appreciation for fathers was felt across the U.S., but here at W.A.G.S. 4 Kids we don’t think one day of honor and recognition is enough. Dads should be celebrated all year long.

For the dads that we have met through W.A.G.S. 4 Kids, we realize they have their own set of challenges to navigate when it comes to parenting. These dads are providers, protectors, advocates, warriors and friends for their children. Having a child with special needs means medical and therapeutic appointments that can be tough to attend for working dads supporting their family, no matter how badly they want to be there. Even if they cannot attend those appointments, they advocate for their child to insurance companies, doctors and specialists, ensuring their child is receiving the best care. The father of a special needs child might find themselves comparing their family life to what other families have going on, even when they know deep down that each child and family is unique, having their own strengths and challenges. These dads protect their children ardently, making sure they are treated fairly whether it be on the playground, at a store, or at family get-togethers. One of the main focuses for a dad of a child with special needs is to be certain their child can be as independent as they can be, setting them up for a future of possibilities.

For all dads, their life’s goal is to do all they can to raise their child to be the best they can be. For the 15 years that W.A.G.S. 4 Kids has been placing mobility disability and autism service dogs with children, our W.A.G.S. dads have shared their stories when it comes to their children, and we never get tired of hearing them. Below are some experiences from W.A.G.S. dads about their hopes for their children, and how their children have been impacted.

Dad, Ted about his son Logan (autism):

“We wanted a service dog to help Logan with his anxiety, controlling his emotions and learning to connect with others. Logan is learning responsibility by helping to care for Rockford. He is also proud to show other people his dog. Logan seems to be less anxious by having Rockford with him. They are definitely building a bond with each other.”

While Logan was proud of his dog, Ted was proud as a father watching his son grow and his life improve while forming a bond with service dog Rockford. Finding inclusion is something that children with special needs can struggle with, and every parent wishes for their child to be able to form special bonds. Rockford helped Logan be able to connect with others and feel included while lessening his anxiety. The combination of these things is helping Logan grow to be the best individual he can be, with his dad proudly watching him improve along the way.

Logan with service dog Rockford.

Dad, Johnathan about his son, Robbie (autism):

“I’ve got two autistic boys. [Having a service dog] allowed us to go places where we couldn’t previously go. It has just improved our lives to no end. We went on a mini family vacation to Cedar Point because we wanted to test and see how much of the stimulus would affect the kids and we wanted to see whether or not CeeCee would help us there. We had an absolutely wonderful time. It allows us to do the things that other families do.”

Robbie struggles with anxiety when it comes to crowds and loud noises. In certain situations, he displays STIM behaviors, sometimes covering his ears, moaning and rocking. Robbie’s brother was also diagnosed with autism, and service dog Cupcake (known to the family as CeeCee) has helped both of them improve, as Jonathan noted about their family getaway. Cupcake’s training to perform tasks prompting STIM behavior interruption helped not only Robbie and his brother enjoy a place where they might have encountered some obstacles, but also helped their Dad to enjoy a memorable experience with the family – something all families should be able to do.

Dad, Vince about his son, Myles (cerebral palsy):

“He [Myles] couldn’t speak very well at all. They trained AJ all in sign language. He had over 20 or 30 different signs that AJ knew that Myles could communicate with him.”

Myles was non-verbal, and because of the connection with service dog AJ, he began to overcome barriers when it came to his cerebral palsy. During their time together, Myles began to speak and eventually started to communicate to his service dog, AJ. This advancement led him to be able to communicate with his family and others as well. A child speaking is a profound moment for any parent, but it can have much more of an impact for parents like Vince that have children with special needs who may need more time and therapies to be able to speak.

Dad, Jason about his son, Jacob (autism):

“Actually, the first night we got Ryken, Jacob slept in his own bed, slept with the dog in the room, and slept through the night. Jacob used to only sleep 2-3 hours per night, but once we got Ryken, he started sleeping the normal 8 to 9 to 10 hours sometimes. It definitely makes things a lot easier with Mom and Dad getting sleep – it helps the rest of us function.”

Like Jacob, many children with autism experience chronic sleep problems. With service dog Ryken in the picture, Jacob’s sleep improved, which not only helped Jacob but his parents as well. The change was noticed immediately by Jason, giving him some relief knowing Ryken was making an impact with his son and that Jacob was improving. More hours of sleep meant less stress, less meltdowns, and better quality of life for the entire family.

Jason (left) with wife Angie, son Jacob and service dog Ryken.

Among these different families and stories, one thing is clear: for a father, nothing is better than seeing your child grow, advance, find inclusion, and overcome any challenges they may be facing. Today, this month, and every month we salute all dads, especially those who have let us become part of their lives and part of their family.

This Father’s Day and beyond, we want you to remember: You are not alone; we understand; we recognize that you are doing your best; we are proud of you; your stress is our stress; your celebrations are our celebrations; we send you lots of love and support; and you will always be a huge part of the W.A.G.S. 4 Kids family tree.