In 2016 we started the process of getting on a list for Wyatt’s service dog. We knew the wait would be up to 2-3 years so we felt that Wyatt would be receiving a dog around 10 or 11 years old. Well after applying and going through a few hoops with one foundation we were at the last step and then we received a letter that said Wyatt no longer met their mission of providing service dogs for children with a disability like his. We were heartbroken and angered especially because just weeks after receiving the letter we saw a friend of ours child with DMD receive a dog from the same foundation. As always I just felt that it was a sign that that foundation did not have the perfect dog for Wyatt. At that moment we took a pause and tried to decide our next step to getting Wyatt a companion who could help him when he couldn’t do things for himself.
Then in 2016 Wyatt and I were traveling through the Gainesville airport for a clinical trial and as we sat in the small waiting area we saw a woman walk in with a tiny “service dog”. Wyatt quickly turned to me and asked, “when I get my service dog will it be like that one?” I quickly said “no” and he looked at me sad because he wanted a dog so badly. So we had a conversation about how service dogs are dogs trained to do acts that it’s person cannot do. I explained that he would need a larger dog that could pick things up for him since he may not be able to bend over and pick things up for himself. I told him that his dog would be trained to carry things that are heavier than that “service dog” he was looking at in the airport.
So as I sat in the airport I posted on Facebook about the event and it was amazing. So many strangers and friends reached out to me giving suggestions and ideas of how to make this happen for Wyatt. Then one of our friends Sean LeBlanc reached out to a network he belonged to and then the magic happened. We were put in touch with another stranger, who was going to MAKE IT HAPPEN! This wonderful angel found a breeder who would donate a full bred labrador that he sells as hunting dogs. Our angel then found a trainer in New York who was willing to train the dog for free. We could not believe how these strangers would help us, a family they never met. After 12 months we headed up to New York to get Wyatt’s service dog Wrigley. We met these strangers, Mr Joe and his wife Nermina and they let us in their home like we were family, not some strangers they just met. Wrigley and Wyatt quickly bonded and we then took Wrigley home. We had Wrigley trained a little more so he could fly with us and be comfortable even more in public. We also became quick friends with this stranger who grew to love Wrigley and our family. Kelley with Southern Hope was and still is always available if we need a little help making sure we don’t break Wrigley.
It just amazes me the kindness of strangers. So many times we just take for granted the little things. Not that this was little because Wrigley is the biggest blessing for Wyatt and actually all of us. Wrigley travels everywhere with us and we get so many compliments on how beautiful he is...thanks to the breeder and how well behaved he is...thanks to Joe and Kelley. So many times before all of this we asked ourselves why we were previously denied a dog and now we know...it’s because Wrigley was waiting for his boy.
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