Local Family Hopes to Obtain Dog for Autistic Child
View Mobile Site
Save Email Print
Posted: 10:11 AM Jan 5, 2009
Local Family Hopes to Obtain Dog for Autistic Child
As any family raising an autistic child knows... It can be a difficult journey ... But there are modern therapeutic ways that can help.
Reporter: Rhiana Huckins
Email Address: rhiana@wtvy.com
width:200 and height: 150 and picwidth: 200 and pciheight: 150
Font Size:

11 year old Ruben Spice is like any typical 6th grader...

He watches TV, plays with his siblings, and climbs trees... The only difference is, he does it all with Asperger's Disorder.

It may be a *mild* form of autism, but there are still plenty of challenges.

"He still has roadblocks and issues, especially behavioral issues" says Eileen Charette, Ruben’s Mother.

Those behaviorial problems could be curbed with the help of an autism service dog.

"4 paws for ability" helps families with autistic children by bringing specially trained dogs into their lives.
The canines help in a protective and therapeutic way.

"It gets 400 to 600 hours of training which includes search and rescue with tracking, includes being able to identify hazards like water- pools, lakes, ponds, urban hazards- like crossing the street, and it would be able to go out in public with us." Says Charette

"I am very hopeful and excited about this dog, I am really sure it will help me a lot." Says Ruben.

Ruben and his family have raised more than 2 thousand dollars so far with the help of local organizations.
They are still more than 10 thousand dollars away from getting the dog, but plan on having more public fundraisers.

This dog will be the first autism service dog in the Wiregrass area.
Until then, Ruben will wait patiently and with the help and support of his family, will overcome his obstacles.

"It seems like we will conquer this one, but there is another issue that will come up and we'll have to work on that, but he is a great kid and he is so smart." Says Chip Charette, Ruben's Stepfather.

Related Links
V-Day Couples Giveaway Tile
Click Here For Rachaels Tips & More
Tom West Company Search Listing Virtual Tours
Contests and Promotions
The Holiday of Love
Turn on to recipes & ideas to for every special someone.
Learn more about the heritage of Black History Month. See the heroes and history makers.
It's tax season!
That means numbers, receipts & a few headaches!
Jeffers Pet Page
Pet News, Care Tips, Shelters & Contests
Double Dollar Deals
Save 50% from local merchants.
Durden Traffic Cams
Click and see congestion on the Circle
Comcast.com
Click to see where Comcast has the Wiregrass covered!
Pet Look-a-Like Winner