A Match Made in Heaven
"Dear Tiffany,
I am writing you this letter to update you on all of the progress we have made in the last four and a half years with tears streaming down my face. Oh how far we have come! From being kicked out of grocery stores, nasty stares in restaurants and comments such as "What a spoiled kid!" Colin was 6 at the time, and needed a different avenue besides medication to help him manage his Autism and anxiety. A service dog seemed like a great idea and thus we began the work of being accepted and fundraising. At long last we received the phone call we had all been waiting for and a trip to Tennessee from Ohio was in our future. As Colin and I waited in the conference room for you all to arrive, my anxiety was through the roof. How the heck was I going to manage all of this? And then this beautiful Goldendoodle strutted through the door, tail up high and tongue hanging out. Colin's eyes got huge and a smile immediately spread across his face. In that moment, I just knew this was meant to be and Jonas was destined for us.
Fast forward and now Colin is 15 and Jonas is about to turn 6. Our lives have been forever changed. Jonas will never know how much he has helped our kid! I used to dread the grocery store, now we walk in and Colin and Jonas take the lead. They go off in a different aisle as Colin looks for items we need independently. I would have never thought I'd be able to leave my child alone anywhere, but with Jonas, I don't have to worry.
I cannot count the number of times that people have asked if we are training Jonas and our response is "No, he is ours, he is doing a great job isn't he?" No one can tell our son has silent issues going on. Jonas gives Colin the confidence he so desperately has sought after. Jonas is a miracle worker. He offers our family a sense of calmness. Our two daughters are ages 13 and 2 and are both able to give Jonas commands to help Colin should the need arise. Jonas and Colin are inseparable and we can't imagine our lives without him. Thank you Wilderwood for giving us another option and our son his independence!
Sincerely,
Shannon"
Colin and Jonas leading the way
Best buddies
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