It was the spring of 2019, and I vividly recall meeting Hazel's parents - alongside Josh, NEO Director of Training - as the very first time that I got to experience what the dog trainers do. This step in the process. The discovery....the possibility....the leap of faith. I remember noticing the little things - the lock on the front gate that they said they needed replaced because Hazel had figured out how to get through. The way that her siblings looked out for her, and embraced her as only those with true understanding ever could. And I remember every question that the parents asked - both in anxiety and anticipation of what was to come, and how Josh answered them without pause.
Hazel was an energetic, bright and loving 7-year-old girl in need of a service dog to keep her safe outside of the home and to support her emotional and developmental recovery from epilepsy surgery. Diagnosed with a catastrophic form of epilepsy called Infantile Spasms at age 1, Hazel and her family spent a year trying medications and a special diet to treat her increasingly dangerous and frequent seizures – up to 20 per day. At age 2, she underwent brain surgery to remove two lobes on the right side of her brain which has resulted, thankfully, in nearly complete seizure freedom.
Hazel’s journey hasn’t ended there. She suffers from global developmental delay, sensory processing disorder, speech delay, perseveration, and critical impulsivity that puts her personal safety at risk when outside of the house.
Hazel is loving and affectionate, and she loves her older siblings best. They love and care for her, but “normal” family outings had been a severe stressor on the family, frequently forcing changes in plans and limiting activities. Hazel is prone to emotional outbursts when transitioning environments, frequently in public places. These behavioral issues cause her family to need to have patience and stop everything to care for her safety. Now, with Karma by her side, he is tasked to assist in calming her and providing her sensory input.
"Hazel and Karma have definitely bonded. Throughout the Pandemic, Karma has been a great walker buddy with Hazel that has helped her get out safely. Hazel's empathy and compassion are seen in her care for Karma. Hazel learns responsibility by feeding Karma and caring for him. When Hazel needs to calm down we send her to Karma to love on and talk to. " - Allie, Hazel's Mom
It is a very Thankful Thanksgiving for Hazel, Karma and the entire family, thanks to your ongoing support of W.A.G.S. 4 Kids’ programs and children - you are the reason we can continue helping children with special needs.
Check in next Thursday for the second part of our 2021 “A Thankful Thanksgiving” blog series.
If you’d like to change the life of another child in Hazel's name, please click the button below to make your online donation today. Together we are “Growing Possibilities, One Child at a Time.”