Community chips in for child's autism service dog

A 10-year-old Wellington boy is on his way to a more independent life thanks to an outpouring of donations supporting his family's quest for a service dog.

Community members, including a group of Rocky Mountain High School students, helped Logan Shaver's family raise $13,500 in less than three months. The money will help the family get Logan an autism service dog from Autism Service Dogs of America (ASDA) in Portland, Oregon.

The family hopes the dog, which should come home in about 18 months when its training is complete, will help Logan experience a world that has been mostly off-limits due to his special needs.

Logan was diagnosed with autism when he was a toddler. Though his mom, Jessica Shaver, hates the term, she said Logan's end of the spectrum is considered "low-functioning." Logan is capable in many ways, but his needs are also great.

He is completely non-verbal and doesn't use sign language or any special devices to communicate, instead relying on facial expressions and his parents' understanding of him to communicate his needs. He has "absolutely zero safety awareness" and will walk into a parking lot or street without knowing what's around him, so he has to hold someone's hand or stay confined in a cart or stroller to ensure his safety.

Because Logan's disabilities aren't always apparent to passersby, Jessica said the family draws stares at when Logan acts out in public or when they're holding the 10-year-old boy's hand but not that of his younger sister Ainsley, 5, when they're crossing the street.

The family, which includes Ainsley and Logan's older sister Destiny, 15, spends much of their time in the controlled environment of their home because new places and situations are too stimulating for Logan, who is prone to self-harm when he gets agitated.

"There's a whole world out there that he doesn't really know," Jessica said. "Right now, the other kids don't really get to do much either because Logan can't handle it. We say that so many times."

That will all changewhen Logan's service dog comes home. The dog, likely a Golden Retriever or Labrador, will be trained to keep Logan safe and help him stay calm. It will be tethered to his waist at all times, giving him the support he needs to navigate the world with fewer restrictions.

Logan's application, which included letters of recommendation, a 15-minute video and a prescription from his physician for an autism service dog, was approved by ASDA in October, when the family launched its fundraising campaign.

After Logan's application was approved, the Shavers started fundraising for a $13,500 requested donation to fund approximately half of Logan's dog's training costs. Raising and training a service dog can cost up to $30,000, said ASDA Executive Director Laurel Oliver-Gilmore.

Jessica said the family opted for the organization because of it so focus on extensive training. Though some have balked at the cost, Jessica said the organization's training process and family-centered approach will best suit Logan's needs.

The Shavers will also be responsible for paying their travel costs for a week of training in Portland when Logan's dog is ready and for a trainer to come to Colorado for on-site training after the dog has acclimated to the Shaver's home and schedule.

"We've had some criticism, but I'm a very strong believer in you-get-what-you-pay-for," she said.

The day Logan's application was approved, Jessica set up a YouCaring page that has helped the family raise approximately $9,000. T-shirt sales raised another $1,400.

Click here to support Autism Service Dog for Logan Shaver

A group of students in the Family Career and Community Leaders of America club at Rocky Mountain High School joined the cause when their adviser and the Shavers' family friend Kelsey Mauch shared the family's story.

RMHS juniors Kaleigh Thrash, Erica Cordova,16, and Makayla Brown, 17, hosted a fundraising run — inspired by Logan's love of tandem racing with his dad, Joe — and a silent auction. Registration fees, silent auction sales and private donations at the event raised more than $4,000.

"Even though Logan doesn't go to Rocky, even though he's not the same age as them, those kids have extended their hearts to him and made the Rocky community his community," Kelsey said.

The students are still raising money for the family's next round of expenses — up to $4,000 to get Logan's dog home and cover additional training. Because of the organization's wait list, those steps likely won't happen until June 2018. The organization can typically pair 8-10 dogs with families a year and has provided 85 service dogs since launching in 2002.

Kaleigh, Erica and Makayla are dedicated to help the Shavers get to the final leg of the journey and plan to host several other fundraisers, including a "Logan Week" at RMHS.

"The most important thing is getting Logan his freedom," Kaleigh said.

Follow Sarah Jane Kyle on Twitter @sarahjanekyle or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/reportersarahjane.

How to help

Donate to a campaign to help cover the Shaver's travel and training expenses for Logan Shaver's service dog at http://noconow.co/dogforlogan.