All the preparations

November 2012 - Read Joe's press release, well with the help our our church Women's Group, many private donors, The Foundation for Challenged Children and the Hutchinson Lioness', we have made it to our goal of $13,000 donation.  

January 2013 - We have received notification that we will be in the December 2013 Graduating Class.  We have now submitted a video that includes our home, our family and other dogs, Joe at school and in the community.  And now we wait.

August 2013 - We received our "Match Form" kind of funny questions that I actually had to ask Joe for some of the answers like what kind of hair do you like...smooth, soft, long, curly...he said he didn't care any kind is fine with him.  But they also asked good questions like can your dog drool, jump on you, play ball with you, etc.  And Joe was very matter of fact with his answers.  

We have also book our hotel near Xenia, Ohio which is a suburb of Dayton, as we now have actual dates to be in training...Dec. 2-13.  So we will leave sometime on Nov. 30 to arrive Dec. 1 and get a good nights sleep, we hope, before meeting Joe's dog. We are planning to stay Dec. 13 and head back to MN on Dec. 14.  Praying for good driving weather...snow can wait until we get back please. 

The Foundation for Challenged Children has contributed again, they have helped us purchase fencing materials for our backyard to keep Joe and his dog safe, so our next project is putting the fence up.  We have done some work with free and inexpensive materials we have gotten off of Craigslist, so now we wait for the heat to break so we can work at it and get it done.  Pictures coming soon.

Sept. 2013 -  The fence is going in...formal letters have been sent to school to start the process of letting Joe's dog to school with him, now we wait for a meeting, and nesting is happening at home, we are cleaning, cleaning, and bargain shopping, so far we have a kennel, a couple chew bones, poop bags with a carrier to clip to leash and 100 tennis balls (some of them are being donated to 4 Paws).

Oct. 2013 - Excitement is building, I think Joe is finally realizing that our trip is coming soon and getting is dog is a reality, although we probably we won't have a picture and know which dog until a week or two before we travel...then it will be real for Joe, with out knowing which dog I think he's still confused and wondering if this is going to ever happen.

Joe's Press Release

 

I want to be free…to be me!

Hi, I’m Joe Hruby and as you CAN’T tell I have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome the “Invisible disorder.”  So let me tell you what you can’t see.  I’m10 years old and in 5th grade, I was going to a special school over an hour from my home, because most schools and teachers where I live don’t understand me and my disability.  After lots of training and getting to know me, I am now at my home school district, but not without struggles.  I get easily confused, over stimulated and frustrated and at times can get very angry and violent, I don’t mean too, it just happens, and I don’t like it.

 I need an “external brain” to help me get through my day. My external brain is usually my mom or dad, a teacher, paraprofessional, or my personal care attendant.  They have the job of continually supervising me and making sure that I am safe and within my boundaries and that I know what is expected and help me through a skill or task without getting mad.  Even with their help I still get frustrated and over stimulated, I throw things, tip over chairs, slam doors, and sometimes hit and kick people in my way.  Loud noises, especially fire alarms, sirens make me very anxious they really “hurt my ears.”   I also have a difficult time focusing in crowded places like malls, restaurants, and church because of the noise.  

 I’ve seen many different doctors and therapists about my behaviors, some have helpful ideas others just want to put me on medication.  My mom and dad say there is no research to prove that medication could or would help me, so I am medication free. Yeah!  Then my mom read the book “My Invisible World” by Morasha R. Winokur and said “Joey needs a service dog, that will be his medicine.”  So from the book we did some research into 4 Paws for Ability and found our answer.

 A FASD Service Dog would allow me to remain medication free, give me some independence by being my “external brain” sometimes, and a dog could comfort me, calm me, keep me safe and play with me. 

WE NEED YOUR HELP… 4 Paws for Ability is a non-profit 501(c)(3) located in Ohio.  Me and my family are partnering with 4 Paws for Ability to raise the $22,000 to raise and train my dog to meet my needs. You can find out more about FASD services dogs and help by making a tax deductible donation to 4 Paws for Ability in honor of Joey Hruby at : www.4pawsforability.org  or by mailing a check to:

4 Paws for Ability                                                                  
In Honor of Joey Hruby
253 Dayton Ave.
Xenia,Ohio45385                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

 
4 Paws for Ability

MN Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Email Sandy