Lauren is a 5 yr old loving little girl. She was born 4 weeks early and because of being premature she had and still has complications. She was born 3 lbs 5 oz and had an antibody that ate her red blood cells making her bleed into her brain and eye. She had to have 5 platelet transfusions. The bleeding into her eye gave her some vision issues. She had hypersensitivity from being premature. Her nerves did not form completely and made everything so sensitive that cuddling with her or showing her love caused her irritation. Lastly she was diagnosed with bilateral sensory neural severe hearing loss. She went and had tubes place into her ears at 3 months old then when that did not work to restore hearing they fitted her with hearing aids for a year but they did not work and made her miserable. Finally she underwent 2 different surgeries for bilateral cochlear implants. She now hears many many things.
Lauren could benefit from a service dog with regards to speech and the calming reaction a dog could have on her. This would provide us the opportunity to teach her how to care for and live with a service dog so that she can be independent later.