Matthew & Wyatt, A DogWish Success Story
DogWish Service Dogs Transforming Lives!

DOGWISH'S FIRST CERTIFIED AUTISM K9, NOW A SEIZURE ALERT & MOBILITY K9
(Written 8 years ago by Scott Lachemmeyer)

When you have a 13- year old boy who has autism and epilepsy, doesn’t speak, sign, use the toilet, and lives with his own world, controlling yours, it can be overwhelming.  Surviving through each 24 hour day, (since Mathew doesn’t have a time table), can be tough.  I have a full time house keeper, a devoted wife, and two other boys who help me constantly and consistently, and at times it’s not enough.  We have been asked by the State to institutionalize Mathew numerous times, and as he has grown older, when we thought it might get easier, it has instead become harder.  The thought of adding to the confusion with a family dog has been “out of the question” for us.  We couldn’t even watch a television show.

Acting on the insistence of my wife, we in June asked Bob Taylor to bring over a trained dog, and let us observe the dog around our son.  It was hard to do.  I was scared for everyone, including the dog.  Bob came and spent three wonderful hours in our home.  The dog spent every minute here with Mathew, running, playing, and loving him.  I couldn’t believe it.  Bob thanked us for the time, and left with the dog.  It was like somebody cut a hole out of our hearts.  Two weeks later we met the young son of the trained dog Bob had brought over, and fell in love like it was fate.  Wyatt has been in our home for 5 months now, and Mathew is completely different.  He listens, uses signs, makes sounds, is responsive, plays by himself contented with the dog, goes shopping anywhere as long as Wyatt is there, is quiet, controllable, and often, fun.  Wyatt, Mathew’s first friend ever, goes to where Mathew is, loves him, plays with him, and is bringing him back to us.  It’s a miracle.  We all love, play with, work with, and enjoy Wyatt, who has changed our lives.  He is the most superbly trained animal I have ever seen.  I can’t believe how much he has changed our world, our lives, and brought us peace, joy, and love.  We CAN’T THANK YOU, BOB, ENOUGH , for this wonderful dog and friend. 

-Scott Lachenmyer

UPDATE NOTE: Last month Kim Daily, Scott's wife called, and we were reunited.  Kim asked, and I am retraining this dog as a Seizure Alert, and Mobility K9 for her.  What a joy to see my beloved pup, who now is so beautiful and regal, after 8 years of service, and to work with him again.