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Boy to receive star quality helper canine
By Mary Madewell
The Paris News
Published December 17, 2003
POST OAK — A 5-year-old boy is scheduled to receive an early Christmas present Sunday when a puppy who is a descendant of Rin Tin Tin shows up at the Henry Blackmon home.
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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