Gizzy "Guardian" Guire

Today has been a busy but very blessed day. Besides Gizzy coming into our lives, I have been flooded with questions about her! So what better way to explain our Gizzy story than to BLOG!

When planning the FireFly 5K run, a dear friend said, "Why don't you make this fundraiser for Teagan to get him a service dog?" I thought about it...considered it...but felt in my heart that the FireFly 5K needed to focus on the needs of all kids, not just specifically Teagan.  This is the reason that the money raised was donated to Autism Speaks. This money was intended to help all kids like Teagan and their challenges brought on by autism. The FireFly 5K was also focused on awareness...not on the needs of Teagan but on the myths and misconceptions the general public has about autism. The FireFly 5K brought together 250 runners and their families and raised close to $10,000 in the name of autism awareness. It still amazes me that a small little town like Longview, Texas, a few dedicated volunteers, and a community of supporters pulled off one of the biggest autism 5K's in East Texas. Teagan is one lucky little boy for many reasons and at times I feel that it is our calling to promote autism awareness for ALL kids not just Teagan.

An autism service dog comes with a $15, 000-$20,000 price tag. Danny and I have gone back and forth about getting Teagan a service dog. First, the price is a consideration. This is $15K-$20K out of pocket...no price breaks, no tax breaks, and no discounts. Secondly, the need of this dog is a consideration. We ask is Teagan in a real need of a service dog? Will a service dog help keep him safe from his wandering? Will a service dog help reduce the self simulation (AKA stimming) that he does daily? Will a service dog help reduce the meltdowns that Teagan experiences daily? And Finally, the wait. Service dog companies train THEIR dog and then place it in a home of need. The waiting list are longer than a wait at Wal-mart on Black Friday! We could wait for years!! And generally dogs are assigned on an "as need basis" based on the severity of the case. Since Teagan is mild and high functioning, he is not placed high on these list.

This morning a beautiful, youthful Lab/Golden Retriever pup wandered into our yard. She was bright eyed, cheerful with a sweet disposition. She also had a microchip tag. I called the tag company  who indicated that the ID# I reported was for a Lab/Golden Retriever mix named Gizzy! I was connected with the owner, who told a story of how Gizzy was now an inconvenience in his life. He indicated that he in the oil business and was now traveling from East Texas to South Texas for work. He travels often and usually for long periods of time. His girlfriend was in charge of Gizzy but had moved this week into an apartment that did not accept pets. She then gave Gizzy to a friend who had decided today that they did not want Gizzy and were planning to turn her over to the pound on Monday. Gizzy ran away- just in time! Gizzy has been cared for and vaccinated by the owner. She knows a handful of commands and is wonderful with kids. When the owner said to me on the phone..."She is a wonderful dog, but I do not want her" my heart broke for her...but my mind began to race. Gizzy has the exact temperament of a service dog. In addition, autism service dogs are generally Newfoundland, bloodhound, border collie, Yellow Labs, or golden retrievers.

Many of our friends have asked today: "what will a service dog do for Teagan?"

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Behavior	Response
Self Stimulation	Will Signal Handler to Behavior, Handler May Choose to Stop
Self Harming	Will Interrupt Behavior
Overstimulation/Meltdown/Shutdown	Deep Pressure Tasks: Step on Foot, Paws on Lap, Lie on Handler
Poor balance/motor control	Counter-balance, brace for stability
Disorientation	Find the car, go home, find other specified places
Auditory Processing Problems	Alert to important sounds
Visual Processing Problems	Guide Work - steer around obstacles
Wandering	Follow the child, alert guardian, redirect child back home.

Most service dogs are trained as pups and spend their lives servicing a special needs individual.  The dogs must be good with kids, energetic, and love people. Gizzy is all of these things!! Since researching service dogs and trainers for a little over a year, I realized that Gizzy is a perfect match for this responsibility! She is just what Teagan needs. I contacted a trainer I had read about in California and he agrees that Gizzy was born to be Teagan's service dog. I am now looking for a local service dog trainer to help with her training.

It is no accident that Gizzy showed up in my yard today! She could have picked any yard in our neighborhood...but she picked Teagan's house! I have been overwhelmed with dealing with insurance and paperwork and appeals. Gizzy is such a bright light for us today and for years to come! Silent prayers of the heart have been answered.