Here it is, close to time for Mason to become an adult. In preparing for this process we are having to make many decisions. One decision we made is to get Mason a Service Dog to assist him in his adult life.

 

A little background first...

Mason had reactions to vaccines from the beginning, that Dr's said were normal. Yet, those reactions caused him to end up with Chronic Pneumonia everytime he got sick until he was 8 years old. It caused other issues as well, like Asthma. Mason has severe allergies that complicate his asthma. Come to find out he was allergic to eggs, which were used to produce vaccines. We also found out, about a year ago, that Mason's fish allergy is life threatening.

Mason ended up with 2 surgeries by the time he was 2 years old for undescended testicles. If a Dr. had not overlooked that both sides were an issue, Mason would have only needed 1 surgery. Yet 6 months later he ended up needing another, but performed by a different Dr. this time. Then at 4 years old Mason was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, and some slight sensory issues. It took several years to get county assistance and by the time we did Obama Care came into play, which made it harder for Mason to get services he needed. He never did end up getting some of those services.

Mason is high functioning, but due to his combined diagnosis' he became aggressive as he began puberty. His aggression worsened to a point we could not control any longer by the age of 14. We tried all the meds and such that we could with no relief and a few even had major side effects. With one even causing him to have dangerously low blood pressure.

Mason's Psychiatrist then suggested that we would need to put Mason into a group home. He made it clear it was not to be an institution. After some prayer we began the process with County Regional Center to place Mason in a group home. Mason received placement within 2 weeks.

At one point we did begin to look into and start the process of getting Mason a service dog. We had to discontinue the process because Mason was going to to a group home that had an ASD boy with a history of animal abuse.

Mason is now 17 years old and his aggression has decreased. At 18 years old Mason will age out of the group home. We see potential in our son and we feel God is leading us to try and keep Mason from needing to live in an adult group home. Most people who live in an adult group home usually end up regressing and never being able to care for themselves enough to leave. We have found that it may be possible for Mason to live on his own with assistance from the County Regional Center while receiving his SSDI and getting a job. In order to help Mason succeed as an adult we have decided to begin the process, once again, of getting Mason a service dog.

 

Training a service dog takes time and money. If we start the process now then the service dog should be ready by the time Mason needs to be moved out of the group home. To get the process started we need a deposit of $8,400 to $9,000. Once the process has begun we will have about 12 to 14 months to raise the rest of the funds, which should come to a total of somewhere between $28,500 and $30,000.

Just so you know what the funds will cover we have listed them for you.

- Purchase of a hypoallergenic puppy

- Food and Supplies for the dog

- Medical check ups and such for the dog

- Basic training and testing to be sure the puppy is right for being the kind of Service Dog Mason will need.

- Personal handling and specialized one on one training that takes time for the following things that Mason needs:

* Behavior Intervention which includes light and deep pressure therapy.

* Intervention for meltdowns, sensory issues, and overload.

* Asthma Attack detection

* Allergy detection

* Medical Procedure Intervention

* Medication reminder and retrieval

* Sleep Assistance

* Bed Time and Wake-Up reminders

- Also for 3 days of hands on training with Mason, at home, to show him how to work with and handle his new service dog in as many life situations as they can. That will include going to places that could or would cause Mason to have meltdowns, sensory issues, and become overloaded.

 

Training a Service Dog is an intense and expensive process that is well worth it in the end. In a way it is a treatment for some symptoms of autism with added benefits. A Service Dog was recommended by his Dr. as well. So, with your help, Mason may be able to live a normal life outside of a group home.

We know God will provide the funds we need. With the help of generous and caring people like you to help the process along we will meet our goal. Unfortunately your generous donations will not be able to be tax deductible.

 

In case you are interested in doing your own research into Service Dogs in order to learn more about their benefits or you know someone who may need one we have listed the website below of the Trainer we have chosen.

 

Thank You,

DeEtte - Mason's Mom

 

www.loyaltyservicedogs.com