It is time for Four more Paws for Simon!  As Simon prepares to enter high school — a big and exciting new chapter — Service Dog Hardie is preparing for a well-earned retirement. After six years of faithful service, Hardie will transition into his next role: cherished family pet.

Hardie has just turned seven and has been a faithful worker for six years.  As is to be expected, Hardie is slowing down and experiencing some medical challenges. Therefore we turn our thoughts towards his retirement. Hardie will continue to work for only a little while longer. It is time to look to the future and what that will look like for Simon.

We have partnered with 4 Paws for Ability again for a new Service Dog.  The new dog will be trained in autism support/behavior disruption and have mobility training.   A younger, energetic dog will also match Simon’s unending energy.   The cost of a fully trained service dog is $40,000.  However, 4 Paws for Ability makes service dogs more accessible for families and participates in a partial payment model, covering half the cost. In our situation as a returning family, we are tasked to fundraise $13,000.   Once our fundraising is complete, we will enter the wait/match phase of 6-12 months. Then we will again attend class and train (and bond) Simon to his new dog.  Hardie willl then transition from service and adopt his new spoiled pet role.

Simon and Hardie have been the dream team since March of 2020.  Receiving Hardie Dinero was the catalyst for Simon to grow in every way imaginable.  From non-verbal to speaking, from feeding tube dependent to eating by mouth, from medically fragile to stable and from elopement to independence. All the tasks that Hardie performs have impacted Simon’s growth – cognitively, developmentally and physically.  Hardie isn’t just a companion and best friend, but he’s a bridge between a world that one felt unreachable to the life Simon now leads.  Hardie brings comfort in chaos, laughter in the quiet, a sense of safety in an unpredictable world and acceptance in the 'Autism.    Simon’s attachment, love and friendship to Hardie are something to behold.  Hardie has walked beside Simon through daily challenges, school days, appointments, therapies, hospitalizations, and milestones. He has provided safety, independence, and confidence in ways we can never understand or fully put into words. Because of Hardie, Simon has been able to navigate the world with greater comfort, courage and stability.  Because of Hardie, Simon has THRIVED.

Hardie can never be replaced, as he is a cherished member of the family. But he sure has earned his retirement.  And I can't wait to see what the future holds for Simon and his next Service Dog. 

Thank you for your support.

 #growsimongrow

Training a service dog to meet our child’s requirements can be very costly. On average it costs between $40,000-60,000 to raise, train, and place a service dog at 4 Paws for Ability. While 4 Paws for Ability fundraises to help cover a significant portion of this cost, families are tasked with raising $20,000 of that amount or $23,000 if receiving a poodle, doodle or papillon. We hope that we can receive assistance from our beloved family and friends to help make our service dog dream a reality.