Guest guest Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 I had so many questions about Logan's service dog that I didn't know where to begin to answer them. Instead, I have enclosed the text of a letter that we sent out to those who donated to us and supported us in our quest for a companion for Logan. I think this gives a good snapshot of how Akira helps out. If not, I am totally willing to answer more questions. _____ December 11, 2006 Dear Friends, Our journey to getting an Autism Assistance Dog for Logan has come to a remarkable end. Along the way we were amazed at the support we received from our friends, family, and congregation. We received support through donations that were greatly appreciated. But we also received something we did not expect - the support, love, encouragement and prayers from so many people. Immediately prior to Thanksgiving Week, the four of us set off to Xenia for two weeks of training with our new canine family member. The experience was at once exhausting and uplifting. From the very first day, we began to see changes in Logan. With Akira around, Logan was much less inclined to grind his teeth. Overall, he seemed more relaxed. Once she started sleeping in the bed with Logan, he started sleeping later, getting up after six instead of before five. As we progressed with the tracking training, we developed a level of comfort knowing that when Logan goes missing (and he will) we now have the tools to track him down very quickly. We have been home with Akira for a couple of weeks have seen so many things that we didn't dare to imagine. Most mornings, Logan is sleeping until 7 - a welcome shock to our morning routine. Akira cries when he leaves for school and greets him with enough licks to knock him over when he comes home. She is all puppy at home, chewing anything that looks yummy to her, but still has her senses alert to where Logan is and what he is doing. We have also been able to do some things as a family that we haven't done in years, or not at all. Two weeks in a row we have been able to go Christmas shopping with NO STROLLER. Logan is able to enjoy the sites and sounds of the holiday season without the uncontrollable need to run as fast as he can to any door he sees as he knows he is tethered to Akira. If I could read his mind, I would almost say he is relieved that he no longer has that compulsion as an option. The other truly wonderful thing we have been able to do is attend church as a family. Although this is something easy to take for granted, it is something we have come to truly cherish. We have been able to stay through two entire services since coming home. Not only have we not had to wrestle Logan, but he is comforted by Akira and able to enjoy the people and the music of church that he loves so much. Just yesterday, he was strutting around behind or in front of Akira greeting people and shaking their hands and saying " Good Morning. " He was so cute and we were so proud. Our hearts are so full of joy and gratitude. These things might never have happened without your support. Our eternal thanks, Shaugn, , Logan, Emma, and Akira (the wonder dog) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 What kind of do is AKIRA? Where did you go? What kind of training program? Sorry for more questions, but as you see form the responses, this is a subject many of us want to explore. On Jan 16, 2008 12:53 PM, L. Davenport wrote: > I had so many questions about Logan's service dog that I didn't know > where > to begin to answer them. Instead, I have enclosed the text of a letter > that > we sent out to those who donated to us and supported us in our quest for a > companion for Logan. I think this gives a good snapshot of how Akira helps > out. If not, I am totally willing to answer more questions. > > > _____ > > December 11, 2006 > > Dear Friends, > > Our journey to getting an Autism Assistance Dog for Logan has come to a > remarkable end. Along the way we were amazed at the support we received > from our friends, family, and congregation. We received support through > donations that were greatly appreciated. But we also received something we > did not expect - the support, love, encouragement and prayers from so many > people. > > Immediately prior to Thanksgiving Week, the four of us set off to Xenia > for > two weeks of training with our new canine family member. The experience > was > at once exhausting and uplifting. From the very first day, we began to see > changes in Logan. With Akira around, Logan was much less inclined to grind > his teeth. Overall, he seemed more relaxed. Once she started sleeping in > the bed with Logan, he started sleeping later, getting up after six > instead > of before five. As we progressed with the tracking training, we developed > a > level of comfort knowing that when Logan goes missing (and he will) we now > have the tools to track him down very quickly. > > We have been home with Akira for a couple of weeks have seen so many > things > that we didn't dare to imagine. Most mornings, Logan is sleeping until 7 - > a welcome shock to our morning routine. Akira cries when he leaves for > school and greets him with enough licks to knock him over when he comes > home. She is all puppy at home, chewing anything that looks yummy to her, > but still has her senses alert to where Logan is and what he is doing. > > We have also been able to do some things as a family that we haven't done > in > years, or not at all. Two weeks in a row we have been able to go Christmas > shopping with NO STROLLER. Logan is able to enjoy the sites and sounds of > the holiday season without the uncontrollable need to run as fast as he > can > to any door he sees as he knows he is tethered to Akira. If I could read > his mind, I would almost say he is relieved that he no longer has that > compulsion as an option. > > The other truly wonderful thing we have been able to do is attend church > as > a family. Although this is something easy to take for granted, it is > something we have come to truly cherish. We have been able to stay through > two entire services since coming home. Not only have we not had to wrestle > Logan, but he is comforted by Akira and able to enjoy the people and the > music of church that he loves so much. Just yesterday, he was strutting > around behind or in front of Akira greeting people and shaking their hands > and saying " Good Morning. " He was so cute and we were so proud. > > Our hearts are so full of joy and gratitude. These things might never have > happened without your support. > > Our eternal thanks, > > Shaugn, , Logan, Emma, and Akira (the wonder dog) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 Akira is a Great Pyraness/Boxer mix, but she looks like a yellow lab. We got her from an organization called 4 Paws for Ability in Xenia, OH. Their website is 4pawsforability.org. 4 Paws is a unique organization in that families raise their own money for the training of the dogs. We raised $12,000 in 4 months. It takes some people less and some longer. The do this for a couple of reasons. The first is that the waiting list can literally be years. We were accepted into the program in June and brought Akira home before Thanksgiving. The other reason is that this is an easy way to weed out those who are not really dedicated to the idea or the process of having a service dog. We (me, my husband, Logan and Emma) traveled to Xenia, which is SE of Dayton, for two weeks for training. Training is grueling, but totally worth it. Because Akira is trained in Search and Rescue, we tracked every morning after the first two days of training. This means, Logan and either me or Shaugn would go where the instructor told us to and Akira, the instructor and other parent would find them. For most of the families, it was fine, but we struggled a bit, and still do, because Logan is more likely to walk into someone's house, following the sidewalk, than disappear in the woods as his balance and walking on uneven terrain is not so good. We got some extra training tracking in a suburban area and what to do if he were to go missing in a mall. The other training was getting the dogs to listen to us (sit, come, down, etc) as well as behavior disruption and tethering. I will try later tonight to post some pictures of Logan and Akira at work. I highly recommend checking out their website - I was in tears when I found it and knew this was something we could do to make life better. _____ From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Sara Cohen Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 1:12 PM To: Subject: Re: Logan's service dog What kind of do is AKIRA? Where did you go? What kind of training program? Sorry for more questions, but as you see form the responses, this is a subject many of us want to explore. On Jan 16, 2008 12:53 PM, L. Davenport <melissad@genevasolu <mailto:melissad%40genevasolutions.com> tions.com> wrote: > I had so many questions about Logan's service dog that I didn't know > where > to begin to answer them. Instead, I have enclosed the text of a letter > that > we sent out to those who donated to us and supported us in our quest for a > companion for Logan. I think this gives a good snapshot of how Akira helps > out. If not, I am totally willing to answer more questions. > > > _____ > > December 11, 2006 > > Dear Friends, > > Our journey to getting an Autism Assistance Dog for Logan has come to a > remarkable end. Along the way we were amazed at the support we received > from our friends, family, and congregation. We received support through > donations that were greatly appreciated. But we also received something we > did not expect - the support, love, encouragement and prayers from so many > people. > > Immediately prior to Thanksgiving Week, the four of us set off to Xenia > for > two weeks of training with our new canine family member. The experience > was > at once exhausting and uplifting. From the very first day, we began to see > changes in Logan. With Akira around, Logan was much less inclined to grind > his teeth. Overall, he seemed more relaxed. Once she started sleeping in > the bed with Logan, he started sleeping later, getting up after six > instead > of before five. As we progressed with the tracking training, we developed > a > level of comfort knowing that when Logan goes missing (and he will) we now > have the tools to track him down very quickly. > > We have been home with Akira for a couple of weeks have seen so many > things > that we didn't dare to imagine. Most mornings, Logan is sleeping until 7 - > a welcome shock to our morning routine. Akira cries when he leaves for > school and greets him with enough licks to knock him over when he comes > home. She is all puppy at home, chewing anything that looks yummy to her, > but still has her senses alert to where Logan is and what he is doing. > > We have also been able to do some things as a family that we haven't done > in > years, or not at all. Two weeks in a row we have been able to go Christmas > shopping with NO STROLLER. Logan is able to enjoy the sites and sounds of > the holiday season without the uncontrollable need to run as fast as he > can > to any door he sees as he knows he is tethered to Akira. If I could read > his mind, I would almost say he is relieved that he no longer has that > compulsion as an option. > > The other truly wonderful thing we have been able to do is attend church > as > a family. Although this is something easy to take for granted, it is > something we have come to truly cherish. We have been able to stay through > two entire services since coming home. Not only have we not had to wrestle > Logan, but he is comforted by Akira and able to enjoy the people and the > music of church that he loves so much. Just yesterday, he was strutting > around behind or in front of Akira greeting people and shaking their hands > and saying " Good Morning. " He was so cute and we were so proud. > > Our hearts are so full of joy and gratitude. These things might never have > happened without your support. > > Our eternal thanks, > > Shaugn, , Logan, Emma, and Akira (the wonder dog) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 You are very fortunate. Elie had the same issues as Logan when he was younger in that he wandered and was much more likely to follow the suburban pathway and frequented others houses when he disappeared - as well as heading for paved roadways and the double yellow line. HE also would not answer when called. Many of the dog training facilities would not even consider a family with a " damaged child " . I never thought of a search and rescue dog! What a great idea! Thanks for all the info. On Jan 16, 2008 3:31 PM, L. Davenport wrote: > Akira is a Great Pyraness/Boxer mix, but she looks like a yellow lab. We > got her from an organization called 4 Paws for Ability in Xenia, OH. Their > website is 4pawsforability.org. 4 Paws is a unique organization in that > families raise their own money for the training of the dogs. We raised > $12,000 in 4 months. It takes some people less and some longer. The do > this for a couple of reasons. The first is that the waiting list can > literally be years. We were accepted into the program in June and brought > Akira home before Thanksgiving. The other reason is that this is an easy > way to weed out those who are not really dedicated to the idea or the > process of having a service dog. > > We (me, my husband, Logan and Emma) traveled to Xenia, which is SE of > Dayton, for two weeks for training. Training is grueling, but totally > worth > it. Because Akira is trained in Search and Rescue, we tracked every > morning > after the first two days of training. This means, Logan and either me or > Shaugn would go where the instructor told us to and Akira, the instructor > and other parent would find them. For most of the families, it was fine, > but we struggled a bit, and still do, because Logan is more likely to walk > into someone's house, following the sidewalk, than disappear in the woods > as > his balance and walking on uneven terrain is not so good. We got some > extra > training tracking in a suburban area and what to do if he were to go > missing > in a mall. > > The other training was getting the dogs to listen to us (sit, come, down, > etc) as well as behavior disruption and tethering. I will try later > tonight > to post some pictures of Logan and Akira at work. > > I highly recommend checking out their website - I was in tears when I > found > it and knew this was something we could do to make life better. > > > > _____ > > From: [mailto: > ] On Behalf > Of Sara Cohen > Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 1:12 PM > To: > Subject: Re: Logan's service dog > > What kind of do is AKIRA? Where did you go? What kind of training program? > > Sorry for more questions, but as you see form the responses, this is a > subject many of us want to explore. > > On Jan 16, 2008 12:53 PM, L. Davenport <melissad@genevasolu > <mailto:melissad%40genevasolutions.com> tions.com> > > wrote: > > > I had so many questions about Logan's service dog that I didn't know > > where > > to begin to answer them. Instead, I have enclosed the text of a letter > > that > > we sent out to those who donated to us and supported us in our quest for > a > > companion for Logan. I think this gives a good snapshot of how Akira > helps > > out. If not, I am totally willing to answer more questions. > > > > > > _____ > > > > December 11, 2006 > > > > Dear Friends, > > > > Our journey to getting an Autism Assistance Dog for Logan has come to a > > remarkable end. Along the way we were amazed at the support we received > > from our friends, family, and congregation. We received support through > > donations that were greatly appreciated. But we also received something > we > > did not expect - the support, love, encouragement and prayers from so > many > > people. > > > > Immediately prior to Thanksgiving Week, the four of us set off to Xenia > > for > > two weeks of training with our new canine family member. The experience > > was > > at once exhausting and uplifting. From the very first day, we began to > see > > changes in Logan. With Akira around, Logan was much less inclined to > grind > > his teeth. Overall, he seemed more relaxed. Once she started sleeping in > > the bed with Logan, he started sleeping later, getting up after six > > instead > > of before five. As we progressed with the tracking training, we > developed > > a > > level of comfort knowing that when Logan goes missing (and he will) we > now > > have the tools to track him down very quickly. > > > > We have been home with Akira for a couple of weeks have seen so many > > things > > that we didn't dare to imagine. Most mornings, Logan is sleeping until 7 > - > > a welcome shock to our morning routine. Akira cries when he leaves for > > school and greets him with enough licks to knock him over when he comes > > home. She is all puppy at home, chewing anything that looks yummy to > her, > > but still has her senses alert to where Logan is and what he is doing. > > > > We have also been able to do some things as a family that we haven't > done > > in > > years, or not at all. Two weeks in a row we have been able to go > Christmas > > shopping with NO STROLLER. Logan is able to enjoy the sites and sounds > of > > the holiday season without the uncontrollable need to run as fast as he > > can > > to any door he sees as he knows he is tethered to Akira. If I could read > > his mind, I would almost say he is relieved that he no longer has that > > compulsion as an option. > > > > The other truly wonderful thing we have been able to do is attend church > > as > > a family. Although this is something easy to take for granted, it is > > something we have come to truly cherish. We have been able to stay > through > > two entire services since coming home. Not only have we not had to > wrestle > > Logan, but he is comforted by Akira and able to enjoy the people and the > > music of church that he loves so much. Just yesterday, he was strutting > > around behind or in front of Akira greeting people and shaking their > hands > > and saying " Good Morning. " He was so cute and we were so proud. > > > > Our hearts are so full of joy and gratitude. These things might never > have > > happened without your support. > > > > Our eternal thanks, > > > > Shaugn, , Logan, Emma, and Akira (the wonder dog) > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 That's what I love about 4Paws. The founder was told she was " too disabled " for a service dog. No one is too disabled or too young at 4 Paws. _____ From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Sara Cohen Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 3:14 PM To: Subject: Re: Logan's service dog You are very fortunate. Elie had the same issues as Logan when he was younger in that he wandered and was much more likely to follow the suburban pathway and frequented others houses when he disappeared - as well as heading for paved roadways and the double yellow line. HE also would not answer when called. Many of the dog training facilities would not even consider a family with a " damaged child " . I never thought of a search and rescue dog! What a great idea! Thanks for all the info. On Jan 16, 2008 3:31 PM, L. Davenport <melissad@genevasolu <mailto:melissad%40genevasolutions.com> tions.com> wrote: > Akira is a Great Pyraness/Boxer mix, but she looks like a yellow lab. We > got her from an organization called 4 Paws for Ability in Xenia, OH. Their > website is 4pawsforability.org. 4 Paws is a unique organization in that > families raise their own money for the training of the dogs. We raised > $12,000 in 4 months. It takes some people less and some longer. The do > this for a couple of reasons. The first is that the waiting list can > literally be years. We were accepted into the program in June and brought > Akira home before Thanksgiving. The other reason is that this is an easy > way to weed out those who are not really dedicated to the idea or the > process of having a service dog. > > We (me, my husband, Logan and Emma) traveled to Xenia, which is SE of > Dayton, for two weeks for training. Training is grueling, but totally > worth > it. Because Akira is trained in Search and Rescue, we tracked every > morning > after the first two days of training. This means, Logan and either me or > Shaugn would go where the instructor told us to and Akira, the instructor > and other parent would find them. For most of the families, it was fine, > but we struggled a bit, and still do, because Logan is more likely to walk > into someone's house, following the sidewalk, than disappear in the woods > as > his balance and walking on uneven terrain is not so good. We got some > extra > training tracking in a suburban area and what to do if he were to go > missing > in a mall. > > The other training was getting the dogs to listen to us (sit, come, down, > etc) as well as behavior disruption and tethering. I will try later > tonight > to post some pictures of Logan and Akira at work. > > I highly recommend checking out their website - I was in tears when I > found > it and knew this was something we could do to make life better. > > > > _____ > > From: @yahoogrou <mailto:%40yahoogroups.com> ps.com [mailto: > @yahoogrou <mailto:%40yahoogroups.com> ps.com ] On Behalf > Of Sara Cohen > Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 1:12 PM > To: @yahoogrou <mailto:%40yahoogroups.com> ps.com > Subject: Re: Logan's service dog > > What kind of do is AKIRA? Where did you go? What kind of training program? > > Sorry for more questions, but as you see form the responses, this is a > subject many of us want to explore. > > On Jan 16, 2008 12:53 PM, L. Davenport <melissad@genevasolu > <mailto:melissad%40genevasolutions.com> tions.com> > > wrote: > > > I had so many questions about Logan's service dog that I didn't know > > where > > to begin to answer them. Instead, I have enclosed the text of a letter > > that > > we sent out to those who donated to us and supported us in our quest for > a > > companion for Logan. I think this gives a good snapshot of how Akira > helps > > out. If not, I am totally willing to answer more questions. > > > > > > _____ > > > > December 11, 2006 > > > > Dear Friends, > > > > Our journey to getting an Autism Assistance Dog for Logan has come to a > > remarkable end. Along the way we were amazed at the support we received > > from our friends, family, and congregation. We received support through > > donations that were greatly appreciated. But we also received something > we > > did not expect - the support, love, encouragement and prayers from so > many > > people. > > > > Immediately prior to Thanksgiving Week, the four of us set off to Xenia > > for > > two weeks of training with our new canine family member. The experience > > was > > at once exhausting and uplifting. From the very first day, we began to > see > > changes in Logan. With Akira around, Logan was much less inclined to > grind > > his teeth. Overall, he seemed more relaxed. Once she started sleeping in > > the bed with Logan, he started sleeping later, getting up after six > > instead > > of before five. As we progressed with the tracking training, we > developed > > a > > level of comfort knowing that when Logan goes missing (and he will) we > now > > have the tools to track him down very quickly. > > > > We have been home with Akira for a couple of weeks have seen so many > > things > > that we didn't dare to imagine. Most mornings, Logan is sleeping until 7 > - > > a welcome shock to our morning routine. Akira cries when he leaves for > > school and greets him with enough licks to knock him over when he comes > > home. She is all puppy at home, chewing anything that looks yummy to > her, > > but still has her senses alert to where Logan is and what he is doing. > > > > We have also been able to do some things as a family that we haven't > done > > in > > years, or not at all. Two weeks in a row we have been able to go > Christmas > > shopping with NO STROLLER. Logan is able to enjoy the sites and sounds > of > > the holiday season without the uncontrollable need to run as fast as he > > can > > to any door he sees as he knows he is tethered to Akira. If I could read > > his mind, I would almost say he is relieved that he no longer has that > > compulsion as an option. > > > > The other truly wonderful thing we have been able to do is attend church > > as > > a family. Although this is something easy to take for granted, it is > > something we have come to truly cherish. We have been able to stay > through > > two entire services since coming home. Not only have we not had to > wrestle > > Logan, but he is comforted by Akira and able to enjoy the people and the > > music of church that he loves so much. Just yesterday, he was strutting > > around behind or in front of Akira greeting people and shaking their > hands > > and saying " Good Morning. " He was so cute and we were so proud. > > > > Our hearts are so full of joy and gratitude. These things might never > have > > happened without your support. > > > > Our eternal thanks, > > > > Shaugn, , Logan, Emma, and Akira (the wonder dog) > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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