Our son Jasper came into our lives through foster care, and he has shown incredible strength in the face of many challenges. Jasper is 12 years old and has been living in a residential facility at Calo Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, where he receives support for autism, attachment disorder, PTSD, and ODD. During his time there, Jasper has found comfort and healing through the facility’s therapy dog, which has made a remarkable difference in his daily life. The companionship and support of the dog have helped him cope with anxiety, especially at night, and have given him a sense of safety and calm.

Jasper’s journey has not been easy. Before coming to us, he experienced abuse, and nighttime remains the hardest for him. He is very scared to sleep in his own room by himself, and having a dog nearby has helped him sleep through the night without fear. The therapy dog at the facility has been a constant source of comfort, and Jasper has shared how much it helps to have a dog lay with him or cuddle when he feels anxious or overwhelmed. As he prepares to come home, we learned that he does not meet the age threshold to receive his own service dog through the facility, since he is just 12 and the requirement is 13. This means we need to get him a service dog ourselves to help him transition home and continue to thrive.

Transitioning Jasper home to the safety of a service dog would give such relief to Jasper and any little bit that anyone would like to donate. We are so incredibly thankful. We are so blessed to have Jasper in our life and to have Moose join our family. May God bless you immensely.