Izaac Service Dog

This is our 10-year old son Izaac Jae Finn, born March 3rd, 2010. Izaac loves football, basketball, wrestling, swimming, physical humor, people watching, and his little sister Shelby.  He is truly the happiest, nicest human you would be privileged to meet. His smile and baby blues will light up any room and explode every heart. Izaac means "he laughs" in Hebrew and couldn't be more a perfect fit to his personality and soul. 

Izaac is also a PRE-Verbal child with Autism and Speech Apraxia. These are neurological, developmental conditions; considered disorders, that are disabling in many and varied ways making spoken language and essential life skills extremely challenging.  Izaac’s cognitive impairments do not define him, however they are part and parcel to how he engages with others and ultimately present well-being and safety concerns.

For many years we have explored partnering him with a Service Dog, and have decided to move forward with Jason Devito from Canines 4 Hope.  Please meet Belle Finn, born September 26, 2020; she is 75% poodle and 25% golden retriever.  Her name was chosen due to Izaac's love for ball-sports, and it also being one syllable. Izaac took to one of her siblings from another litter during our introduction meeting. Belle will be ready to start the bonding process with Izaac the end of November. Her training will take about ten months, and she will learn skills specific to Izaac's needs, such as:

-Advanced Obedience  & Public Access
-Canine Good Citizen
-Block & Search
-Command & Watch My Back
-Deep Pressure & Compression Therapy
-Hugs & Help On Command
-Scent Recognition Training
-Tether Training
-Anchor Training

Belle will not be a family dog, she is Izaac's Service Dog - a living medical assistive device. Wherever he goes, she will go...School, Dentist, Pizza, Boston, etc.  Due to the nature of her training requirements relative to Izaac's needs, we are looking to raise $17,000, which will cover her training as well as cost of living over the next year. Any funds raised above and beyond the goal to bring Belle home will be donated to Izaac's school, Crystal Academy .

Izaac Jae Finn is his dad's, his sister's, his entire family's....MY everything; and we are so thrilled that Belle will be able to help him reach his potential, while also protecting him with an abundance of unconditional love.

Thank you taking the time to read (and share) his story. I will post updates as their journey continues.