A Dog For Ben
Donation protected
My son Ben loves trucks. He likes to go swimming with his friends. He likes to go on scooter rides around our neighborhood while wearing his sister's old pink helmet. Ben is amazing. He is loving, kind, hilarious and friendly. Ben has Autism.
While Ben has made amazing progress through therapy and school with his speech and social skills, other areas have gotten harder. Ben has started eloping (running away and not responding to stop or come back). It is absolutely terrifying.
Only a week ago, Ben figured out the lock on our glass door and took off down the sidewalk and into the street. He did not respond to my screams and only stopped when I could physically get to him and hold his hand. This event really scared our family and we had to find a solution.
We found one.
Ben needs a dog. Ben needs the companionship and security of a dog. Not only would the entire family absolutely love to have one, but there is the opportunity to train the dog to specifically respond to Ben's needs.
Eloping. Sleeping. Meltdowns. Friendship. Responsibility. Patience.
A trained emotional support dog would check off all of those boxes and more. It is the absolute perfect answer.
After a LOT of researching and phone calls, we have found an amazing organization that trains dogs specifically for children with autism. They have a few candidate dogs in mind for Ben and we are heading down to Virginia this weekend to meet them.
We have always wanted a dog and a support dog was an unobtainable dream that we could not possibly afford.
What was one a want, is now a need. A necessity.
Ben needs this.
Our family needs this.
Any donation, big or small, is so greatly appreciated.
If a donation is not possible, a good thought or prayer is equally as important.
Thank you so very much for taking the time to read our story.
Love,
Stefanie, Mike, Amelia and Ben
The Hatmaker Family
While Ben has made amazing progress through therapy and school with his speech and social skills, other areas have gotten harder. Ben has started eloping (running away and not responding to stop or come back). It is absolutely terrifying.
Only a week ago, Ben figured out the lock on our glass door and took off down the sidewalk and into the street. He did not respond to my screams and only stopped when I could physically get to him and hold his hand. This event really scared our family and we had to find a solution.
We found one.
Ben needs a dog. Ben needs the companionship and security of a dog. Not only would the entire family absolutely love to have one, but there is the opportunity to train the dog to specifically respond to Ben's needs.
Eloping. Sleeping. Meltdowns. Friendship. Responsibility. Patience.
A trained emotional support dog would check off all of those boxes and more. It is the absolute perfect answer.
After a LOT of researching and phone calls, we have found an amazing organization that trains dogs specifically for children with autism. They have a few candidate dogs in mind for Ben and we are heading down to Virginia this weekend to meet them.
We have always wanted a dog and a support dog was an unobtainable dream that we could not possibly afford.
What was one a want, is now a need. A necessity.
Ben needs this.
Our family needs this.
Any donation, big or small, is so greatly appreciated.
If a donation is not possible, a good thought or prayer is equally as important.
Thank you so very much for taking the time to read our story.
Love,
Stefanie, Mike, Amelia and Ben
The Hatmaker Family
Organizer
Stefanie Hatmaker
Organizer
Eldersburg, MD