“ Emmy was trained to obeymy commands. If Itoldher to stop while Iwas shopping or talkingtosomeone she wouldn’ tmove,” Gabrielle says.“ This was so critical becausewhen Harry got older and stronger he becamealmost impossible to handle. He could already outrun me when he wasonly 5or6years old.”
RESCUED DOGS MAKING AN IMPACT
Emmy was avery fearfuldog when rescuedfrom TexasbyMerlin’ sKids, a nonprofitorganization headquartered in MidlandPark. Its mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and train shelter dogs to work as certified service dogs for childrenand people with awide varietyofspecial needs. They include autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorderand traumaticbrain injuries. Emmy was rehabilitated and trained specifically to work withHarry.
“ Our goal is to ensure that service, therapy or companion animals are availabletoeveryoneregardless of financial circumstance,” saysJanice Wolfe, adog behaviorist andfounder of Merlin’ sKids.
Theorganization has rescuedand trainedmore than 1,000shelter dogs to work as servicecompanions. This costs between $ 8,000 and $ 10,000 per dog and there is awaiting listof special needs childrenwho would benefitfrom aservice dog. Wolfesays that canine graduatesofthe Merlin’ s Kidsprogram arehighly trained and highly specialized.
“ Right now we aretrainingtwo dogsfor kids ages 9and 11 with brittle bone disease. These kids can crack arib or breaktheirspines justbybending over,” Wolfesays.“ When these kids fall, theydon’ t just break one bone theymight break eight bones – it’ sareallyscary condition.”
COURTESYOFMERLIN’ SKIDS
28 SPECIAL PARENT | 2016 EDITION 201magazine. com / family