Emma was born on September 15th, 2020, after an easy and joyful delivery. She was a sweet, happy baby who met her early milestones. But by around 6 months old, we began to notice signs that something might be different. She could sit in front of the TV for hours, calm and content not playing with toys or the things around her. Emma experienced frequent, chronic ear infections and, by 18 months, was saying only a few words. By this time when she was upset, her tantrums were long and difficult to calm.
Emma received two sets of ear tubes and eventually had her adenoids removed, which were blocking 90% of her eustachian tubes. We had hoped that this would support her speech development, which in turn might ease her frustration and emotional outbursts. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Her speech and emotional regulation challenges continued.
She received support through Help Me Grow until age 3, when she transitioned into her district’s preschool program with an ETR and IEP and a receptive and expressive language delay diagnosis. While she was deeply supported by her teachers and therapists, it became clear she needed a more specialized environment. On February 2nd, 2025, Emma was officially diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder — a day that brought tears of relief, fear, and hope. We dove into research and found Bridgeway Academy, a school for children with autism and developmental disabilities. From her first week, Emma blossomed in ways we never imagined. She was surrounded by people who understood her and who gave her the tools to thrive.
Emma is energetic, curious, and full of personality. She is always moving, always expressing herself, and always feeling everything deeply. But with that passion comes big challenges:
- sensory overload
- sudden meltdowns
- difficulty regulating her emotions
Her dysregulated moments can include crying, screaming, running to hide, or hitting herself. In those moments, she struggles to self-soothe or feel safe.
The idea of a service dog came from her preschool teacher, who noticed how calm and engaged Emma became when the service dog visited. Emma started using new words like “dog,” “puppy,” and “sit.” She tried to take the handler’s leash and proudly showed the dog to her peers. Her interest wasn’t just fleeting — it was the beginning of a real connection. At home, we saw the same thing. Emma formed a bond with her aunt’s dogs — trying to feed them, put on their leashes, and even lay with them inside their crates. Emma would will sit talk to them as if they were her best friends (even though we have no idea what she is saying). These moments showed us that dogs reach Emma in a way that nothing else can.
We believe W.A.G.S. 4 Kids is the perfect organization to help lead Emma to her perfect match — a service dog trained not just for tasks, but for partnership. We hope this dog will provide deep pressure therapy, behavioral redirection, and support with social interactions. We also believe this dog will help bring a sense of safety and security for Emma and our family — especially in public. We no longer take Emma to stores like the grocery store or Walmart because they are simply too overwhelming for her. The meltdowns, sensory overload, and stress became too much for all of us. We believe a service animal can provide structure, support, safety, and — most importantly — independence for Emma. We don’t yet know what her future will hold, but we know this dog will be a steady, loving, and transformative presence in her journey.
You can also mail a check or money order to:
W.A.G.S. 4 Kids, 112 East Center Street, Berea, OH 44017
If mailing a check - please note that your donation is "for Emma" in the memo line.