Service Dogs Saving Lives
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August is usually a time for back to school activities, but on Sunday one special class graduated and all students made the honor roll.
Service Dog Alabama trains dogs to assist children with certain disabilities and veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. Like Matthew Irsik; he was diagnosed with Asperger’ s Sydrome, which affects his ability to socialize and make friends.
Matthew’s mother says he always had trouble at school and even sometimes at home, but after they recieved his service dog, Hazel, he is a completely different boy.
“Service dogs of Alabama has made it possible for my son to be in mainstream education and to do well there and be comfortable,” says Ginger Henry, Matthew’s mother. “They gave us Hazel and it changed our lives.”
Not only are these dogs changing the lives of their new families, but they are also changing the lives of their trainers. The dogs are trained by inmates at Gadsden Correctional Institution in Florida. One of those inmates, Beth Dodd, believes the dogs change the lives of everyone they are around.
“I feel sometimes like I won the lottery. You know, it’s a hugely, fulfilling, enriching, value adding experience,” Dodd says. “I don’t think I’ve ever done anything that makes me feel so good.”
If Dodd thinks she won the lottery, then Ginger and Matthew have hit the jackpot with Hazel.
“She’s changed everything,’ Ginger says. “Everything for him, for our family, it’s just been fantastic.
And Matthew definitely agrees. “Um, she’s just an awesome dog.”
If you would like to help Service Dog Alabama or just get more information, you can check out the website at www.servicedogsalabama.com
