Licks 4 Liam! Because he is getting a Service Dog!
Liam's journey has been brave, daunting, complex and overwhelming. We have exhausted so many emotional and medical resources, attempting to provide the very best quality of life for Liam. His autism spectrum disorder, early onset bipolar disorder, frontal lobe deficits and a seizure disorder have simultaneously tried to kick his butt. He has collectively spent well over 30 weeks in the hospital in the past 6 years, but he is a fighter!
He defies the odds over and over, leaving us no option but to up the ante and continue searching for solutions to a challenge we won't let win! Liam often needs 24 hour support and his disorders have left him horribly anxious and scared. He hates to be alone and even showering can be daunting. Simple things like going to the store or falling asleep at night is challenging, BUT there is a new solution!!! Liam is getting a Service Dog to help support his deficits and empower him to lead a more functional life! However we need help!
I am not great at asking for help, but I guess loving my child has pushed me out of my comfort zone! Liam has always found comfort in animals; in particular his guinea pig, Jedi and our cat, Phineas.
So when desperately searching for solutions after Liam's terrifying, most recent hospitalization, I vowed to think outside the box! I can't put into words what it's like to contemplate the concept of losing your child. The desperation and complete & utter despair have changed something inside me that I know will never be the same. I am a different version of myself and a very wise woman told me that I am "settling into the yuck". I believe her experience and wisdom is correct but this yuck is what is propelling the fighter inside me; because Liam continues to fight, so must we!
We are working with a fantastic team, Lori & Jack Grigg, owners of Paradise Dog Training, who can specifically train a Service Dog to accommodate Liam's high level of diverse needs. This amazing service dog will function as both an Autism Service Dog and a Psychiatric Service Dog, while simultaneously lending support during Liam's potential seizures. As I'm sure you can imagine, this type of complex service dog is very expensive to obtain! Liam is over the moon about this new angel companion being trained and we begin the process in early May. It is a long endeavor; taking at least a year. However, we are realistic in knowing Liam's struggles aren't short term, so this is a long term solution! Please help us raise monies and awareness! Help SUPPORT LIAM in obtaining his service dog.
UPDATE!!!! Meet Cleopatra!!!! She is our angel-in-training!
Cleopatra is completing her initial training with her INCREDIBLE, AMAZING AND LOVING foster family, Lauri and Bill Serchak! They have been committed to Cleo, and our family, over the last 9 months, helping her become super-pup extraordinaire! On April 3rd they successfully passed the Therapy Dog International Certification! This could have never happened if it weren't for the dedication of Lauri and Bill! Cleopatra is now one step closer to becoming a Certified Service Dog!
We are so excited! She should be coming to live with Liam and our family by the end of summer! She is going to bring balance and security to an otherwise uncertain world! We are so grateful for everyone's support! It absolutely takes a village and ours is a blessing beyond words!
Liam's journey has been brave, daunting, complex and overwhelming. We have exhausted so many emotional and medical resources, attempting to provide the very best quality of life for Liam. His autism spectrum disorder, early onset bipolar disorder, frontal lobe deficits and a seizure disorder have simultaneously tried to kick his butt. He has collectively spent well over 30 weeks in the hospital in the past 6 years, but he is a fighter!
He defies the odds over and over, leaving us no option but to up the ante and continue searching for solutions to a challenge we won't let win! Liam often needs 24 hour support and his disorders have left him horribly anxious and scared. He hates to be alone and even showering can be daunting. Simple things like going to the store or falling asleep at night is challenging, BUT there is a new solution!!! Liam is getting a Service Dog to help support his deficits and empower him to lead a more functional life! However we need help!I am not great at asking for help, but I guess loving my child has pushed me out of my comfort zone! Liam has always found comfort in animals; in particular his guinea pig, Jedi and our cat, Phineas.
So when desperately searching for solutions after Liam's terrifying, most recent hospitalization, I vowed to think outside the box! I can't put into words what it's like to contemplate the concept of losing your child. The desperation and complete & utter despair have changed something inside me that I know will never be the same. I am a different version of myself and a very wise woman told me that I am "settling into the yuck". I believe her experience and wisdom is correct but this yuck is what is propelling the fighter inside me; because Liam continues to fight, so must we!We are working with a fantastic team, Lori & Jack Grigg, owners of Paradise Dog Training, who can specifically train a Service Dog to accommodate Liam's high level of diverse needs. This amazing service dog will function as both an Autism Service Dog and a Psychiatric Service Dog, while simultaneously lending support during Liam's potential seizures. As I'm sure you can imagine, this type of complex service dog is very expensive to obtain! Liam is over the moon about this new angel companion being trained and we begin the process in early May. It is a long endeavor; taking at least a year. However, we are realistic in knowing Liam's struggles aren't short term, so this is a long term solution! Please help us raise monies and awareness! Help SUPPORT LIAM in obtaining his service dog.
UPDATE!!!! Meet Cleopatra!!!! She is our angel-in-training!
Cleopatra is completing her initial training with her INCREDIBLE, AMAZING AND LOVING foster family, Lauri and Bill Serchak! They have been committed to Cleo, and our family, over the last 9 months, helping her become super-pup extraordinaire! On April 3rd they successfully passed the Therapy Dog International Certification! This could have never happened if it weren't for the dedication of Lauri and Bill! Cleopatra is now one step closer to becoming a Certified Service Dog! We are so excited! She should be coming to live with Liam and our family by the end of summer! She is going to bring balance and security to an otherwise uncertain world! We are so grateful for everyone's support! It absolutely takes a village and ours is a blessing beyond words!