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Boy to receive star quality helper canine
Adam Blackmon and his dog are expected to grow up together. Diagnosed at age 2 with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Adam is a student in a life skills class at North Lamar. He basically is non-verbal, has significant social impairments and no concept of danger or dangerous situations. After a search of more than a year, which included financial hurtles with service dogs for the disabled costing up to $15,000, the family contacted Arfkids, a group which specializes in placing Rin Tin Tin descendants with special-needs children at a cost of only about $250, Holly Blackmon said. “Adam gets anxious in strange places, and our hope is the dog will make him more independent,” his mother said, adding the dog will provide a safety factor. “I will have peace of mind knowing he has a very large dog accompanying him.” The 8-week-old puppy is expected to grow up with his master as both canine and family receive special training. “We will be matched with a veteran trainer, who will help us train the dog to Adam’s specific needs,” Blackmon said, explaining she wants residents to be aware there will be a boy and a German Shepherd dog growing in age and size in the community. “We won’t send the dog to school with Adam until he is completely trained, a process which could take several years,” the mother said. The Blackmon family plans to set up a booth at Kids Safe Saturday this spring to inform other parents who might have special needs children about Arfkids.
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