Atlas is a bright and determined 6-year-old boy with a deep love for learning, discovery, and hands-on exploration. He is especially drawn to science and enjoys figuring out how things work. Atlas has hyperlexia, giving him an incredible ability to read and a natural fascination with letters, numbers, and words. He also loves to build and create, especially with LEGO, kinetic sand, and clay. He moves through the world with curiosity, creativity, and a perspective that is entirely his own.
Atlas is autistic and also lives with Spina Bifida and epilepsy, which affect his mobility, balance, and endurance. He wears leg braces and uses a wheelchair for longer distances. Atlas also has a severe speech delay, which can make it difficult for him to express his needs, especially when he feels overwhelmed or is in unfamiliar environments. In those moments, frustration and anxiety can build quickly, leaving him feeling lost in a world that often moves faster than he can communicate.
A service dog through W.A.G.S. 4 Kids will provide Atlas with mobility support, including bracing and stability, while also offering constant emotional grounding and reassurance. His dog will be a steady, calming presence, helping him feel safe, understood, and more confident as he navigates school and everyday life.
Atlas has the sweetest soul and a quiet strength that inspires everyone around him. He experiences the world in his own beautiful way, and when he feels safe and supported, his personality shines: playful, loving, and full of wonder. A service dog will be so much more than a helper. It will be his stability when his body feels unsure, his comfort when the world feels overwhelming, and his loyal best friend through it all. With a service dog by his side, Atlas will have greater freedom, confidence, and independence to keep exploring the world and growing into the incredible boy he already is.
You can also mail a check or money order to:
W.A.G.S. 4 Kids, 112 East Center Street, Berea, OH 44017
Please make a memo that your donation is for Atlas