OMG

[mattblakk]

This is so exciting I don't even know what to say!

I have managed to get a service dog for Blake. We will be spending my spring break in Portland, where we will meet the dog, I will take about 40 hours of training and a test showing I know how to adequately use the service dog.

I think we will be staying in a hotel.

Do I even know anyone in Portland these days?

Service dogs for kids with autism are pretty hard to come by, so I'm ecstatic.

Comments

[gusmacroy.livejournal.com]

Does it run errands? Do dishes? Dictation? Light filing?

[mattblakk.livejournal.com]

I had hoped for a critter who would do the dishes, but I guess that's what Logan is for.

[logankiefer.livejournal.com]

heh
i was wondering if i should reply saying i do dishes and such
heh

[feygele.livejournal.com]

That's amazing! Which organization hooked you up with the service dog?

Congrats!!

[mattblakk.livejournal.com]

http://feator.org/print.php?sid=138

[pywacket.livejournal.com]

how cool! what do service dogs do for autistic kids?

[mattblakk.livejournal.com]

http://www.nsd.on.ca/faqs.htm

That's the page of the canadian program after which the program that is providing Blaek's dog is modeled. The woman who runs the agency placing Blaek's dog trained with them and another agency as well.

[doublestuff32.livejournal.com]

congratulations! that is so cool! what a blessing and a relief that your kid (and you) are getting the support he needs. i'm happy for you! animal therapy is such an effective treatment. i'm sure Blake will experience some therapeutic benefits from having the dog, even though that is not the intended purpose. enjoy your vacation!

[mattblakk.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty clear that the therapeutic effect of bonding with the dog is part of the intended purpose of the dog for kids with autism. The other stuff, safety,etc is important, but I think the package deal far surpasses any individual skill the dog may have.

[doublestuff32.livejournal.com]

i had hopes that would be true...it makes total sense. i had my son in a program for a little while, before we moved, which involved riding, feeding, and grooming horses. many of the animals on that farm (horses, dogs, cats, chickens, etc) had suffered some kind of hardship and were rescued. it was good for the kids to witness three-legged dogs, blind cats, etc living independently and quite happily.

Yeow

[kugelblitz.livejournal.com]

My mom in law sponsors one of those every year, and I had no idea they trained them for autistic children too. That is totaaly great for you and Blake, Matt. Happy day!

[ftmichael.livejournal.com]

That is so fantastic! Bailey and I are psyched for you and Blake.

[derekja.livejournal.com]

That's awesome!

[moonlitglow.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's wonderful!!

We're a couple hours north of Portland. :o(

[justshannon.livejournal.com]

how exciting!

[zipotle.livejournal.com]

dogdogdog! Yay! I'm always excited when people get dogs, but this is extra neatospecialcool.
Yay!

[nineinchlovely.livejournal.com]

OOooooh! I'm so happy for you both. Hope it works out splendidly. Update with pictures please so we can see the service dog once it comes your way :) Congrats again, and do let me know if there's anything y'all need help with from afar.

best,
ri

[drunkonthemoon.livejournal.com]

Yay! Congrats!

[rowanhood.livejournal.com]

That's wonderful, Matt! Congratulations to you and Blake. :)

Yay! At last!

[kosseferal.livejournal.com]

That's going to be fabulous for both of you.




He'll have a pal and you'll have a helpmate. :D

[thedaveytrain.livejournal.com]

That is very cool...so what breed of dog is it and what's his/her name?

[mattblakk.livejournal.com]

I won't know until I get there but I'll be sure to fill you in once I know.

[cheekytubemouse.livejournal.com]

Service dogs for kids with autism are pretty hard to come by, so I'm ecstatic.

Yay! Congratulations!

[ex-trajector831.livejournal.com]

greetings, stranger.

a little bird (otherwise known as derekja on livejournal) told me about your plight. i live in north portland with two other housemates... we have two couches in our livingroom and would be happy to put you up for free if you're interested?

just in case you have rodent allergies--we have lots of pet rats.

feel free to email me at pdxbird @ msn.com and we can set everything up.

-taylor.

[mattblakk.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the offer. The whole thing seems to have fallen through. They want me to pay $10k for the service dog, and I just don't have that kind of cash. (and I'd think that would be something you'd want to tell people up front but OK, whatever)

I really appreciate the offer, it certainly would have saved us a pile of $$.

Thanks again!

[ex-trajector831.livejournal.com]

oh jeez... sorry to hear that. 10k is a ridiculous amount of cash.

well, at least now you know there's a free place for you to crash if ever you find yourself wandering the streets of portland. you're very welcome.