Posted by: Patrice Walsh
Tuesday, 7/15/08 3:02 pm - Before Bentley came along, 17 year old Lyndsy Bayer would often wander from her Webster home, sometimes getting lost in the woods behind the house. Can you imagine having that worry as a parent?
Lyndsy is severely affected by autism. She was diagnosed at the age of 5.
The 17-year-old also spoke very little before her four-legged canine service dog came into her life. Now she is using more words and is focusing on her dog. Trainer Dianne Long from All-Purpose Canines, has spent the past six days training Bentley to watch over Lyndsy. She says the two bonded immediately.
They share an emotional and physical bond. And they both wear ponytails.
Bentley wears one to teach Lyndsy to keep her hair off of her face.
Dianne spent months finding the perfect service dog to work with Lyndsy. She settled on the two-year old labradoodle because of his easy-going personality. I have done many stories on service dogs helping people. This one, really touched me more than any other. Even in the hour we spent with Bentley and Lyndsy, I could see how the dog calmed her down and made her open up. She spoke words which her Mom says doesn't happen that often.
I cannot imagine what Irene Bayer and her family have gone through since Lyndsy's diagnosis. Worrying about her wandering. Not sleeping at night. Now with Bentley by their daughter's side, they can finally close their eyes at night and get some sleep, knowing their daughter is in good hands. I should say, good paws.
The Bayers are grateful to the community for helping pay for Bentley.
They raised 16-thousand dollars through a fundraiser. Their efforts helped transform a 17-year-old girl's life and as her mother puts it: "brought her back into our world."
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