We started BluePath ten years ago, guided by a deep conviction: children with autism deserve greater safety, confidence, and independence, and service dogs could help make that possible.
Jody and Caroline Sandler and I shared a commitment to building something families could truly depend on. Progress was not immediate, but it was steady, and our early placements remain among the most meaningful milestones of my life.
One mom shared a moment I will never forget. Her son Alex had bolted from their car into a crowded parking lot, and a vehicle was speeding down the row. Without hesitation and without being prompted, BluePath service dog Clancy stopped him and kept him safe.Â
In moments like that, the years of careful work all become real – a crisis prevented, and a family able to exhale.
Over time, the mission took root in a community of people who recognized its importance and chose to carry it forward. This milestone belongs to the volunteers who open their homes, the donors whose generosity sustains the work, the staff and board members who give their time and expertise, and the families who trust us with what matters most.
A special note of gratitude to those who came first, who stepped forward before there was proof of concept, before there were success stories, and before the path felt certain. Their early faith made everything that followed possible.
Ten years in, BluePath is a proven model and a lifeline for families navigating autism. I’m incredibly proud of what BluePath has become – and even more excited for what comes next.
A decade of hope. A lifetime of change.Â
