BluePath celebrated the placement of three new service dog teams and one facility therapy dog team. The graduating dogs headed home to Walkill NY, Mechanicville NY, Danbury CT, and Glastonbury CT.
“Graduation day is a milestone that never loses its magic,” said Michelle Brier, BluePath’s Chief Executive Officer. “It’s the moment we see the impact of our collective efforts – the culmination of years of dedication, love, and belief in something bigger than ourselves. We don’t just celebrate new service dog teams; we celebrate possibility, transformation, and the power of community.”
The demand for BluePath dogs is greater than ever before; one in every 36 children born today will develop an autism spectrum disorder (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). The propensity to wander or bolt is a hallmark behavior of autism and poses a significant threat to the well-being of children affected. Even the most routine trips outside the home can quickly transform into life-threatening experiences. To avoid disruption and risk, children and their families often retreat into the safer environments of their homes and experience significant social isolation as a result.
Juan Alvarez and Lisbeth Quispe, from Danbury, CT, are the proud recipients of BluePath Ginny for their seven-year-old-son, Eliam.
“Eliam has had many challenges,” said Juan Alvarez. “He is very sensitive to loud noises and if there is something he doesn’t like or gets frustrated, he instantly bolts without measuring the danger that can be.”
Service dogs are the only effective intervention to elopement in children with autism. BluePath is committed to serving children with autism and their families by providing high quality service dogs that offer safety, companionship, and independence – free of charge.
“Our first weekend with Ginny was spectacular. We went to our favorite restaurant, and for the first time in a long time, we had a family dinner without worrying that Eliam would run off or get frustrated,” said Alvarez. “Seeing Eliam with Ginny gave us a sense of peace we hadn’t known before.”
