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KENDALLVILLE — Wayne Center Elementary School has a new student this trimester.
His name is Jefferson, and he walks the hallways, the classrooms, gymnasium and cafeteria on four paws. When he’s wearing his harness, Jefferson is all business. When the harness is off, he’s like most rambunctious, playful Labradors.
Jefferson is a specially trained autism service dog for 12-year-old Kelsey Fogle, a sixth-grader with multiple disabilities including autism. Kelsey is partially deaf, her speech is impaired and she can see only shadows in her right eye, but she moves about the school like other students with Jefferson’s assistance.
“She’s doing great,” said her life skills teacher Suzanne Bouvier. “The dog has made a difference.”
Kelsey was the topic of a series of The News Sun and The Star stories in March 2009. Her parents, Rod and Marcy Fogle of Kendallville, wanted an autism service dog for their daughter but couldn’t afford the $11,000 cost.
Kendallville Middle School (now called East Noble Middle School) functional life skills teacher Tami Housholder coordinated a fundraiser at the school for Kelsey called “Coins for Kelsey” even though Kelsey was not a student at the school. In two weeks the middle school students and staff raised $2,000 for the Fogles for an autism service dog from 4 Paws for Ability in Xenia, Ohio.
Donations came in for several weeks after the fundraiser.
Employees at the Walmart Distribution Center in Garrett where the Fogles work learned of the fundraising effort and also contributed to the purchase of the dog.
The $11,000 cost for the dog was achieved through donations, and the Fogles picked up the dog in February.
Children with autism need structure. The slightest deviation from their daily schedule can upset them. They don’t understand reasons for changes. It makes them fearful and angry.
At first Kelsey was afraid of the dog, but she eventually took to Jefferson and they became close friends.
“Jefferson helps her with her balance and is trained to nuzzle close to Kelsey when she has a meltdown,” said Marcy Fogle.
“She’s had only two meltdowns since we got Jefferson when before she was having a meltdown daily.”
Wayne Center teachers explained to students Jefferson is a working dog for Kelsey and should not be distracted, said principal Karen Gandy. “The students want to pet the dog but they understand they can’t,” she said.
Jefferson wears a special harness, leash and sign identifying him as a service dog. Kelsey holds the leash and Jefferson leads the way. They go everywhere together.
The dog helps Kelsey connect with her surroundings, and his stability and companionship relieves her fear and anxiety.
Kelsey now has more independence.
The dog has a working life of about 10 years.
At home Jefferson is part of the Fogle family, and loves to run and play when his harness is off. “He’s full of energy,” said Rod Fogle. Jefferson sleeps at the foot of Kelsey’s bed.
The Fogles took Jefferson to East Noble Middle School to thank students and staff for their fundraising effort. “We’re so thankful to everyone,” said Marcy Fogle.
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