Hugh's Service Dog

News Article via Denver Gazette Hi Everyone, as you may know, our Hugh was the victim of child abuse in September 2019 at the hands of a non-familial babysitter. He suffered extensive injuries that will continue to be part of his life including a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), specifically his left side hemisphere was left damaged from the front of his head to the back. This injury alone leaves Hugh with limited mobility as his right leg does not have the same range of motion as his left leg. Additionally, after two years of weekly physical and occupational therapy he still has not regained function in his right hand; the right arm range of motion is improving but it still sits at an angle when in rest and his hand remains clenched naturally. Hugh has no peripheral vision, the TBI caused damage to his optic nerve resulting in a loss of vision that cannot be rectified with glasses or other eye care.

 

Thankfully Hugh survived and doesn't have as many effects as we were first presented. He is a loving, happy, strong, resourceful young boy. Although he walks with a limp he gets out there and attempts sports and anything he can. He is resilient, he has never let the lack of his right arm impede his continued growth, he has adapted to being left-handed and finds a way to do things others do naturally with two hands. For example, he catches a ball using his one hand and chin, carries multiple things under his chin, or uses his mouth to hold items. He works daily to overcome his injuries with speech, physical, occupational, and behavioral therapists. In fact, he is actively learning how to get dressed on his own with the one hand but a mobility support dog can be trained to help him.

 

While on this journey we have learned a lot; about Hugh, about ourselves, and about the power of community. We know that people care and want to help when asked. Today we are looking for help in raising funds to take Hugh's recovery to the next level, getting him a Mobility Support Dog. This type of dog will be trained specifically to Hugh's needs allowing him to complete tasks which are difficult or impossible to do on his own. Part of his skills will include forward momentum pull, counterbalance, item retrieval, open doors, turn light on/off, alarm alert, and daily functions of living such as getting dressed. His dog will be his partner in life, helping him to continue to become more independent and mobile.

 

We have already connected with a professional, local, family-owned dog training facility who is happy to provide a dog for Hugh and support his independence. They have a potential fit for us as early as Thanksgiving hence we are looking to get help in raising the necessary funds. All funds raised through this campaign will go towards acquiring the dog and any associated supplies.  Any funds received in excess of purchasing/training the dog will go towards Hugh's medical bills, long term support needs or college fund.  Thank you.