As parents, we want to do the absolute best we can (within our resources and abilities) to help our children be the best they can be. No matter if they are neurotypical or neurodiverse, we all want the best for them. I don’t think that this changes from birth to adulthood and beyond. Parents, it’s what we are. Those of us who have children with extra needs and who need extra support, that desire for them to be the best they can be doesn’t change. We don’t ever settle for “that’s all they are capable of” or “they won’t ever be able to…”. We seek more help, more supports, other answers. Again, trying to provide the best we can for our kiddos. 

As parents of kiddos with special needs, we seek out professionals. We add therapies and services, even specialists into our regularly scheduled program. Always seeking the absolute best care, help and therapies that we can. Hoping that each one provides for and helps set our kiddos up for success. Often times we are asking ourselves what more we could be doing. What other help is there that we don’t know about? What help is there that we have not yet added into our lives to help our kiddos be all they can be. Then, one day we see a service dog, we hear about a family with a service dog, or we happen to run across a story about a service dog who helped a child. That story sits with us. We think about it. We research it. We wonder if it will be of ANY help or benefit to our child or family. 

We decide to explore this possibility…Not knowing where this will lead us…

When looking into a service dog for our kids, there is a lot to consider. Parents may ask themselves: Will the dog help? Are our child’s needs severe enough to warrant a dog? Will the dog bring even more attention to our child or family when out in public? Is this really the best thing for our child? What about other children in the family, how will they respond? Will there be jealousy? How will this work with the dog going to school? What vet do we use? Do we have support from service providers, family, and friends? The list can go on and on. 

Once it is decided to move forward with the process and fill out the application, the dreaming begins. Some parents may begin dreaming and envisioning life with a service dog. Others might begin thinking about and planning all the outings they couldn’t do before. Questions of how the dog will help their child in school, out of school and in the day-to-day routines begin to arise. Thoughts may begin to surface on how this animal, once settled into the family, will change things for everyone in their home. While there may still be a little bit of worry and wonder as to if this is the right thing to do, dreams grow, and hearts swell with the possibilities ahead. 

After what feels like forever, the day comes, and you get the call that your child’s dog is ready to come home soon. You finally get the name of the dog that will be joining your family. You start checking off the items on the list of things needed before the come home. You get a comfy bed, shiny new bones, have your kiddo pick their dogs collar and leash, food bowls and more. This is really happening, and you may begin to feel nervous but extremely excited and looking forward to what is to come. Your dreams of changed lives is going to become a reality. 

This is real, it is happening, and magic is about to begin…

Do YOU have a question? A topic you want us to dive into or a story to tell? Write us! info@wags4kids.com