Every November, we pause to share stories of gratitude — stories that remind us why this mission matters and the quiet, powerful ways a working dog can shape a child’s world.

This year, we’re giving special thanks for one of our Central Ohio families, a region whose stories don’t always get the spotlight they deserve. But Anna’s story is one worth returning to. Many of you first met Anna three years ago, when her family shared what daily life looked like for her before a service dog was even possible.

Where Anna Started

When Anna’s parents first shared her story with us in 2022, they described their daughter as sweet, social, and full of heart — and struggling in ways that shaped nearly every part of daily life.

Around 12 months old, Anna began losing the words she had gained. She stopped turning to her name. The sparkle that showed up so easily in social moments didn’t translate into communication, and everyday sensory input — sounds, textures, food, clothing — started stacking against her.

By age two, their calendar wasn’t just busy; it was built around therapy.
Speech. OT. Specialists. Evaluations.
Again and again, they heard, “She needs more support.”

By age three, her parents made a major decision:
They packed up their lives and moved to Columbus because they knew she required services they couldn’t access where they were living. They didn’t move for convenience. They moved for Anna’s future.

The diagnoses followed: autism, generalized anxiety disorder, ADHD, auditory processing disorder, and expressive/receptive speech delay. None of these labels defined Anna, but they explained the pieces her family had been holding together for years:

• Anxiety that made transitions overwhelming
• Sensory overload that turned simple routines into battles
• Communication delays that made expressing needs difficult
• Challenges navigating environments that “should” have been simple
• Fear of sleeping alone
• The inability to participate in everyday childhood moments without extensive preparation

These weren’t occasional hurdles.
These were the variables Anna woke up with every day.

And still — she worked.
Every appointment.
Every therapy session.
Every “let’s try again tomorrow.”
She met each one with the same gentle determination that defines her.

But effort alone wasn’t enough.
Anna’s parents knew she needed support they couldn’t provide on their own — a steady presence who could help her regulate when anxiety spiked, settle when sensory overwhelm took hold, and stay engaged long enough to participate in the moments that mattered.

A dog wouldn’t replace her effort; it would help make her effort work.
It would give her the grounding she needed to stay in the moment, move through transitions, and return to herself when the world felt too big.

That’s what they hoped for when they applied.
That’s what led them to this partnership.

And in March 2025, that support arrived — quietly, naturally, at exactly the right time.
His name was Leo.

A Partnership That Found Its Rhythm Quickly

Anna and Leo connected early in the way that matters most for families like hers: grounded, steady, and real. Her posture softened. Her breathing eased. She leaned into him without effort or prompting.

Her mom texted us soon after:
“These two are falling in love.”

That gentle connection became the foundation for everything that followed.

A Year of Trying, Growing, and Showing Up

Their family had a Disney trip planned long before Leo came into the picture. What changed wasn’t the trip itself — it was how supported Anna felt while she was on it. Leo provided predictability in unpredictable spaces. He gave her a place to rest, a rhythm to follow, and a sense of grounding that made the experience more accessible and more enjoyable.

Back home in Central Ohio, the summer unfolded with the kind of slow, meaningful progress that families cherish: training sessions with Nick, daily routines, and one unforgettable hike in Hocking Hills, after which her mom wrote:

“Leo loved Hocking Hills and these two are falling in love.”

These are the kinds of moments donors help create — participation, confidence, shared joy, the ability to show up in the world with support that steadies rather than limits.

The First Day of School — A Real Measure of Impact

In August, Anna and Leo walked into school together for the very first time. The image from that morning is simple and honest: a girl standing beside her dog, headphones on, backpack ready, taking the first steps into a day that once required enormous emotional effort.

Three weeks later, her mom sent a quiet update that said everything:

“He’s going all week, all day — and they’re doing great as a team. Just wanted to share.”

This is what access looks like.
Not one moment — but daily participation.
The ability to stay, engage, and return tomorrow.

That’s the heart of our mission.
That’s the impact donors make possible.

The Everyday Moments Tell the Real Story

The moments we love most aren’t always the milestones.
Sometimes it’s Anna curled up against Leo on the floor.
A morning routine that goes more smoothly.
A calmer bedtime.
A girl who feels safe, steady, and understood.
A dog who knows exactly where he needs to be.

These are the quiet victories — the ones families feel deeply and donors make possible.

Why We Are Thankful

We are thankful for Anna — for her courage, her resilience, and her willingness to keep trying.
We are thankful for Leo — for his steadiness, intuition, and calming presence.
We are thankful for Anna’s family — who have moved mountains to support her growth.
And we are especially thankful for our Central Ohio families — whose journeys remind us that access, dignity, and participation are essential to childhood.

This is gratitude in action.
This is what access feels like.
This is why your support matters.
This is why we do the work.