ABTC

Friday was agreat day at Autism Behavorial Treatment Center. Salt Lake K9 brought a few of the dogs they have been training and we got to bring Stella for Cameron's class mates to meet. He was so excited to see her when I brought her in. All of the kids were excited to see the dogs, not all of them wanted to touch them, but they were excited to see them. I am not sure if I have explained the reason we are getting a service dog for Cameron. Cameron likes to be in the same room as someone. He doesn't have to be engaged with that person, he just wants to know someone is there with him. He does not do well with change, he gets frustrated and upset if anything in his routine gets messed up. We all know change is unavoidable, so our hope with Stella is she will be the one thing constant in Cameron's life so change might be a little easier. She will go with us everywhere, church, the store, his school and even sleep with Cam. Another thing Stella will learn to to keep track of Cam. He likes to escape and run away. He has gone into our neighbors house, wandered off in the store and tried to escape at school. Stella will learn to follow him and let us know where he is by barking or trying to herd him home. One of the other dogs that was at Cameron's school is a reciently graduated service dog. His name is Fritz and his owner is Michael. Michael has autism but is higher functing. He works a few nights a week at target and is able to take Fritz with him. Michael told the kids how he can work and function better with Fritz by him. It is amazing the effect these dogs have on people. We as a family LOVE Stella. She is a great and loving dog. She is getting bigger and it is fun to see her learn and grow. We will keep you updated on her and her progress.

We just got in some awesome bracelets that we are going to be giving these away with any donation over $3. We will be at strut your mutt with Salt Lake K9 and they will be selling these for only a dollar! hopefully by then we will also have some t-shirts made up and ready to sell. Cant wait to see you all wearing these around!

5k & 1 mile fun run!

Keep October 6, 2012 open for a fun day. We are having our first 5k & 1 mile fun run in Lehi Utah. You can register for the race at www.active.com and search for Paws for the Cause. It's $20 for adults and $15 for kids. There will be prizes, face painting, treats, bounce houses a silent auction and raffle to help raise money for families to get service dogs. Ryan Olsen who is our service dog trainer, will be there with our dog Stella and several others dogs he is training. If you can't make the race but want to donate you can at any Mountain America Credit Union under Cameron Bateman's donation fund or using PayPal on this blog. We appreciate all of your support and love.

Progress

We are loving Stella being in our home.  It is so fun to see her personality.  Cameron and her run all over the place together.  Stella spends a few days with the trainer, Ryan Olsen and the rest of the time with us.  Cameron sure misses her when she is gone. Stella is learning fast.  She can sit, stay, lay down and if she is told to say, she does pretty good to stay until she is released.  We are excited for the 5K and 1 mile fun run coming up in October.  Keep checking the blog, there will soon be a post by Ryan Olsen, the trainer of these amazing dogs, and from some of the other families he is working with.  If you want to sign up for the race PAWS FOR THE CAUSE AUTISM SERVICE DOGS... the link is on the blog, or go to active.com

Meet Stella!

Stella is the newest member of the Bateman family.  We are so excited to have her with us.  She is a Lab/Golden mix and is in training to be a service/therapy dog for Cameron who has autism.